This compact nonstop compilation has been curated by DJ Karma and consists of rap and R&B music by his friends and frequent collaborators. He chooses to showcase music from the Naga, Sikkimese, Nepali, and Tibetan communities as a way to foreground artists who often have to bear the brunt of the discriminatory tendencies that continue to assail Delhi despite the city pulsating to the rhythms of migration, historically and eternally.

Tracklist

00:00 – UNB: «One of a Kind»
02:18 – Tnammy, Abu Rigdo and Ngale: «Snake»
05:34 – UNB, Jinn: «Kala»
08:30 – DJ Karma: «Chill Hai»
11:07 – Moko Koza: «Naga Manu»
13:49 – Jinn: «Jaan Dal»
16:26 – No Way: «Shane»
18:46 – GOLI: «Fame Name»

Background Notes

As a DJ living in the city of Delhi for many years, I have experienced a roller coaster journey, starting from being denied entry to venues, often solely because of racial biases, to eventually organizing hip hop events that filled venues to capacity. The city constantly presented challenges, but those obstacles only fueled my determination to improve my craft. I have evolved by exploring and playing various genres, expanding beyond solely focusing on hip hop music and consistently shaping my own practice and sound.

The Northeastern, Tibetan, Nepali, and Bhotia communities were the earliest adopters and enthusiasts of hip hop culture and music in the 1990s. Young individuals from these diverse regions often migrate to New Delhi for further education after completing high school. Despite the particular cultural differences, we share a common lineage and interest in hip hop music. Delhi itself doesn’t have a signature sound, and thus, becomes a key site of hip hop culture in India, bringing together these communities and establishing a foundation for its growth.

This short DJ mix is underlined by a desire to feature some of the talented individuals from my community. These are six rap songs by Naga, Sikkimese, Nepali, and Tibetan artists that I know and work alongside. What we have in common is that we don’t have the typical physical appearance associated with being «Indian»; instead, we look more East Asian perhaps. A majority of North Indians don’t feel like we «belong» or share a connection with them due to our distinct appearance.1

Consequently, we experience a lack of representation in mainstream media across all cultural and entertainment fields. This absence of representation can be disheartening for young individuals, as it may lead them to believe that they are not as capable as their North Indian counterparts or that they lack the talent to succeed in these industries. Personally, I have always dreamed of creating a platform where I could showcase the skills and abilities of our people. Instead of solely showcasing my own songs, I chose to feature other artists because I believe certain things hold greater significance than individual contributions. As a DJ, I feel this practice has the potential to initiate a movement within our community, encouraging us to focus on our own talents and perspectives rather than solely consuming what the mainstream and majoritarian media imposes upon us. It signifies a shift towards looking inward and embracing our own artistic expressions in a city like Delhi.

• 1. It is important to clarify that when I refer to «East Asian», I am referring to ethnic location, as there is currently no other appropriate term. This lack of terminology creates an identity crisis, as not all Asians in India are from the Northeast, and not all Northeastern Indians are of Asian origins.