Malayali rapper Hanumankind, who rose to international fame with his viral hit Big Dawgs, is set to achieve another monumental milestone. The artist will become the second Indian performer to grace the iconic Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival stage. This follows Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, who made history in 2024 as the festival's first Indian performer.
Hanumankind Makes History as Second Indian Rapper at Coachella 2025
The 2025 edition of Coachella will take place across two weekends, April 11–13 and April 18–20, at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio, California. Known for its global appeal, the festival boasts a star-studded lineup this year, including headliners Travis Scott, who will showcase his post-Utopia era music; Lady Gaga, returning after her 2017 performance; and rock band Green Day, making their debut at the festival.
Joining them are acts such as Megan Thee Stallion, Missy Elliott, Charli XCX, and K-pop stars Lisa and Jennie. Rising talent Tyla, who had cancelled her 2024 appearance, will debut this year, alongside veteran performer Post Malone. For Hanumankind, this milestone marks a significant moment not only for his career but also for the representation of Indian hip-hop on the global stage.
Who Is Hanumankind?
Born as Sooraj Cherukat in Kerala, Hanumankind grew up in Houston, Texas, where his musical journey began. While living in the United States, he developed a deep appreciation for hip-hop, drawing inspiration from global icons like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Logic.
Cherukat returned to India in 2012 and pursued a degree in Business Administration at PSG College in Coimbatore. After completing an internship at Goldman Sachs in 2014, he joined the company as an operations analyst in 2017. However, the corporate world could not contain his artistic ambitions. He left his job to explore music, marking the beginning of his journey as Hanumankind.
The rapper’s stage name is a creative fusion of the Hindi word "Hanuman" and the English word "kind," symbolising "humankind." This distinct moniker reflects his artistic vision and cultural roots.
Musical Career
Hanumankind debuted with his EP Kalari, followed by the collaborative project Surface Level with Kalmi. His breakthrough came with the viral hit Big Dawgs, whose music video was directed by Bijoy Shetty, a frequent collaborator. The track was written, composed, and performed by Hanumankind and produced by Brown Crew Productions.
His albums include other popular tracks such as Genghis, Skyline, Damnson, Southside, and Rush Hour.