Abhir Hathi has long discarded easy labels and stereotypes, choosing a path defined by personal growth and artistic freedom. The Canarian rapper with Indian roots, who first caught attention with Lazos y knots in 2021, delivered what many consider one of 2023’s most compelling albums. Brown boy unfolds as a work forged through a sanctified identity crisis, a theme he explores live at Razzmatazz this week. I fell in love for a moment, he recalls of a turning point in 2022, a year when Madrid became his home for six years while he balanced music with a day job. He explains that quitting the office life was a deliberate decision, a rejection of conformity, and the result is nothing short of remarkable.
The 28-year-old from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria reframes success away from numbers, charts, and conventional measures of achievement. He describes success as a broader concept tied to how the world and the market perceive art and what people aim to accomplish through music. He notes that the most important lesson in recent years has been a shift in perception, both as an artist and as a person. Peace and clarity without a heavy burden or fog in the mind have become the new markers of achievement. A manager’s adage resonates with him: music is the currency, taste is secondary. Brown boy brims with beloved tracks and features collaborations with Quevedo, Ébano, Juicy BAE, and Cruz Cafuné, creating a tapestry of sounds that many listeners will recognize as essential.
The album, shaped with Saint Lowe as a key collaborator in its production, stands as a testament to origins and a grounded understanding of the music business. It breaks away from prevailing trends with an experimental atmosphere that translates the artist’s inner journey outward. Hathi explains that a childhood realization now informs his present stance, pushing him to step beyond the insular world of urban music and rap. While that world is vibrant and dynamic, he feels it can be limiting, and Brown boy reflects a broader artistic exploration that invites listeners into a more expansive sonic space.
Hathi also speaks on the experience of racism tied to being the child of immigrants, acknowledging the responsibility he carries. He emphasizes the importance of honoring his parents’ sacrifices and not wasting their effort by chasing hollow fame. The message is clear: the debt owed to those who paved the way cannot be repaid with reckless choices, and he carries that memory with him in every note he records.
In a chapter titled From Bombay to Las Palmas, he charts his journey with raw honesty, signaling resilience in the face of prejudice. He voices a blunt stance on racist behavior that hides behind anonymous profiles, underscoring a stubborn hope that Spain will become more inclusive in time, even if change seems slow. He maintains a steady resolve: he will continue to speak his truth, turning prejudice into fuel for greater creativity and impact.
Spain is evolving into a more diverse musical landscape, and Brown boy marks a turning point in a scene no longer defined by a single, uniform voice. A new generation of artists with mixed roots is stepping forward, and Abhir Hathi sees a pivotal moment in this shift. He singles out Morad and Beny Jr as pivotal influences, artists who helped illuminate a path for voices like his. Their presence and achievements demonstrate that it is possible to connect across boundaries, proving that what matters most is the music itself and the stories behind it. The aspiration is clear: a future where brown, immigrant, and international perspectives stand at the forefront of the country’s musical narrative, not on the margins.