Big Dawgs Explained

Big Dawgs
Cover:BigDawgs-Hanumankind.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:Hanumankind featuring Kalmi
Language:English
Genre:Hip hop
Label:Universal India
Producer:Kalmi
Chronology:Hanumankind
Prev Title:Ayyayyo
Prev Year:2023

"Big Dawgs" is a song recorded by Indian rapper Hanumankind featuring producer Kalmi. It was released on July 9, 2024, under the label Universal Music India. The music video, in which Hanumankind performs within a classic carnival attraction known as the well of death, ("Marana Kinar" in the Malayalam language) was released on the same day.[1] [2]

"Big Dawgs" quickly gained international acclaim, debuting at number 57 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[3] The song has amassed 65 million streams on Spotify and went viral on TikTok with 111 million views, and over 1,600,000 searches on Shazam.[4] [5] The song's success led to Hanumankind being featured on the cover of Spotify's Global Hip Hop Playlist and signing with Capitol Records.[6] [7]

Background

Hanumankind's breakthrough came with the 2023 track "Go To Sleep", featuring music by Parimal Shais and a nod to Fight Club. The song was praised for Hanumankind’s daring style. In 2024, he released a song called "Big Dawgs", produced by Kalmi under Brown Crew Productions,[8] and released under the label Universal Music India, which has been recognized as his biggest hit so far.[9]

"Big Dawgs" is a powerful anthem that embodies resilience and ambition. The song blends traditional South Asian (naadan) swagger with Western musical influences. It features a dynamic combination of punk energy and intense drum beats, creating a powerful and hard-hitting sound.[10] The lyrics reflect Hanumakind's personal journey and resonate with the aspirations of his generation. The song emphasizes themes of hard work and determination, showcasing Hanumankind's lyrical skill through clever wordplay and metaphors.[11] Some have accused the song of supposedly ripping off the flow of American rapper Project Pat from Drake's song "Knife Talk", although Hanumankind makes a direct reference to Project Pat in the lyrics.[12]

Music video

Development

The music video for "Big Dawgs", directed by Bijoy Shetty, was shot in Ponnani, Kerala at the Great Indian Maruty Circus in the "Well of Death", traditionally known as "Marana Kinar" in Malayalam language in Kerala.[13] [14] This rapidly vanishing carnival act showcases motorcyclists and drivers performing gravity-defying stunts within a cylindrical structure.[15] Hanumankind's choice to film his video in this setting pays tribute to a dying art form, revitalizing a spectacle that has captivated regional audiences for decades.[9] [16] [17] [18]

According to creative director Bijoy Shetty, Sooraj initially proposed using cars and bikes in the video. Shetty was against this idea, believing it would blend in with other content and lack originality. This resistance led to a moment of inspiration: While Shetty was in a rickshaw; he heard a bike engine that resonated with the song's sample. Afterward, Shetty researched and conceptualized the video. Shetty remarked, "It was an idea that everybody had in their mind but never executed. It was an idea waiting to be done".

Synopsis

In the video, the opening screen displays a typical "Warning" message indicating that the stunts were performed by professionals and advising viewers not to attempt them. However, Hanumankind interrupts this warning by saying, "Hey, shut the f*ck up", effectively dismissing the message.[19] The video cuts to Hanumankind standing at the edge of the cylindrical structure, surrounded by a group of stunt performers. As the song begins, the performers ride their motorcycles and drive a car around the well at high speeds. The performance scenes are interspersed with shots of the audience, who are mesmerized by the show.[1] [20]

Reception

Streamer Shaquille Davis praised the song and its production, identifying Hanumankind’s Texas rap influences. He also noted a striking resemblance between Hanumankind's outfit in the "Big Dawgs" music video and Freddie Mercury's style.[21] Samaah Noor Sheikh, writing for The Print, criticized the American streamer IShowSpeed for repeatedly asking "Why does he sound good?" in his reaction— "as if it was hard for him to believe that an Indian rapper could actually be good". Despite this, Sheikh acknowledged that IShowSpeed's reaction helped platform the Indian music scene.[22]

Commercial performance

"Big Dawgs" has reached number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the most recent chart, marking a significant achievement for both artists. In Australia, it has reached number 9 on the ARIA Singles Chart.[23] The song performed even better in Canada and New Zealand, reaching number 9 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 2 on the Official New Zealand Music Chart, respectively to-date.[24] [25] [26] Additionally, it peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Global 200, reflecting its worldwide appeal and popularity.

