Loha and Chamda is a rage-fuelled, reality-driven EP coming straight out of the boys who represent the traditional Hindi belt. The essence of Hindi rap is captured beautifully by Lil Kabeer, Yayati and friends. It’s Hindi Hip-Hop, not the general Desi Hip-Hop that we’re used to. The features of the act add to the theme. The touch of Bhojpuri by Shikriwal just elevates the authenticity of the track.

“Kanpur, peetal se sona nikaalta hui ek adbhut nagri.” The theme of Lil Kabeer and Yayati’s new extended play is the tumultuous background of Indian cities where life doesn’t move as fast and modern as metropolitan cities. This is a ballad of emotions coming from the Hindi heartland, an EP worthy of being called an Extended Play. If Quentin Tarantino and Kendrick Lamar had a love child who grew up in Kanpur, this is what he would sound like. The sound of the EP is experimental and derivative of Boom Bap. It sounds a lot like the Griselda sound and shows the innovation in terms of developing rhythms. The last track on the EP by Noran Beatz is a really great touch of trap to the EP.

Lil Kabeer is extremely expressive with his autobiographical account of violence, love, hate, poverty, helplessness and anxiety. Yayati follows suit with impeccable rhymes throughout the project. Something like this is unprecedented. The lyrics are profound in a manner that is gangster and conscious at the same time. Shikriwal’s verse is nothing short of greatness. The people who understand Bhojpuri would understand the pain and emotions put into that mic.

These boys aren’t representing just UP, MP or Bihar, they’re repping every small town in the Hindi heartland from Rajasthan to Chhattisgarh. They aren’t a product of metro cities and their extremely contrasting economic growth. They’re products of the simple lives entangled in complex relationships of love, hate and pride. The pride of these boys has shaped this EP, the need to leave a legacy so that they’re not forgotten, and the pride in them that motivates them to make their art the way they do. The composition of this stellar EP is a mirror image of the personalities of the artists behind it. The beginnings of this music can be traced back to the roots of the culture of this star cast. This is unfiltered underground music.

Production has been skilful

Faichan has developed a new Griselda sound which was perfect for the violent gangster rap and the instrumentals on the project were complimentary to the conscious lyricism. Overall, the project was experimental and pleasing. Every track was meticulously produced and a joy to hear.

Listen to the EP Here