Hanumankind – Monsoon Season Review
When the storm finally speaks.
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by Rahul
If there’s one Indian rapper whose name has traveled from New Zealand to Spain, it’s Sooraj Cherukat: better known as Hanumankind (HMK).
2024 was HMK’s breakout year. His single “Big Dawgs” blew up globally, changing the trajectory of his career. But for fans back home in India who’ve followed his journey since Daily Dose (2019), this moment has been a long time coming.
That debut track, part of his first EP Kalari, featured production from Parimal Shais and Kalmi — both of whom return for what is now his most ambitious project yet: Monsoon Season.
It feels like a full-circle moment.
Kalari, named after the ancient martial art from Kerala, was Hanumankind’s training ground. The word “kalari” also translates to “battlefield” in Malayalam — a fitting title for a debut EP.
In contrast, Monsoon Season reflects evolution: emotional, artistic, and spiritual. The Indian monsoon is known for its unpredictability, its chaos and beauty, and in Kerala, Hanumankind’s home state, it arrives first. Just like him, arriving ahead of the curve.
Though not officially labeled an album, Monsoon Season is HMK’s most honest and emotionally expansive body of work to date. It’s the project he needed to release at this point in his journey.
The Journey Through the Tape
The first four tracks feel intentional — high-energy, battle-ready, designed to remind listeners of the Hanumankind they already know. It’s a smart decision before peeling back layers to reveal deeper emotions and creative risks.
The transitions throughout the project are smooth. It’s clear that a lot of care went into sequencing — how each track flows into the next feels deliberate and considered.
Previously released songs like “Run It Up,” “Holiday,” and “Villainous Freestyle” help maintain momentum, though for us, “Run It Up” was the weakest moment on the tape.
Despite a fantastic beat by Kalmi and a visually stunning video directed by Bijoy, the vocal delivery — especially in the intro and hook — didn’t carry the energy we expected. We understand the vision behind it, but it didn’t quite land for us.
The “Big Dawgs (Remix)” featuring A$AP Rocky also felt like a missed opportunity. While the original was explosive, Rocky’s contribution didn’t elevate the remix the way we’d hoped.
That said, Monsoon Season is full of strong moments. The middle section of the tape is where the real gems lie : emotionally rich, sonically immersive, and deeply personal.
It begins with “Someone Told Me” and “Cause,” followed by the interlude “29.11.23” — a heartfelt voice note from his mother urging him to take care of himself. It’s a beautiful moment that grounds the tape and binds its emotional core.
Rather than breaking down every track, we’re highlighting our Top 5 Picks — the songs that truly define Monsoon Season for us.
DR Top 5 Picks
1. Cause (feat. Rudy Mukta)
Our favorite song from the tape. “Cause” is the emotional centerpiece — the beating heart of Monsoon Season. Rudy Mukta, a phenomenal R&B artist from Bangalore, delivers a soulful, aching hook that matches Hanumankind’s vulnerability.
Their chemistry seen previously in “Catharsis,” reaches its peak here. If there’s one track that captures Sooraj Cherukat the person, not just Hanumankind the rapper, this is it.
Kalmi’s production is masterful, easily one of his best on the tape. For an artist often known for his bravado, HMK’s performance here is unexpected and deeply moving.
2. Someone Told Me (feat. Rosiee)
From the very first notes, this track feels like a trance. By the end, it’s as if Hanumankind is speaking directly to you. The storytelling, emotional tone, and arrangement come together seamlessly.
Rosiee, an artist from St. Louis, brings a calm, meditative presence to the track. Her vocals, which echo the cadence of Indian mantras, elevate the song into something spiritual. It’s not loud — it’s intimate. And that’s what makes it so powerful.
3. Reckless (feat. Denzel Curry)
“Reckless” kicks off the project with pure adrenaline. The beat slaps, and Denzel Curry delivers the strongest rap feature of the entire mixtape: punchy, precise, and ferocious.
It feels like a welcome mat into HMK’s world: bold, aggressive, and uncompromising. As far as opening tracks go, this one leaves no doubts about what’s to come.
4. Monsoon Season
The title track appears right after the emotional voice note from his mother, and it couldn’t be more fitting. It’s reflective, powerful, and deeply poetic.
Here, Hanumankind captures the spirit of monsoon not just as a season but as a metaphor for his own life—marked by turbulence, growth, and transformation. It’s both a personal statement and a broader cultural reflection. The production is lush yet haunting, making it one of the tape’s most resonant tracks.
5. Sicko
This is the tape’s most experimental moment, and it lands with impact. The production is chaotic, gritty, and industrial, almost reminiscent of early Linkin Park in its emotional charge.
While tracks like “Cause” and “Someone Told Me” lean into vulnerability, “Sicko” is confrontation. It’s HMK channeling chaos, unfiltered. Kalmi’s work on this track cements his reputation as one of the most versatile producers in the scene.
Final Thoughts
Monsoon Season is the culmination of everything Hanumankind has built: swagger, skill, soul, and sonic ambition.
With longtime collaborators Parimal Shais, Kalmi, and Hisaab behind the boards, there’s both consistency and growth.
It’s not a perfect tape (but then again, is art ever perfect?) — yet it’s exactly what it needs to be: bold, emotional, and expansive.
The balance between bangers and introspection is striking, and the sequencing — especially around the interlude and title track — is near flawless.
Hanumankind isn’t just dropping tracks anymore. He’s telling stories. And Monsoon Season is his most human, most honest story yet.
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