Explosive Production and Vocal Performance
Hanumankind's "Run It Up" hits the listener with an electrifying intensity right from the start. The track's production, driven by syncopated heavy bass and minimalistic yet aggressive drums, perfectly complements Hanumankind's commanding voice. The rhythm feels almost stripped back, giving his flow the space it needs to shine. This simplicity in the instrumental allows the listener to focus on his infectious delivery and the raw energy that pours from every bar, making it one of his standout performances.
A Lyrical Declaration of Resilience
Lyrically, "Run It Up" is a fierce declaration of resilience, pride, and defiance. Hanumankind crafts a narrative that touches on India’s colonial past and its resurgence as a cultural powerhouse. His lyrics serve as a reminder of how far the nation has come, from oppression to reclaiming its place on the global stage. His clever wordplay, especially lines like "got all of ‘em jumpin’ to shit that we made from the air," reflect a sense of triumph and cultural reclamation. The track becomes a celebration of India’s growing influence in global culture, where the oppressed have now become the leaders.
Powerful Visual Symbolism
The visual elements of "Run It Up" amplify its powerful message. Directed by Bijoy Shetty, the music video taps into the cultural depths of India with imagery drawn from traditional Theyyam rituals and martial arts like Kalaripayattu. Hanumankind’s choice to immerse himself in these visuals feels symbolic, connecting his personal journey to that of Kandanar Kelan, a mythical warrior reborn from fire. This resurrection parallels India’s own rise from the ashes of colonialism, reclaiming its identity and cultural pride.
Authentic Production Rooted in Tradition
On the production front, Kalmi's use of traditional South Indian sounds, such as the Chenda drums, gives the track an authentic, homegrown edge. This rejection of Western musical norms in favor of indigenous instruments only strengthens the song's message of cultural resilience. The infusion of traditional Kerala sounds into a modern hip-hop track adds a layer of depth and pride, anchoring the song in a rich historical context while pushing it into the future.
A Cultural Statement on the Global Stage
"Run It Up" isn’t just a song—it’s a cultural statement. Hanumankind continues to defy expectations, proving that he isn’t merely an "Indian rapper" but a rapper who brings India's voice to the world. His refusal to conform to Western expectations while highlighting his roots makes "Run It Up" a powerful anthem of identity, pride, and perseverance. As he prepares to perform on global stages like Coachella, Hanumankind is making it clear that Indian hip-hop has arrived, and the world is paying attention.
Listen to Hanumankind Run It Up
Hanumankind Run It Up Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "Run It Up" by Hanumankind is a powerful exploration of personal and cultural growth, perseverance, and pride in one’s heritage. Through his lyrics, Hanumankind reflects on the journey from humble beginnings to achieving success, all while navigating the weight of generational trauma and the challenges faced by marginalized communities. The song blends elements of South Asian culture with modern rap, using traditional instruments and references to ancestral struggles to create a compelling narrative of resilience and empowerment. "Run It Up" serves as both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the obstacles still to overcome.
Rise of South Asians in Western Rap
"Run it up, the sun is up / To when it's down, get ya money up / I put money down on all of us / On my people now, on what I love" – These lines signify a new dawn for the rapper and his community. Hanumankind refers to the rising presence of South Asians in the Western rap scene, where they are becoming more serious players. His time in Houston exposed him to a variety of music influences, from Three 6 Mafia to DJ Screw, which have shaped his style. "Run it up" could also hint at achieving success, as his track “Big Dawgs” has garnered over 83 million views on YouTube. Additionally, the way he vocalizes “the sun is up” to sound like “ni sa ni sa” ties into classical Indian music, referencing notes like sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, and ni.
Generational Trauma and Struggles
"We feelin' the weight of our ancestors" – Here, Hanumankind touches on generational trauma, referencing how the struggles, conflicts, and oppression of the past are still felt by the current generation. This weight is emotional and historical, something that’s carried through time.
"We healin' with ways that don't last for long / Don't have us the time, ain't it obvious? / No help for the weak but the liquor strong" – These lines emphasize how temporary solutions, such as turning to alcohol, are used to cope with trauma. The struggle is obvious, but there is no lasting relief for the weak, only temporary fixes like liquor. This reflects the pain and disillusionment many feel in these situations.
Cultural Pride and Traditional Instruments
"Now, bring out the drums in this bitch" – Here, Hanumankind incorporates the ‘chenda,’ a drum from Kerala, India. By doing so, he showcases his cultural roots and pushes his heritage into the global music scene. The use of traditional instruments like the chenda is a powerful statement of pride in his background.
Achieving Success from Humble Beginnings
"We went from nothin' to something, got all of 'em jumpin' to shit that we made from the air" – This line references his earlier track ‘Big Dawgs,’ which gained widespread attention. Hanumankind went from an unknown to a viral sensation, and now people are jumping to the music he created from seemingly nowhere. It’s a testament to how far he’s come.
Confidence in the Future
"I'm bettin' the odds on all of us (Woo, woo)" – In this line, the rapper conveys his confidence in his community’s success. The accompanying music video portrays art forms from all over India, representing the rich diversity of the culture. Hanumankind is placing a bet on the future of all these people and their success in the global scene.
