Cartel Madras’s single ‘EVIDENT 2 ME’, created with Toronto producer Jide, marks the duo’s first release since The Serpent & The Tiger and introduces the next phase of their evolving creative universe. Blending drum and bass, jungle, industrial textures, electronic production, and militant rap, the track channels themes of vengeance, movement, and discovery while expanding the cinematic worldbuilding, multidisciplinary practice, and genre-defying sound that have defined the duo’s work across music, film, fashion, and visual art.
Canadian hip-hop duo Cartel Madras have returned with their new single 'EVIDENT 2 ME,' a powerful new collaboration with Toronto producer Jide that marks the duo’s first release since their 2021 project 'The Serpent & The Tiger'. Released through Sub Pop Records and Royal Mountain Records, the track opens a new chapter for sisters Eboshi and Contra, who have spent the last four years reshaping their sound and expanding the creative world that surrounds their music. 'EVIDENT 2 ME' is a comeback statement, that finds the duo with vengeance on their minds and adventure laid out before them.
Built around an 'intellingent DnB' beat, the track draws from several corners of Cartel Madras’ musical vocabulary. Militant rap flows cut through fast-moving rhythms, while jungle influences and industrial textures gives the track its pulse. "I’m always striving to imbue a classic sound with modern sensibilities and ‘EVIDENT 2 ME’ is a culmination of atmosphere and technique," notes Jide. The song feels cinematic, unfolding like a scene from a larger story. Atmosphere plays a central role throughout, with every element contributing to a mood that is always on-the-go including the sisters' verses and the music video. It is a track designed to transport listeners into Cartel Madras’ evolving universe.
Born in Chennai and raised in Alberta, Eboshi and Contra have spent years blending influences from house, trap, punk, industrial electronics, and hip-hop into a style that belongs entirely to them. Their music carries the spirit of underground queer and punk communities while embracing visual storytelling, and worldbuilding. Since signing with Sub Pop after being discovered at Sled Island in 2018, they have developed a multidisciplinary practice that extends beyond music into film, installation, and visual art. Through their production house FOREIGNERZ, they have continued to build immersive creative spaces that connect sound, image, fashion, and contemporary culture.
In recent years, Cartel Madras featured on Clipping’s 'Mirrorshades Pt. 2,' opened for M.I.A. during her return to India in 2023, and placed music within the EA Sports FC universe. Their live reputation has also continued to grow through performances alongside artists including JPEGMAFIA, Wu-Tang Clan, Mac DeMarco, Jack Harlow, Sudan Archives, and clipping. This latest release serves as the first glimpse of a full-length studio album expected in early 2027. “A manifesto for the new Cartel sound and universe; ‘EVIDENT 2 ME’ is our proclamation of return and protest against the inane," they share. "We’ve spent the last four years refining our sound, destroying, rebuilding, and this is the first song we re-introduce ourselves with; something audacious, deliberate, and indifferent towards trend.”
Follow Cartel Madras here and watch the music video at the top of the page.
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