Charts

Chart (2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)9
Australia Hip Hop/R&B (ARIA)[27] 1
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[28] 9
Global 200 (Billboard)[29] 9
Iceland (Plötutíðindi)[30] 19
India (Billboard)[31] 3
India International (IMI)[32] 1
Lithuania (AGATA)[33] 12
Luxembourg (Billboard)[34] 20
Malaysia (Billboard)[35] 7
Malaysia International (RIM)[36] 8
MENA (IFPI)[37] 2
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[38] 2
Norway (VG-lista)[39] 30
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[40] 42
Saudi Arabia (IFPI)[41] 17
Singapore (RIAS)[42] 8
South Africa (Billboard)[43] 10
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 64
UAE (IFPI)[45] 1
UK Asian Music (OCC)[46] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[47] 23
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[48] 5

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-08-05 . Meet HanuMankind, singer-rapper with the latest global hit 'Big Dawgs' . 2024-08-06 . India Today . en . 2024-08-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240809033429/https://www.indiatoday.in/music/story/hanumankind-big-dawgs-latest-viral-song-kerala-born-bengaluru-based-rapper-singer-2577087-2024-08-05 . live .
  2. Web site: Hanumankind's 'Big Dawgs' Success Story . 2024-08-06 . Rolling Stone India . en-US . 2024-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806130042/https://rollingstoneindia.com/web-stories/hanumankind-big-dawgs-streaming-stats-data/ . live .
  3. Web site: Tagat . Anurag . 2024-08-09 . Hanumankind's 'Big Dawgs' Surpasses Kendrick's 'Not Like Us' on Spotify Global Chart . 2024-08-11 . Rolling Stone India . en-US.
  4. Web site: Big Dawgs - Hanumankind & Kalmi: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts . 2024-08-11 . Shazam . en-us.
  5. Web site: Tagat . Anurag . 2024-08-09 . Hanumankind's 'Big Dawgs' Surpasses Kendrick's 'Not Like Us' on Spotify Global Chart . 2024-08-11 . Rolling Stone India . en-US.
  6. Web site: Hanumankind's 'Big Dawgs' causes global sensation . 2024-08-11 . liftedasia.com . en-US.
  7. Web site: Bhavika . Rathore . August 10, 2024 . HanuMankind surpasses THIS legendary track on Global Top 50 charts on Spotify . Hindustan Times.
  8. Web site: 'Indians speak English?' 'Kamala's nephew': Kerala rapper Hanumankind faces racism after 'Big Dawgs' goes global . 2024-08-07 . Onmanorama . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807032856/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/music/2024/07/25/rapper-hanumankind-big-dawgs-faces-racism-online-after-music-video-goes-global.html . live .
  9. News: Tagat . Anurag . 2024-07-30 . Hanumankind interview: Kerala-origin Bengaluru rapper catapults into the big leagues with 'Big Dawgs' . 2024-08-07 . The Hindu . en-IN . 0971-751X . 2024-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806165144/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/hanumankind-interview-kerala-origin-bengaluru-rapper-catapults-into-the-big-leagues-with-big-dawgs/article68459336.ece . live .
  10. Web site: 2024-08-07 . Kerala-Born Rapper Hanumankind Puts Desi Hip-Hop On Global Map . 2024-08-07 . www.indianweekender.co.nz . en . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807060106/https://www.indianweekender.co.nz/features/kerala-born-rapper-hanumankind-puts-desi-hip-hop-on-global-map . live .
  11. Web site: 2024-08-04 . Who Is Hanumankind? The Kerala Rapper Taking Global Hip-Hop By Storm With 'Big Dawgs' . 2024-08-07 . News18 . en . 2024-08-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240805013050/https://www.news18.com/movies/who-is-hanumankind-the-kerala-rapper-taking-global-hip-hop-by-storm-with-big-dawgs-8989734.html . live .
  12. Web site: Sharma . Vanshika . 2024-07-26 . Big Dawgs by Hanumankind song lyrics and meaning in English explained as video goes viral . 2024-08-07 . The SportsGrail . en . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807052458/https://thesportsgrail.com/big-dawgs-by-hanumankind-song-lyrics-and-meaning-in-english-explained-as-video-goes-viral/ . live .
