Hanumankind

Hanumankind
Born
Sooraj Cherukat

1992 (age 31–32)
Kondotty, Malappuram, Kerala, India
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • actor
Years active2019–present
Musical career
OriginKerala, India
Genres
Labels

Sooraj Cherukat (born 1992)[1][2] known professionally as Hanumankind, is a rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor from Kerala, India.[3][4] He released his first single "Daily Dose" from his debut EP Kalari in 2019.[5][6] He received mainstream popularity in India and internationally with his track "Big Dawgs", which features the Hyderabad-based artist and producer Kalmi.[7][8]

Early life and education

Sooraj Cherukat was born in 1992, in Malappuram, Kondotty, Kerala in India.[2] His father worked for an oil company.[9][10] As a child, Cherukat lived in Egypt, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, France, and UAE before settling down in USA when he was in fourth grade.[9][11] He attended Houston Community College.[12] In 2012, he returned to India enrolling at PSG College in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to pursue a degree in business administration.[9][13] He worked at Goldman Sachs in 2014, and had a stint as a gym trainer.[14][10]

Music career

Cherukat began his career as a professional rapper by performing at NH7 Weekender, which is held in multiple cities and releasing his debut EP Kalari, in 2019.[15] He took on the moniker of "Hanumankind" after the popular deity Hanuman which "personifies honor, courage, and loyalty".[14] His song "The Last Dance" is featured on the official soundtrack for the Malayalam-language film Aavesham.[16]

He gained widespread recognition both with the release of the music video "Big Dawgs", featuring Kalmi, in July 2024.[17][18] The accompanying music video directed by Bijoy Shetty, features Cherukat performing in a classic carnival attraction with motorcycles known as the wall of death. The video was shot in Malappuram, his hometown district in Kerala state in India, and was featured on the official Kerala tourism's Instagram page. The video has gained significant attention for its unique ideas and high-octane energy.[19][14] In September 2024, Cherakut performed at a Narendra Modi rally in Uniondale, New York.[20]

Artistry

While living in Houston, Cherukat was exposed to Southern hip hop and listened to artists like Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, UGK, and DJ Screw. He is also a fan of System of a Down.[14] His musical style is significantly influenced by Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Logic.[14]

Discography

Extended plays

Title Details
Kalari[21]
Surface Level[21]
  • Released: 2 October 2020
  • Label: The illage
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

List of singles, with selected peak chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
IND
[22] 		AUS
[23] 		CAN
[24] 		GER
[25] 		IRE
[26] 		NZ
[27] 		SWI
[28] 		UK
[29] 		US
[30] 		WW
[31]
"Daily Dose"[21] 2019 — — — — — — — — — — Kalari
"S.L.A.B"[21] 2020 — — — — — — — — — — Non-album single
"Options"[21] — — — — — — — — — —
"Beer and Biryani"[21] — — — — — — — — — —
"Genghis"[21] 2021 — — — — — — — — — —
"Damnson"[21] — — — — — — — — — —
"Skyline"[21] — — — — — — — — — —
"Lola's Chant"[21]
(with Kalmi) 		2022 — — — — — — — — — —
"Third Eye Freeverse (Red Bull 64 Bars)"[21] — — — — — — — — — —
"Go to Sleep"[21] 2023 — — — — — — — — — —
"Ayyayyo"[21] — — — — — — — — — —
"Big Dawgs"
(with Kalmi)[32] 		2024 3 9 9 11 30 2 9 15 23 9

Film songs

List of film music credits
Year Film Song Composer(s) Notes Ref.
2024 Aavesham "The Last Dance" Sushin Shyam [35]

Filmography

As actor
Year Film Role Notes Ref.
2024 Rifle Club Bheera Debut film [36]

