Video animation by: Big Flowers

Intro/Outro beat by: BLOODBLIXING

The Plug (0:46).

The Interview (2:46).

Few things have been more important to me in my life than hip-hop music. Growing up, I lacked identity and a sense of community. So as I continued to listen to more and more hip-hop music in my teens and early 20s, it quickly became a key vessel for me to learn about the world and connect with a culture, and ethos that I resonated with.

And yet, as an Indian guy, it was rare that I ever saw someone who looked liked me that was contributing to this artform that I loved so much. It was hard to see how I fit in, if at all. This all changed once I heard the music of Heems, known for his work in Das Racist, Swet Shop Boys, and as a solo artist.

Hailing from Queens, NY, Heems has successfully injected his Indian roots into a brand of witty, thoughtful rap... and invariably helped me see that there was space for people like me in hip-hop after all.

So I’m pleased to welcome Heems, as well as Chicago-based producer Lapgan to the show, who produced the wonderful instrumental album History from last year, as well as the new collaborative album with Heems, LAFANDAR.

In today’s episode, we talk about incorporating Indian culture into hip-hop, Heems’ new venture Veena, and the making of this incredibly creative new album, LAFANDAR.

Heems’ experience ingratiating himself in hip-hop culture (4:00).

Importance of desi representation (7:37).

Heems’ legacy (13:52).

The inspiration behind Heems’ new venture, Veena (20:04).

The features on LAFANDAR (28:58).

Inspiration behind Lapgan’s 2023 instrumental album, History (32:28).

The untapped potential of Indian music in hip-hop sampling (36:30).

The LAFANDAR listening experience (43:21).

The musical direction behind LAFANDAR (52:09).

Heems’ witty, often hyper-referential, raps on LAFANDAR (56:46).

The natural creative relationship Heems and Lapgan (59:21).

The political focus in Heems’ music (1:00:48).

Upcoming projects / merch / tour dates (1:03:26).

Support Veena and LAFANDAR here: https://www.veena.nyc/ 

Support The Olive Tape (feat. Heems), which was compiled to raise funds for humanitarian aid in Palestine here: https://theolivetape.bandcamp.com/album/the-olive-tape 

Follow Heems on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/HIMANSHU 

Follow Lapgan on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/lapganMusic  

Follow Heems on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nehrujackets/?hl=en 

Follow Lapgan on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/lapganlapgan/?hl=en 

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