  13. Web site: 2024-08-06 . HanuMankind: Kerala-born rapper captures the West with desi hip-hop hit, 'Big Dawgs' . 2024-08-07 . The Statesman . en . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807020804/https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/hanumankind-kerala-born-rapper-captures-the-west-with-desi-hip-hop-hit-big-dawgs-1503328922.html . live .
  14. Web site: Sominder . Aadrika . August 7, 2024 . Daring riders, risked lives & more: 'Maut ka Kuan' in Hanumankind's Big Dawgs is more than just a music video backdrop . August 7, 2024 . Hindustan Times.
  15. Web site: Trivedi . Aaryaman . 2024-07-24 . Big Dawgs: Hanumankind Is The Brown Daredevil We've Been Waiting For . 2024-08-07 . Rolling Stone India . en-US . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807032857/https://rollingstoneindia.com/big-dawgs-hanumankind-is-the-brown-daredevil-weve-been-waiting-for/ . live .
  16. Web site: 2024-08-01 . Kerala rapper Hanumankind's 'Big Dawgs' music video takes Internet by storm . 2024-08-06 . The Federal . en . 2024-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240801143342/https://thefederal.com/category/entertainment/kerala-rapper-hanumankinds-big-dawgs-music-video-takes-internet-by-storm-136565 . live .
  17. Web site: 2024-08-04 . Kerala rapper Hanumankind goes global with 'Big Dawgs'; know all about the viral sensation . 2024-08-06 . WION . en-us . 2024-08-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240806033101/https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/kerala-rapper-hanumankind-goes-global-with-big-dawgs-know-all-about-the-viral-sensation-746951 . live .
  18. Web site: August 1, 2024 . Greatest music video to come out of India': Kerala rapper Hanumankind's Big Dawgs gets internet raving . Hindustan Times . August 7, 2024 . August 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240809033352/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/music/greatest-music-video-to-come-out-of-india-kerala-rapper-hanumankinds-big-dawgs-gets-internet-raving-101722499782754-amp.html . live .
  19. Web site: Indian Rapper Goes Viral, Music Video Features Motorcycle 'Wall of Death' . 2024-08-07 . RideApart.com . en . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807062451/https://www.rideapart.com/news/728294/hanumankind-big-dawgs-music-video-wall-of-death/ . live .
  20. Sharma . Isha . 2024-08-02 . Big Beats, Death-Defying Stunts: How Indian Rapper Hanumankind Stunned Audiences With His Viral Hit 'Big Dawgs' . 2024-08-06 . Rolling Stone . en-US . 2024-08-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240804131030/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/hanumankind-big-dawgs-video-indian-hip-hop-1235072670/ . live .
  21. Web site: 2024-08-04 . "This n***a look like Freddie Mercury": Music Wunderkind 'HanuManKind' from India is Showing American Rappers How it's Done, Even YouTuber No Life Shaq Left Speechless after Listening to 'Big Dawgs' . 2024-08-07 . fandomwire.com . en-US . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807062812/https://fandomwire.com/this-na-look-like-freddie-mercury-music-wunderkind-hanumankind-from-india-is-showing-american-rappers-how-its-done-even-youtuber-no-life-shaq-left-speechless-after-listening-to-big-da/ . live .
  22. Web site: Sheikh . Samaah Noor . 2024-08-03 . West is shocked rapper Hanumankind is Indian. Get over it—we do more than Bollywood music . 2024-08-08 . ThePrint . en-US . 2024-08-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240808124807/https://theprint.in/opinion/pov/west-is-shocked-rapper-hanumankind-is-indian-get-over-it-we-do-more-than-bollywood-music/2205312/ . live .
  23. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. August 19, 2024. August 16, 2024.
