'IAM AS HIP-HOP AS ANYONE IN THE COUNTRY'

Delhi rapper shauharty on 'Saddam Hussainé', a 12-minute short film and track riffing on one of the world's most divisive figures, teasing out his upcoming mixtape Farookh, and rejecting the alt-rapper label.

- ADITHI REENA AJITH

IN a world obsessed with image and selfworth, Delhi rapper shauharty is busy tearing his own apart.

Known for a discography that consistently pushes sonic and lyrical boundaries, he returns with his latest drop, 'Saddam Hussainé'-a track featuring Delhi singer Pahaad on vocals, accompanied by a 12-minute short film that unfolds like a Tarantino Western on a satirical trip.

'Saddam Hussainé' is a commentary on narcissism and ruthless power. The title is a nod to one of the world's most controversial and divisive figuresto the West, he is mostly remembered for his atrocities, to many in the Arab world, he is remembered for his Arab nationalism of the 20th century. Farookh-the protagonist played by shauharty in the short filmis blinded by his own voice and power, darting through the streets of Jaisalmer in search of a mysterious briefcase.

"For me, Saddam Hussein has always represented the pure-unchecked male ego and narcissism," says shauharty.