‘Kya bolreli public’, ‘bohot hard’, ‘bantai’, ‘bachi’, ‘machayenge’ entail a fraction of the gully-sprung slang that constitutes Hip-Hop scion, NAEZY’s punchy music. The dawn of Desi hip-hop in India can be attributed to a few key individuals , with Bombay 70 (sattar) resident Nawed Shaikh aka “NAEZY THE BAA” leading the roster.
The gully music trailblazer and father of desi hip-hop classics like ‘Aane de’, ‘Mere gully mein’ and ‘Aafat’, has a truly historic announcement for his friends, family and devout fanbase. Following an impressive hustle of half a decade to fame, recognition and acceptance, Chembur’s infamous BAA has finally dropped his first studio album, “MAGHREB”.
Meaning and inspiration behind the album and its title
An Arabic expression that roughly translates to ‘the west’, “Maghreb”, when heard, feels less like a commercial album and more like a creative canvas of sound, speech and ideas. ‘The west’, land of the setting sun, has been a pivotal source of inspiration for Naezy, ever since his foray into Gully-rap. He defines the term ‘west’ as a medium of expression and storytelling. Maghreb according to the rapper, is a confluence of western sound, flow and structure meeting eastern lingo, culture and ideas. Composing infusions of western production with duo-lingual Hindi - Urdu lyrics, the album serves as a true conjunction of sound and culture.
About the music featured on MAGHREB
A flavorful collective of 6 flaming tunes, the album is certain to create waves across the niche that Nawed has carved for himself. While tracks like ‘Khamakha’, ‘Pyaar hai’ are mind-medicine for the more mellow, laid-back and starry listeners; bangers like ‘kon hard’ and title track ‘Maghreb’ capture the sharp, punchy flare of gully music, making for an all-mood playlist. ‘Jeeta hara’ and ‘mere bhantai’ are two notable tunes, each voicing a distinct story. The former chronicles his life and career struggle, while the latter narrates the everyday hoodlum’s hustle.
Overview of the album and what makes it special
In summary, the album is an amalgamation of intelligent sounds, catchy lyrics and skillful storytelling. Besides Naezy’s clever play on words and clean consistent flow throughout the album, what imparts ‘Maghreb’ an edge, lies in the following fact. Each track individually and the album as a whole, eloquently communicate a larger-than-life theme, with which listeners across every stratum of life can resonate. One song talks about love-stories and heartbreak while the other discusses the ups, downs and hardship of making an urban living.
The album in right sense serves as a mirror to the life of the striving artist, middle-class Indian struggling to make a living in the urban mesh of society, today’s culture has become. The collective bears music for every mood and conveys stories for individuals from every walk of life. It is a first in the Saga of change this country’s music scene desperately demands.
You can stream the entire album here.
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