It’s no hidden secret that the hip hop community was enthusiastically awaiting a brand-new full-length album from its’ mainstay for over a year. Riding on the success of his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Kohinoor,’ multi-platinum rapper Divine fiercely returns in prime form for his next- a revolutionary, prescient album bearing a fresh vulnerability and showcasing his proficiency at crafting radio-ready anthems.

‘Punya Paap’ is the complete package, his sophomore album that his purist fanbase have always loved the leading rap millennial star of the A-list territory for. The album is a typical Divine fare - walking along the tightrope of emotive lyrical rap that he is known to maneuver so fluently, it is commanding and honest, unafraid and vulnerable.

The captivating and mature work offers a heady auditory experience supercharged-up with authentic insights reflecting the gritty street life, crispy songwriting, blazing bars and ornate harmonies with the leading light of Indian hip hop inflicting his high energy flows, proffering a variety of emotions and synthy futuristic soundscapes for listeners to immerse in. He powers through the familiar hi-hats and hues of contemporary hip hop with muscle and confidence, placing his success in conversation with his struggles, each track’s culmination offering an interlude-like build into the next record. From top to bottom, the richly detailed album bears an entire draped-up and dripped-out vibe and it’s hard not to fall deep into Divine’s world and want to stay there for the album’s entirety! 

The album title with its’ stick-to-your-ribs soul samples and top-tier lyricism draws inspiration from the popular bar from the hip hop superstar’s 2019 single ‘Kohinoor’ – ‘saathvi se saath dost ab bhi mere saath hai / Abhi bhi karte punya, abhi bhi karte paap hai’.

With the inclusion of an impressive slew of bubbly collaborations such as hip hop veteran Nas, Grammy winning Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Cocoa Sarai, British rapper Dutchavelli, Grammy winning producer iLL Wayno, London-based dancehall artiste Stylo G and Indian American singer-songwriter Lisa Mishra who blend into the narrative seamlessly, the heavy-duty polished album reinvigorates interest in Divine’s unique take on hip-hop mixed with disco-themed, dancefloor friendly blend of rap, reggaeton, dancehall, R&B and other subcultures’ aesthetics.

Divine states, “Punya Paap was an idea that was born right after I released Kohinoor. 2020 has been such a roller coaster rider, right from the first recordings in January, subsequently diving into uncharted territories of a lethal pandemic that wreaked worldwide socio-economic chaos and now finally being able to present my second body of work, it’s been quite taxing and emotional! I took all the negativity surrounding me and channeled my energy into my music. The producers really challenged me to do better and I’m extremely glad to be working with such a talented troupe right from Phenom, Stunnah, iLL Wayno, Karan Kanchan, NDS and Kanch! Big shoutout to Nas, Lisa Mishra, Dutchavelli, MC Altaf, D’Evil, Shah Rule for helping me complete my album and contributing to it! Also major props to my entire team at Gully Gang, our partners Mass Appeal India and the team at Reservoir for their support throughout! It’s out in the world now and I invite my fans, my riders, my soldiers and day ones to join me on the ride as I share my triumphs, trials and tribulations through this album.”

Divine’s ‘Punya Paap’, one of the most awaited hip-hop albums of all time, has one of the fiercest track lists I’ve seen till date. Every song is a gem and every lyric is genius. Every song is a piece of Divine’s soul and that makes Punya Paap special beyond words.”

The 11-track seamless, no-skip album is a quintessential exhibition of why audiences love Divine, with earworm melodies over vibrant, often-quaking thumping production. “Doosri album nahi doosri hai kitab” - we can’t seem to agree more!

‘Punya Paap’ is out now in partnership with Mass Appeal India and Gully Gang Entertainment across all major streaming platforms and will hopefully set a new high-water mark in the rapper’s career graph.