Dust to Dust (Mitti) - Golden Roots & a.s. kullar (2024)
I've been playing this lo-fi, Punjabi hip-hop meditation nonstop since it dropped in the spring
Last month I wrote an article for Dazed about the global rise of Jawani 4eva, the raucous, Punjabi-themed music event series founded by fashion designer Sukhchain Singh Sohal in London two years ago. I mentioned how, at the first Jawani I attended last summer, I wore a waistcoat that I bought from Ludhiana on my trip to East Punjab with my dad last year. The party was held on the roof of The Standard hotel in Kings Cross, which boasts an epic skyline view of the English capital.
On arrival at reception, I was directed to the lift to head on up to the roof. As I pressed the button and stepped in, just before the doors closed, a man entered after me. It was Golden Roots, the West London vocalist who has made a name for himself by performing over a range of different beats and accompanying folk instruments at Jawani parties. We shook hands to introduce ourselves. I recognised his artist name from listening to A Sufi Tale, a soothing meditation sung over a lo-fi hip-hop instrumental produced by Birmingham-based a.s. kullar, released in February 2023.
After Jawani, we stayed in touch. Then earlier this year Roots dropped his EP, Cradle to Grave. Most British Punjabi artists commission ghostwriters to pen their words, but he writes his lyrics himself. I’ve been enjoying the whole project, but I truly cannot stop listening to the final track, Dust to Dust (Mitti). Produced by a.s. kullar again over a characteristic lo-fi hip-hop instrumental, it blends blissful vocals about life and death with bouncy bass and crisp drums. It also features recordings from Roots’ personal life, from spiritual wisdom shared at his cousin's funeral to the heartbeat of his unborn daughter. The video is a mesmerising animation by Gagandeep Chahal.
I dare you to watch and listen without becoming soothed by it.
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