Latest news with #SoorajCherukat
Extra.ie
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Hanumankind announces headline show at The Academy
Indian rapper Hanumankind will play a headline show at The Academy, Dublin on Monday, July 14. Part of his OTW Europe 2025 Tour, the performance will mark the first Irish show for the Kerala-born artist. Hanumankind, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat, grew up around the world, living in France, Nigeria, Egypt, Dubai and the UK before finally settling down in Houston. He is currently based in Bengaluru, India. A press statement said he 'will go down in history as one of the artists who introduced the world to Indian hip-hop.' Last year, Hanumankind released his high-energy track 'Big Dawgs', which became an international hit after going viral on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. Following the success of the track, Hanumankind released a remixed version with A$AP Rocky. He has cited Southern US hip-hop acts such as Three 6 Mafia and DJ Screw among his early influences. Although he raps in English, Hanumankind is widely popular in India for incorporating and promoting Indian culture through his music. In September of last year, he performed at a rally for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York. Before transitioning to music, the 33-year old earned a business degree and worked for Goldman Sachs. He has released two EPs: Kalari in 2019 and Surface Level the following year. Tickets for his Dublin show go on sale this Friday, June 6, at 10 am. You can book tickets here.
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Netflix TUDUM 2025: Hanumankind introduces Squid Game season 3 with an electrifying performance
Netflix's annual global fan event, Netflix TUDUM 2025, was lit up by Indian rapper Hanumankind, who set the tone for the night with a show-stopping opening act that has fans buzzing. The Kerala-born artist, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat, kicked off the spectacle with a fiery live performance of his hit track 'Run It Up'. Backed by Squid Game's eerie pink guards on stage, the atmosphere was nothing short of electric. The performance marked one of only two major live acts of the evening, instantly grabbing the attention of a global audience tuning in to the Tudum livestream. Netflix took to Instagram shortly after, writing, 'Red light, green light, Hanumankind @hanumankind just opened #TUDUM!' Known for his raw, unapologetic delivery and hard-hitting lyricism, Hanumankind's presence on stage drew instant comparisons to international rap heavyweights like Kendrick Lamar. His raspy vocal texture and powerful cadence made him a natural fit for an event that celebrates global pop culture at its boldest. His sound has already been embraced by the platform -- he previously co-wrote 'The Game Don't Stop' for Squid Game Season 2 in collaboration with Netflix, and his latest 2025 track was sampled in the event's trailer. As the crowd roared and the bass thumped, Hanumankind delivered a performance fans are already calling the most explosive Tudum opener yet. One viewer summed up the sentiment perfectly: 'Big energy, big stage, big moment. Hanumankind owned it.' For Indian representation on a global stage, this wasn't just a performance; it was a statement.
Mint
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Kerala rapper Hanumankind kick starts Tudum 2025 with hit ‘Run It Up'; Indian fans beam with pride: ‘Malayali from…'
Netflix Tudum 2025: The streaming giant Netflix hosted the grand annual event on May 31 at Los Angeles' Kia Forum and the OTT platform dropped a major surprise for Indian fans as rapper Hanumankind kicked off the night in style. The singer from Kerala, kickstarted the global fiesta with his popular hit rap song Run It Up, which marked one of the two major live performances. Squid Game pink guards in the foreground added to the fiery atmosphere. Earlier, the rapper, whose real name is Sooraj Cherukat, collaborated with Netflix and co-wrote the song The Game Don't Stop for Squid Game Season 2. Netflix in a post on Instagram stated, 'Red light, green light, Hanumankind @hanumankind just opened #TUDUM!' Social media users strongly reacted to Hanumankind's Tudum 2025 performance as one user stated, 'Rapper from India.' Another user remarked, 'I'm not into hiphop but watching Indians going to places in a surreal feeling.' A third user commented, 'Malayali from India.' A fourth user stated, "That proud moment." A fifth user wrote, 'Hanumankind and Gaga stole the show.' The other major highlight of the night was a live performance by Lady Gaga. The 39-year-old singer will feature as a guest star on Wednesday Season 2. She will reportedly enact the role of mysterious Rosaline Rotwood - a legendary Nevermore teacher. During the grand event, highly anticipated premiere dates and trailer of popular TV shows and movies were announced. One of the major big announcements were that of Squid Game and Stranger Things 5 trailer release, premiere dates of Stranger Things season 5and a 6-minute preview of Wednesday Season 2. Hanumankind become the third Indian artist to debut at the Coachella music festival, who performed his biggest hits, like 'Big Dawgs,' 'Run it up' and 'Go to sleep' tracks live.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Hanumankind's 'Run It Up' is made in India, for India
