Mumbai-based multilingual crew Swadesi return with a gritty single that takes a critical, in-depth look at how Indian society has reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mahamaari , the group's latest single, features Bengali-Hindi rapper Maharya and Mawali, one of Maharashtra's finest lyricists diving deep into the failings of the Modi government in dealing with the pandemic and the general population's subservience to an administration that has obviously failed in carrying out their core duties.

One of the few artists from the Indian hip-hop scene that has built its brand on offering 'outspoken and bold' political viewpoints from the heart of the Indian youth - Swadesi are relentless in their pursuit of speaking truth to power. Produced by WhayL, Mahamaari is a refreshing change from the trap-based productions currently flooding the airwaves - going back to the humble beginnings of the Indian hip-hop of vocals being recorded over phones.

Swadesi released their debut album ‘Chetavni’ in February 2020, almost five years after the release of the seminal ‘ Laaj Watte Kai’ . In 2019, they released The Warli Revolt , a collaborative piece with Adivasi tribal chieftain Prakash Bhoir that became an anthem for the Save Aarey movement. 

Swadesi is a group of socially conscious rappers whose verses serve as a mirror to society. The multi-lingual crew believes in ‘music with a cause’ and go by a sound that is traditional yet global.

With their unsparing lyrical content intertwined with folk and bass music, Swadesi has created a unique sound and brand of its own in the Indian music landscape. The group broke into the mainstream with their debut track India 91 in collaboration with other Indian rappers in the cult film ‘Gully Boy’. MC Mawali of the group also featured as a rapper on Rajnikanth’s ‘Kaala’ film soundtracks. Swadesi’s most acclaimed body of work yet is ‘The Warli Revolt’ which garnered much attention while taking rounds on the internet as an anthem against the destruction of the Aarey Forest in Mumbai. Taking inspiration from the poems of social reformers like Tukaram, Swadesi is regarded as Indian Hip hop’s only socio-political group, that continually aims to bring about change through art and music.