Sacred Symbols and Victory
"Yeah, three, two, one (Hu)" – This transition slows the tempo, and the sound of a conch shell, or ‘shankh,’ is heard. The conch is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, often linked to the god Vishnu. It represents victory, purity, and the start of something sacred. In ancient times, it was also used to signal the beginning of war, adding a deeper layer of meaning to its use in the song.
The Desire for Freedom
"We want the freedom to live and the freedom to have the things we been lackin', my bruh" – This line reveals Hanumankind's ultimate goal: freedom. He desires freedom for his people, both to live without constraint and to access the things they have been historically deprived of.
Consequences of Speaking Out
"So what are we lackin'? (Huh?) / I could point it out, so much that's around, better settle down (Woo) / No point doing that or they send the hounds (Yeah), bite me in the ass, put me in the ground (Ayy)" – Here, Hanumankind addresses the consequences of fighting against discrimination and racism. He suggests that pointing out what’s wrong often leads to retaliation. The "hounds" represent authorities who suppress dissent, and the repercussions are harsh, including death or social eradication.
Reclaiming Identity and Pride
"Savages speak in a language, y'all, you don't understand, you a foreigner (Bitch)" – This is a historical reference to how indigenous populations, such as Indians, Africans, and Native Americans, were labeled as "savages" by colonizers. The line criticizes racism and the alienation experienced by these communities. Simultaneously, calling himself a "savage" reclaims the term, positioning him as someone ready to fight, unafraid of the consequences.
Shared Suffering and Perseverance
"We sing for the sorrow and dance for the pain / No one to follow, it's just you and me (Yeah)" – Hanumankind highlights the shared sorrow and pain within his community. Despite their struggles, there is no leader to follow, and it’s up to each individual to stand up. It’s a call for resilience and perseverance amidst ongoing suffering.
The Frustration of Repetition
"I swear that it's coming, we starting today but we wake up tomorrow and things are the same, damn" – The closing lines reflect a sense of frustration. Despite efforts to bring change, things often remain unchanged. Hanumankind acknowledges the cycle of trying to improve conditions only to face the same obstacles repeatedly, a sentiment many can relate to in their fight for justice.
Hanumankind Run It Up Lyrics
[Chorus]
Run it up, the sun is up
To when its down, get ya money up
I put money down on all of us
On my people now, on what I love
[Post-Chorus]
Ooh, baby, it's dangerous
Your problems, they just not the same to us
We dealin' with things you ain't seen before
We feelin' the weight of our ancestors
We healin' with ways that don't last for long
Don't have us the time, ain't it obvious?
No help for the weak but the liquor strong
Plenty here, pour it for all of us
[Verse 1]
Now, bring out the drums in this bitch, all my homies got rich doing shit that they said wouldn't work
Bring out the guns in the bitch, here to load up a clip and go shoot up the place we don't care (Brrt)
I see the bums that be wishing we end in a ditch, yeah, they prayin' to see a man hurt
I see the love that we give and the love that we get, make sure everything comin' full circle (Woo)
We went from nothin' to something, got all of 'em jumpin' to shit that we made from the air
We went from running and gunning with nothing in stomach to feeding the neighborhood, bruh
There ain't a person alive that be matching the vibe and it honestly ain't even fair (Woo, woo)
There ain't a dude with the drive and the vision like I have unless I go look in the mirror, baby (Woo, yeah)
[Chorus]
So run it up, the sun is up
To when its down, get ya money up
I put money down on all of us
On my people now, on what I love
[Post-Chorus]
Ooh, baby, we run it up
Get it the minute the sun is up (Woo, woo)
There is no resting when sun is down (Woo, woo)
Work it for real, get ya money up (Woo, woo)
Believe it on god, put money down (Woo, woo)
I'm bettin' the odds on all of us (Woo, woo)
I do it for all of my people now (Woo, woo)
Put that on everything that I love (Woo, woo)
[Interlude]
Yeah, on everything that I love (Aah)
Yeah, ain't nothing there come above (Yeah)
Hu, hu, hu
Yeah, three, two, one (Hu)
[Verse 2]
Now, we go from angry and mad to happy and glad to find a solution for us (Hu)
We go from sorry and sad to ready to grab our weapons and get to the front
I want the money, the cash, the moola, the bag, the currency, stacking it up (Yeah)
We want the freedom to live and the freedom to have the things we been lackin', my bruh
So what are we lackin'? (Huh?)
I could point it out, so much that's around, better settle down (Woo)
No point doing that or they send the hounds (Yeah), bite me in the ass, put me in the ground (Ayy)
Turn me into ash, culture carried down (Ayy)
From those who came up before me (Ayy), I'm here to change up the story (Yeah, yeah)
Find me at work in the morning (Yeah, yeah)
Find me where people are mourning, man, 'cause death is around every corner (Yeah)
When life isn't free for a person, dog, you act like an animal cornered
Savages speak in a language, y'all, you don't understand, you a foreigner (Bitch)
Don't nobody need an advantage, nah, we needin' some balance and order
But you know that's never the case, never a chance that they changing their ways (No)
It's never a choice that they giving to you, there will never be justice to face
We sing for the sorrow and dance for the pain (Yeah), no one to follow, it's just you and me (Yeah)
I swear that it's coming, we starting today but we wake up tomorrow and things are the same, damn