Cartel Madras: The Goonda Rappers of Chennai

When it comes to shattering barriers and pushing the limits of creativity, Cartel Madras brings electrifying energy and raw talent as tools to do so.  These bad ass sisters, Bhagya "Eboshi" Ramesh and Priya "Contra" Ramesh took the music industry by storm with their distinctive sound and unapologetic demeanor.
Both sisters emigrated from Chennai, India - they are half Tamil and half Malayalee and identify as queer.

They classify their music as "Goonda Rap”, with goonda meaning thug in India which already should already set the tone for their sound before even listening to a song. Their music combines elements of hip hop, house, punk, electronic, and South Indian influences. The sisters cite Freddie Gibbs, M.I.A. and MF Doom as influences, which is quite evident in their songs. They’ve also acknowledged they wouldn’t be able to be where they are without the likes of Princess Nokia or M.I.A. 

Cartel Madras began by releasing songs on their SoundCloud and burst onto the scene in 2018 with their groundbreaking EP, "Trapistan." Their music is a fusion of trap, hip-hop, and South Asian influences, that is really something different within all of those spheres. However, what truly sets them apart is their fearlessness in confronting pressing social issues head-on. They address topics such as feminism, identity, and cultural appropriation without hesitation, which is quite rare but necessary for South Asian women as a whole. They tirelessly advocate for more LGBTQ & POC inclusivity in the rap genre, to pave the way for others like them. 

Their whole look and sound is a perfect medley of powerful female sexuality in a more masculine form. To be sexy in a traditional South Asian sense is to be sweet and sensual or alluring. However, what speaks to me is how they fuse their South Asian heritage with elements of street style. Just like their music, it is so unapologetically hip hop but Indian at the same time. 

In a world where South Asian women are constantly proving themselves in all types of spaces, Cartel Madras is representing us in the rap game. They remind us that music possesses the power to be a catalyst for self-expression, empowerment, and societal transformation. So, if you have yet to listen to Cartel Madras, I would definitely recommend giving them a listen and seeing if goonda rap is your new vibe!