  24. Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of August 17, 2024 . August 13, 2024 . . August 9, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240809033353/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canadian-hot-100/2024-08-17/ . live .
  25. 1820542289459957993 . billboardcharts . @Hanumankind1 & #Kalmi's "Big Dawgs" debuts at No. 57 on this week's #Hot100. . August 5, 2024 . August 6, 2024.
  26. Web site: 2024-08-07 . Hanumankind's 'Big Dawgs' Rockets onto Billboard Hot 100 . 2024-08-07 . The Plunge Daily . en-US . 2024-08-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807052458/https://mybigplunge.com/soundplunge/hanumankinds-big-dawgs-rockets-onto-the-billboard-hot-100/ . live .
  27. Web site: ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart. Australian Recording Industry Association. August 19, 2024. August 16, 2024.
  28. Billboard Canadian Hot 100: Week of August 24, 2024 . August 20, 2024 . Billboard.
  29. Billboard Global 200: Week of August 24, 2024 . August 20, 2024 . Billboard.
  30. Web site: Streymi, spilun og sala viku 33.. is. Plötutíðindi. August 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240817091013/https://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/. August 17, 2024. dead.
  31. India Songs: Week of August 17, 2024. Billboard. August 13, 2024.
  32. Web site: IMI International Top 20 Singles for week ending 12th August 2024 Week 32 of 52. IMIcharts. August 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240815074618/https://imicharts.com/.
  33. Web site: 2024 33-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100). AGATA. lt. August 16, 2024. August 16, 2024.
  34. Luxembourg Songs: Week of August 24, 2024. Billboard. August 20, 2024.
  35. Malaysia Songs: Week of August 24, 2024. Billboard. August 20, 2024.
  36. Web site: TOP 20 Most Streamed International Singles In Malaysia Week 32 (02/08/2024-08/08/2024). RIM. August 18, 2024. August 18, 2024. Facebook.
  37. Web site: The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official MENA Chart Top 20 from 02/08/2024 to 08/08/2024. theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. August 15, 2024. August 15, 2024. http://archive.today/2024.08.15-070744/https://www.theofficialmenachart.com/weeklychart. live.
  38. Web site: August 19, 2024 . NZ Top 40 Singles Chart . August 16, 2024 . Recorded Music NZ.
  39. Web site: Singel 2024 uke 33. VG-lista. August 16, 2024.
  40. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie. OLiS. pl. August 15, 2024. Select week 02.08.2024–08.08.2024..
  41. Web site: The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official Saudi Arabia Chart Top 20 from 02/08/2024 to 08/08/2024. theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. August 16, 2024. August 16, 2024. http://archive.today/2024.08.16-124638/https://www.theofficialmenachart.com/weeklychart. live.
  42. Web site: RIAS Top Charts Week 32 (2 - 8 Aug 2024). RIAS. August 20, 2024. August 20, 2024. https://archive.today/2024.08.20-070001/https://www.rias.org.sg/rias-top-charts/.
  43. South Africa Songs: Week of August 24, 2024. Billboard. August 20, 2024.
  44. Web site: Veckolista Singlar, vecka 33. Sverigetopplistan. August 16, 2024.
  45. Web site: The Official Mena Chart - This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20 from 02/08/2024 to 08/08/2024. theofficialmenachart.com. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. August 16, 2024. August 16, 2024. http://archive.today/2024.08.16-124638/https://www.theofficialmenachart.com/weeklychart. live.
  46. Web site: Official Asian Music Chart Top 40. Official Charts Company. August 9, 2024.
  47. Billboard Hot 100: Week of August 24, 2024 . August 20, 2024 . Billboard.
  48. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs: Week of August 24, 2024 . August 20, 2024 . Billboard.

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