Beyond the Border: The Latest from the Diaspora and Indian Artists Overseas

This month, we check out the latest from Canada based Mysoulisahippie, Los Angeles-based rapper ZZ, London singer-songwriter Krameri and more

- ANURAG TAGAT

ZZ

New Delhi-born, Los Angeles based Zeefan Kanwar aka ZZ released his debut album Degenerates earlier this month, encapsulating the soulful, carpe-diem hip-hop style that’s synonymous with West Coast artists. There’s 16 tracks in all that cover ground on trap, hip-hop, dancehall and even Latin vibes, like one of his most popular songs to date, “Wildfire.” Cuts like the lo-fi booming beats of “MOOD.” and Auto-Tune flavored trap of “ICY” sum up just the kind of party ZZ wants to throw with co-creators including Lil Littlez (Sohail Rana Kanwar), Lesotho-bred Thorii and Guapdad 4000 aka Akeem Hayes, amongst others.

AARYAN SHAH

Los Angeles-based Indian-origin singer-songwriter and producer Aaryan Shah has been slowly amassing a bevy of followers in the U.S. for his wispy R&B style, best heard on songs like “Renegade,” “To the Ends” and “Dissociation.” They’re all part of his two-part album The Arrival, which unravels well with the space exploration visual and sonic aesthetic that Shah has built for himself over the last three years or so. The chill, melancholy (borderline despondent) R&B style stands out once again on his latest track “Isolation,” which released late last month. Although there’s some intentional mystique behind the artist, Shah is one to watch for his steady rise.