Nitish K

It started with a YouTube recommendation—a track called Run It Up by an artist named Hanumankind. I clicked on it with zero expectations. What followed was four minutes of pure energy, art, pride, and goosebumps.

The music. The visuals. The lyrics. The voice. And the unapologetic presence of Indian culture in a global soundscape. It wasn’t just a song—it was a statement.

I later found out that Hanumankind is the stage name of Suraj, an Indian rapper whose earlier track, Big Dawgs, I’d heard in passing but mistook for a Western artist. That alone says something: his quality, flow, and production are world-class.

What struck me the most about Run It Up wasn’t just the music, but how confidently it portrayed Indian identity. The visuals weren’t trying to imitate the West; they were rooted in the Indian soil, yet presented with global appeal. And it clearly struck a chord far beyond India. I watched reaction video after reaction video—many from American influencers who were blown away by what they saw. One of them said he hadn’t posted in four months, but this track gave him so much energy, he had to make a video. That says a lot.

It made me proud. It inspired me. It reminded me that true creative work speaks across borders, across biases. And it made me reflect on something deeper: why do so many revolutionary Indian voices first find recognition in the West?

Part of it, I think, lies in the fact that for many Indians, survival takes precedence. When you’re working tirelessly to meet basic needs, there isn’t always room left for bold art, deep philosophy, or revolutionary thinking. It’s not a question of talent or intelligence—it’s about mental bandwidth. We’re still a country where many are trapped in the daily grind.

Meanwhile, audiences in the West—especially in creative and intellectual spaces—often have more freedom to explore. They aren’t weighed down by the same economic or familial constraints. They can afford curiosity. They can pause to listen.

But the beauty of our time is this: truth and talent are no longer bound by borders. The internet is the great equalizer. If something is powerful, it will travel. If a track like Run It Up is electric enough, it’ll hit Los Angeles before it hits Lucknow—but it will hit.

That gives me hope. Artists like Hanumankind are trailblazers. They’re showing us what a new Indian identity can look and sound like: bold, rooted, global, and unapologetic. They’re putting India on the map in ways that break the stereotypes. And in doing so, they’re also inspiring a generation of creators.

So here’s my takeaway:

Do your work. Speak your truth. Even if your surroundings don’t understand it yet. Even if your voice feels like an echo. Because somewhere, someone will hear it—and when they do, it might just light a fire.

Just like this track did for me.

Run it up, and let the world catch up.