Background and recording
There were no mentions of the album until July 11, 2025, when Hanumankind posted the official music video for "Villainous Freestyle." In the video, he announced the album name, revealed the track list, and confirmed the release date. [1] Alongside the announcement, he shared the pre-save link, giving fans early access and the opportunity to secure the album before its release. [2]
Singles
"Big Dawgs"
"Big Dawgs" was the first single by Hanumankind, produced by Kalmi. Released on July 9, 2024, by Universal Music India, the track gained international acclaim, debuting at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The music video, directed by Bijoy Shetty, was filmed inside a traditional "well of death" carnival attraction in Ponnani, Kerala. The single amassed over 400 million streams on Spotify. Its success led to Hanumankind being featured on the cover of Spotify's Global Hip Hop Playlist and signing with Capitol Records. [3]
"Big Dawgs" Remix
A remix of his breakthrough single "Big Dawgs", featuring American rapper A$AP Rocky, was released on December 5, 2024. The track blended Hanumankind's sharp lyricism with Rocky’s distinctive style and was first previewed when the two performed it together at Rolling Loud Thailand. [4] The remix featured new verses from Hanumankind, as well as a slowed-down part midway through the song, which was originally heard at the end of the original one. Despite the change, Kalmi still maintained the high-energy production of the original, further propelling the song’s popularity. [5] [6] [7]
"Run It Up"
Released in March 2025, this single reunites Hanumankind with producer Kalmi and director Bijoy Shetty. [8] Drawing on traditional Keralan chenda drums, its music video showcases martial art forms like Kalaripayattu and Theyyam. [9] Critics praised “Run It Up” as a powerful ode to Indian culture, spotlighting resilience, cultural pride, and stunning visuals. [10]
"Holiday" (A COLORS SHOW)
Hanumankind premiered a new track titled “Holiday” on the live performance platform A COLORS SHOW, delivering a captivating rendition that blends contemplative lyricism with commanding presence. The minimalistic production—courtesy of frequent collaborators Parimal Shais and Kalmi—provides an atmospheric backdrop for Hanumankind’s introspective exploration of internal conflict, personal agency, and the search for meaning, all while maintaining the intensity that defined his breakthrough hits like “Big Dawgs” and “Run It Up.” [11] The performance further elevated his international profile, leading to an appearance at Netflix’s Tudum live event, and was celebrated in press as a “bold and commanding” display of his artistic range. [12]
"Villainous Freestyle"
Originally released as the "On the Radar" freestyle, the track later became widely known as "Villainous Freestyle." Originally, it released on October 24th, 2024, but later rereleased on July 11th, 2025, just a week before the album release. Critics praised the song’s confident delivery, rapid-fire cadences, and cultural duality, recognizing it as an early defining moment in his rise. The rebranding helped the track reach a broader audience and solidified Hanumankind’s reputation as a rising global talent. [13] [14] [15]
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