IMPHAL, Oct 24: Rappers Yelhomie from Manipur and Moko Koza from Nagaland have teamed up for the powerful new project “2 Sons of the East,” released on October 20, 2024. This collaboration, which merges the distinct sounds of the two artists, highlights the challenges faced in their respective regions while celebrating their cultural roots. The music blends traditional elements with rap, offering a bold critique of social and political issues.
Yelhomie, whose real name is Thiyam James, combines vibrant party beats with hard-hitting political commentary. In this release, he addresses the ongoing unrest in Manipur, lamenting the turmoil that has gripped the region for 15 months. He expresses frustration over how systemic issues have affected the youth, using his platform to amplify their struggles. Yelhomie, whose stage name means “indigenous people,” has previously tackled themes of discrimination and government negligence, as seen in his earlier work “Is India My Home?”
Meanwhile, Moko Koza brings his signature multilingual and folk-fusion style to the collaboration, showcasing his roots with authenticity. A two-time Nagaland Music Award winner and recipient of the TaFMA Excellency Award, Koza has gained recognition across national platforms, including the Radio City Freedom Awards. His lyrics in the track highlight the cultural richness of Nagaland, particularly through culinary references symbolizing pride in his heritage.
The collaboration between these two artists began in February 2024 during a meeting in Arunachal Pradesh, where they discussed the evolution of the Northeast Indian rap scene. Four months later, the track’s distinctive boom-bap beat, created by producer Yugi Beats in Bangalore, fused desi samples into the sound.
The music video for “2 Sons of the East,” shot in Shillong, features the traditional Khasi Ryndia Silk, a cultural symbol of the Khasi community, to bring together the region’s diversity. Yelhomie explains that the inclusion of the Ryndia Silk aims to unify the various cultures of Northeast India into one cohesive narrative.
In addition to celebrating their heritage, the track doesn’t shy away from political themes. Yelhomie criticizes the failures of the government with bold lyrics like, “Straight outta Manipur, bindi kya hai bhai? / It’s straight bullets on the forehead bruh / This sh*t ain’t a metaphor / And my people really mad at goi.” Both rappers emphasize that their goal is not commercial success, but rather, to represent their regions and inspire change.
The track was mixed and mastered by Skar, with a music video directed by Apdor and edited by Narry Takhellambam.
