Malayali rapper Sooraj Cherukat, better known by his stage name Hanumankind, has made waves in the global music scene with his hit track Big Dawgs. The song surpassed Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us on Spotify’s Global Chart, solidifying Hanumankind’s presence in Desi Indian hip hop. Inspired by Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Logic, his other popular songs include Genghis, Skyline, Damnson, Southside, and Rush Hour.
The name “Hanumankind” is a creative blend of the Hindi word “Hanuman” and the English word “kind,” reflecting a play on the concept of “humankind.”
Hanumankind is now set to become the second Indian artist to perform at the prestigious Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2025, following Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, who performed in 2024. Coachella’s 2025 lineup includes global icons such as Lady Gaga, Post Malone, Green Day, Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, Megan Thee Stallion, and Travis Scott, who will make a special guest appearance. The festival spans two weekends in April which is April 11-13 and April 18-20, with Hanumankind scheduled to perform on a Saturday, either April 12 or 19.
Adding to his achievements, Hanumankind is venturing into films with a role in Aashiq Abu’s Malayalam movie Rifle Club. He plays the character Bheera, while Anurag Kashyap portrays his father. The film also features an ensemble cast, including Dileesh Pothan, Vani Viswanath, Vijayaraghavan, Vincy Aloshious, Ramzan Muhammed, Surabhi Lakshmi, and Unnimaya Prasad.
Coachella has long been a hub for musical excellence. Last year’s event, headlined by Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat, and Tyler, the Creator, also featured a special reunion by No Doubt. Taylor Swift made headlines as a spectator at the event in 2024, while Diljit Dosanjh became the first Indian artist to perform there, taking Punjabi music to the iconic California stage. Now, Hanumankind is set to carry forward the Indian legacy at Coachella, making history for Desi hip hop.
