On “Big Dawgs”

I’m doing something I’ve not done in a long time, or perhaps, EVER before – reviewing music. It’s Onam today (Happy Onam, malayalees all over the world!) – what better occasion than today to celebrate an amazing song by a Malayali musician?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, surely you’ve heard (of) Hanumankind’s Big Dawgs ft. Kalmi. It’s been quite THE RAGE worldwide. 🔥

At the time of writing this post, the song has 108 million views on YouTube. Per Wikipedia, it’s taken the WORLD 🌍 by storm: 🌪️

“Big Dawgs” quickly gained international acclaim, debuting at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100.^[5] The song has amassed 65 million streams on Spotify and went viral on TikTok with 111 million views, and over 1,600,000 searches on Shazam.^[6][5] The song’s success led to Hanumankind being featured on the cover of Spotify’s Global Hip Hop Playlist and signing with Capitol Records.^[7][8] Outside of India, the song peaked within the top ten in countries including Australia, Austria, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland and Brazil.

Open up your Instagram reels or TikTok, and scroll through your discover page for 10 minutes, I will bet USD$100 that you’ll find at least one reel/TikTok with this iconic song being featured, that’s the kind of popularity this song has garnered.

No points for guessing, yours truly has become addicted to this AMAZING track! “Big Dawgs” resonated with me in ways few songs ever have.

Sooraj Cherukat known worldwide as Hanumankind, was born in Malappuram, Kerala, 150 kilometers from where I live. He is a true-blue Malayalee who speaks brilliant Malayalam in an authentic Valluvanadan/വള്ളുവനാടൻ twang, just as firmly as how he claims he’s a “a big stepper, underground methods” in his smooth “like a surgeon” voice. Sooraj spent his early years in Houston, TX where he was influenced by Southern Hip-Hop, an influence that led him to be what he’s become today. Incidentally, my own first ever tryst with the United States of America started with the Great State of Texas eight years ago; to be precise, it’s great capitol, Austin – located three hours from Sooraj’s old stomping grounds. But hey, who am I kidding? These are mere coincidences and ABSOLUTELY NOT the reasons why I’m addicted to this song.

Let’s just say, that there’s more to this song that what meets the eye (or ear for that matter).

The iconic song starts with the music video featuring the “Well of Death”/Maranakkinar (മരണക്കിണർ)/Maut ka kuan (मौत का कुआँ) – a highlight of local circuses all across India, but specifically in Kerala. I’ve seen a few of these back in the day and have always been fascinated about them. Sooraj proclaims that he’s a “Big Dawg” circling the well of death, asserting himself by “circling death itself”. A bold proclamation, indeed.

In my humble opinion, this catchy song is a paean to resilience – a strong voice against adversity that marginalized groups all over the world (especially folks of south asian origin like myself) face. He talks about how one can rise to the top amidst the sea of adversity by standing up for and asserting oneself . And through sheer good, old, perseverence.

Of course, that is something I can relate to, on the deepest level.

If you’ve read this blog, you know what I feel about manifestation – about how setting firm intentions for oneself can lead one to success. I feel that Sooraj essentially ensconces this through the idea through the lyrics. Hanumankind declares himself as a “Big Dawg” owning his rightful place in this global arena of hip-hop where artists of Indian or South Asian origin are unheard of. I’m sure he believed in that with all his heart, and I will bet that even he didn’t imagine the success and reach this song has got him.

You’ll even see this assertion in the artist’s name – “Hanuman-kind”. Here’s more: When he declares “Ain’t no fearing me”, he likens himself to the fearless mythological Hindu God of Lord Hanuman himself. Truly, Sooraj is THE Hanuman-kind! 😱 I also feel there’s some subtext to this––in the context of being Indian, this line can resonate with how Indians and South Asians are often seen as passive or submissive, which he is trying defy by referencing Lord Hanuman who is known for his bravery and fearlessness. This surely sounds like a subtle pushback against the stereotypes of South Asians as being less confrontational or docile.

It gets better.

When Hanumankind says, “The skin color like the bourbon / A worldwide sign that we face close curtains,” it feels like he’s talking directly about the experience of brown-skinned people across the globe. As an Indian who has personally witnessed and experienced how South Asians are often marginalized, I relate deeply to the imagery of “close curtains”. It symbolizes the shutting out, the rejection, and the barriers that come with being from the global south. It’s not just a statement about physical appearance but a broader commentary on the prejudices we face in various spheres, from the professional world to societal expectations.

In these simple yet powerful lines, Hanumankind encapsulates the experience of countless Indians like me.

Then there’s the line about death: “When I die they will not bury me, not what I want / Burn my body, pour my ashes in a river y’all.” This is such a vivid reference to Hindu funeral traditions, and as someone raised in Kerala, it brought to mind the deep cultural ties I have with my own heritage – it’s barely been a year since I saw my Achan’s body burn to ashes, and not too long ago since we poured his ashes at Rameshwaram. The ritual of cremation is such a fundamental part of our lives, representing both an ending and a new beginning. Hanumankind isn’t just talking about death—he’s signaling continuity, something that feels close to my understanding of life’s spiritual journey. It’s a direct nod to his Indian roots, and for someone like me, it feels… powerful.

One of my favorite sections, though, is where he raps: “The Southern family gon’ carry me to way beyond.” I think it’s a direct reference to Hanumankind’s Kerala connection, and the “Southern family” instantly clicked with me. It’s a triple reference—to his roots in South India, to the global south as a whole, and perhaps to his upbringing in the Southern US state of Texas where he spent his formative years! Growing up in Kerala, we’ve always been proud of our identity as Malayalees, fiercely protective of our language, culture, and heritage (at least I am). But on a larger scale, this line feels like solidarity with people of the global south—those who’ve been historically marginalized, yet whose influence is slowly rising to prominence. Being from Kerala, I relate to this sense of pride in my roots while also fighting the stereotypes and challenges thrown our way.

The line “Immortality’s a fallacy, I prove ’em wrong” could be interpreted as rejecting the Western concept of immortality, which can be seen in contrast with Indian or Hindu spiritual philosophies. In Hinduism, the concept of immortality is more about the soul’s journey through reincarnation rather than living forever in a physical form, which could be an implied reference. Brilliant, right?

While subtle, “Anything you’ve ever known, anything you’ve done” can be seen as a challenge to dominant Western or colonial histories that have often overlooked or erased South Asian contributions. Hanumankind is declaring that he and others like him are capable of achieving things that go beyond what has traditionally been recognized or celebrated in mainstream culture.

Like I said before, “Big Dawgs” hits hard for me mainly because it taps into themes of resilience and rising above adversity—something I feel is central to the Indian experience and to my own self. Every time Hanumankind declares himself a “Big Dawg,” I’m reminded of my own journey in life as well as our journey as a community, both locally and globally.

Sooraj embodies what it means to stand tall, unapologetically brown, and claim space in a world that has long tried to shut the door on the Global South. In essence, the song isn’t just an anthem of power, it’s a mirror reflecting the struggles and triumphs of being Indian and South Asian.

As a true-blue Malayalee, “Big Dawgs” resonates with me as a statement of defiance, identity, and pride.

It reminds me that despite everything, we continue to rise.

And we always will.

The Last Ink Drop

This might be nothing, BUT, does Sooraj pay a reference to the OG singer of South Asian descent – Freddie Mercury, with his appearance? Sample this:

What are your thoughts on Hanumankind? Lemme know in the comments!