Rapper Hanumankind, born Sooraj Cherukat, has unveiled his latest single Run It Up, marking his return after the success of Big Dawgs in 2024. Released on Friday, Run It Up sees Hanumankind collaborating once again with producer Kalmi and director Bijoy Shetty, the creative team behind his previous hit. It is difficult to sit still once you hit play on Run It Up. The track is a vibrant fusion of rap and hip-hop with traditional Indian cultural elements, particularly from the rapper's native Kerala, adding an unmistakably distinct Indian flavour to the composition. In particular, the song's production incorporates the dull yet sonorous rhythmic beats of the chenda, a traditional cylindrical percussion instrument, adding an even background beat to Hanumankind's impeccable flow. At the lyrical end, Hanumankind delivers rapid-fire verses that invoke the ambition, resilience, and cultural pride that Kerala is home to. The singer packs a powerful punch with just the first verse, "We dealing with things you ain't seen before / We feeling the weight of our ancestors." He goes on to emphasise the tough lives dealt to his people and the beauty they have churned from them, "We went from nothing to something / Got all of them jumping / To shit that we made from the air." As the verses follow one another at a steady but speedy pace, the chorus turns down the noise, except the background percussions, and the singer looks into the camera and chants, "Run it up, the sun is up / To when it's down, get ya money up / I put money down on all of us / On my people now, on what I love". Otherwise level, the rhythm opens a clearing at about the mid-mark of the song as Hanumankind takes a few breaths, adding a complex earthiness and humanity to the music. In a few seconds, the beat picks up again as the artist sings, "We go from angry and mad to angry and glad to find a solution for us / We go from sorry and sad and to ready to grab our weapons and get to the front." This breather marks, perhaps, my favourite section of the song as it juxtaposes beautifully with an onslaught of verses after it, foregrounding the song's drum beats and temple-like ringing bells, which only end abruptly with the song. The accompanying music video is a visual celebration of Southern India's rich cultural heritage. Directed by Shetty, the rust-hued video is an ensemble of a variety of traditional Indian art forms and martial arts. Notably, it features Kalaripayattu, one of the oldest martial arts originating from Kerala, known for its strikes, kicks, grappling, and weaponry techniques marrying beautifully with the incredible energy of the song. Coupled with the frenzy of martial arts, the video also highlights Theyyam, a ritual dance form from Kerala characterised by elaborate costumes and face painting, and Kathakali, a classical dance-drama known for its intricate storytelling and vibrant makeup, adding colour to the song canvas. Other cultural elements in the music video include Garudan Thookkam, a ritual art form involving performers dressed as eagles, and Chenda Melam, traditional percussion beats. In making this song, Hanumankind lives up to the cultural pride he sings about while pushing creative boundaries, blending modern urban imagery and traditional motifs. Run It Up pulses with an energy that transcends borders, drawing listeners in with its deft fusion of traditional Indian elements and contemporary hip-hop. The track's resonance isn't limited to a single geography - it's a statement in a growing wave of desi rap that refuses to be boxed in. Hanumankind channels regional textures, but his flow, production choices, and lyrical dexterity ensure the song speaks to a much wider audience. Fans have responded enthusiastically, praising its dynamic production and the way it seamlessly blends cultural touchpoints without feeling constrained by them. In a scene that is increasingly global, Run It Up asserts itself as a track that isn't just representing, but expanding the conversation. Run It Up is available for streaming on major platforms, including Spotify. The official music video can be viewed on Hanumankind's YouTube channel.
