Jheli: The tightest collab of 2022

By Mannu Shahi

Inspired by international artistes like Eminem, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Jay-Z, MGK, Tupac and more, Utsaha Joshi a.k.a. Uniq Poet is a Nepali Rapper who rose to prominence through the iconic Hip-Hop show: Raw Barz.

Fascinated with the art of rap Joshi ventured into writing and composing his own material from mid-teens. With over three dozen singles, a full-length album and numerous collaborations under his belt, the rapper’s YouTube engrosses a staggering 427,000 subscribers 

and counting.  

Apart from his personal content, Poet has partaken in numerous collaborations including the 2020 grandiose all-star alliance ‘Kalamkranti Cypher – The Biggest Hiphop Collaboration Ever’ presented by Halla; ‘Makassam’ with Indian emcee Void; and worked with other notable acts such as Albatross, Sacar, Balen, Neetesh Jung Kuwar, Mc Flo, Robin Tamang and Rohit Shakya among others. 

Similarly, another gem from the Nep-hop dynasty is Dharan-based eccentric rapper Bidesh Karki, better known by his stage name Kavi G. Debuting in the scene post winning the Sprite Clear Bol Challenge 2017 and obtaining a verse-slot in the group collab with the late legendary emcee Yama Buddha, a year later Kavi G also matriculated in the Raw Barz Season 4 and immediately distinguished his stance as a protean and well-

versed performer. 

The rapper’s discography includes a full-length album “Gahiro” (2020); two EPs’ “Aaskash Ra Badalharu” (2021) and “Hamle Khelne Khel” (2022); two mixtapes “Kalo” (2019) and “Bhawana” (2018) and over two dozen singles and collaborations. Considered a visionary creator, Kavi G is treasured by his peers and elders for his discerning sense of rhythm, sophisticated vocabulary and idiosyncratic musicality. 

The emcee has been associated with an independent underground media company KTM Collective ever since his inception as a mainstream rap figure. 

Profoundly influenced by Kendrick Lamar, Karki was into music and other creative avenues since his early childhood days and always got the support from his family to pursue his hobbies further. The rapper would not only chip in singing competitions but also poetry recitals, debate programs and public 

speaking events.

These two powerhouses of Nep-hop have joined forces together to bestow their audiences with 2022s’ most flabbergasting 

single, ‘Jheli’. 

Produced by easyonthebeat; mixed/mastered by DJ AJ, the stunning visuals is directed/ edited by Ian Scott Clement; shot by Astro Jholay and Team NFTP (Rooster, Jenishm, Risheek, Akash, Adarsha); produced by Suraj Mainali; Rishav Rimal and Viraj Thapa on executive production; supported by 

Hype X Entertainment, Momo King, Aussie Consultant, Onmise Nepal, Kaalo Fhalaam and Yarchagumba Beverage; Gaurav Basnet as associate director; Jeevan Gautam on AD; Kapil Parajuli on color; Suman Sankar on makeup and Swagat Regmi on 

additional VFX. 

Starring Uniq Poet, Kavi G and Supreme Rai the video with its fascinating plot triumphs the audiences’ expectations right away with its quirky story arch and coherent character 

development. 

The bamboo flute melody prominent all over the track adds a fresh take and an East Asian tang to the entire song. As the tune progresses and drifts away from the velvety, chill aesthetics it shifts towards this transposed rather intensified vibe with some breaks and build-ups making the whole structure rather progressive. 

So, a must listen track from both the musician’s hoard of tunes and a spectacular creative achievement of everyone involved.