References

  1. ^ "Meet Hanumankind, the genre-smashing rapper based in Kerala whose latest song is a global sensation". The Indian Express. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Who is Hanumankind, the Kerala-born rapper who smashed global records with 'Big Dawgs'?". The Times of India. 14 August 2024.
  3. ^ "Meet the rapper from Kerala who is trending worldwide with his sensational 'Big Dawgs'". Mathrubhumi. 1 August 2024.
  4. ^ Singh, Ritu (29 July 2024). "Anand Mahindra's Big Shoutout To Rapper Sooraj Cherukat: Extraordinary, Raw Videos". NDTV. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Meet 'Big Dawgs' Rapper, Hanumankind, Who Impressed Billionaire Anand Mahindra With His Music Video". BollywoodShaadis. 29 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  6. ^ Tagat, Anurag (5 April 2024). "Future of Music - Hanumankind". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
  7. ^ "'Greatest music video to come out of India': Kerala rapper Hanumankind's Big Dawgs gets internet raving". Hindustan Times. 1 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Taking the musical route". Deccan Chronicle. 1 September 2019.
  9. ^ a b c Mateen, Zoya (30 August 2024). "Hanumankind: The rapper from India topping global hip-hop charts". BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  10. ^ a b Hirwani, Peony (6 September 2024). "COVER STORY: Hanumankind is Just Getting Started". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  11. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (20 November 2024). "Hanumankind: the India-born, Houston-raised rapper riding high on southern pride". NME. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  12. ^ Javaid, Arfa (29 July 2024). "'Rapping his way to global recognition': Anand Mahindra on Sooraj Cherukat's viral 'well of death' rap". Hindustan Times.
  13. ^ "Who is Hanumankind, the Kerala-born rapper who smashed global records with 'Big Dawgs'?". The Times of India. 14 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 November 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d e Sharma, Isha (2 August 2024). "Big Beats, Death-Defying Stunts: How Indian Rapper Hanumankind Stunned Audiences With His Viral Hit 'Big Dawgs'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Anand Mahindra is in awe of desi rapper Sooraj Cherukat, calls him 'extraordinary & raw'". The Economic Times. 29 July 2024. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  16. ^ Kumar, Aman (10 August 2024). "Beer, Bikes & Adrenaline: How Hanumankind's international hit 'Big Dawgs' redefined masculinity". MensXP. Retrieved 10 August 2024.
  17. ^ Lidhoo, Prateek (2 August 2024). "Hanumankind's 'Big Dawgs': The Indian Rapper Who Took Over American Hip Hop". The Quint. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  18. ^ Trivedi, Aaryaman (24 July 2024). "Big Dawgs: Hanumankind Is The Brown Daredevil We've Been Waiting For". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Indian Directors Who Played a Huge Role in Music Success: From "Be-Together for O Sajna" to Bijoy Shetty's "Big Dawgs"". Telly Chakkar. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  20. ^ Sharma, Dishya (23 September 2024). "PM Modi Says 'Jai Hanuman' as He Greets Hanumankind After 'Modi & US' Performance; Video Goes Viral". News18. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Hanumankind – Singles & EPs". Apple Music. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  22. ^ "India Songs: Week of August 17, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  23. ^ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  24. ^ "Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of August 24, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  25. ^ "Hanumankind". Offizielle Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Top 100 Singles, Week Ending 23 August 2024". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  27. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Discography Hanumankind" (Switch to the "Charts" tab). swisscharts.com (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
  29. ^ "Hanumankind | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  30. ^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week of August 24, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  31. ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of August 24, 2024". Billboard. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Kerala rapper Hanumankind faces racism after 'Big Dawgs' goes viral". The New Indian Express. 2 August 2024.
  33. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Hanumankind – Big Dawgs". Music Canada.
  34. ^ "New Zealand single certifications – Hanumankind and Kalmi – Big Dawgs". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  35. ^ Shyam, Sushin (19 April 2024). "Aavesham (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". Think Music. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 19 December 2024 – via Apple Music.
  36. ^ "'Big Dawgs' rapper Hanumankind's first look from Aashiq Abu's 'Rifle Club' out". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.