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Thursday, January 8, 2026
TopicHip hop

Topic: hip hop

Malayalam rap is having its moment—it’s gone from ‘junkie’ music to being played at temples

MC Couper compares Malayalam rap to the writings of author Vaikom Basheer. 'The state needs more cultural pillars like rap, that help young people feel connected to their roots.'

Hip hop is rising in Delhi’s Nizamuddin. Sufi spirit gets a new swag

In Nizamuddin dargah’s shadow, young rappers are giving Sufi culture a hip-hop spin. “Qawwali doesn’t let us say what we want to say. Rap gives us that space,” said rapper Umaid Abbas.

Hanumankind’s biggest collab will be with A$AP Rocky. Kalmi will produce the song

Both artists have had a great year. A$AP Rocky came out of his 6-year hiatus with the hit single ‘Highjack’ while Hanumankind made it to the Billboard top 10 with ‘Big Dawgs’.

Kendrick and Drake are warring. Surprise, surprise, women are collateral

Diss tracks are supposed to be rife with insults but this one has gone on to reaffirm the code of silence—one that even enemies are willing to uphold within hip-hop’s boys’ club.

Hindu pride hip-hop: Indian rappers are now singing about Kaali, Shiva, Kashmiri Pandits

Anubhav Shukla aka Panther calls himself a proud Sanatani. And he is a big fan of Yogi Adityanath’s development model in Uttar Pradesh. His song UP Se reflects on that.

On Camera

How artificial intelligence is reshaping terrorism and state security risks

Terrorist groups are increasingly using AI for propaganda, recruitment and attacks, forcing states to rethink security strategies.

2025 marked key point in India’s power sector: Clean energy surge pushed coal power into rare decline

Coal-based power generation fell 3% in 2025 while renewable capacity surged to 40% of India’s installed power mix, according to India Power Sector Review 2025 by CREA.

Bangladesh-Pakistan look to expand ties to defence procurement as Dhaka shows ‘interest’ in JF-17s

Pakistan military said it has assured Bangladesh of fast-tracked delivery of Super Mushshak trainer aircraft during high level defence meet held Tuesday.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.