Nehru Jackets is the first solo mixtape by American rapper Himanshu. It was released on Himanshu's own Greedhead Music label on January 17, 2012.[1]

Nehru Jackets
Mixtape by
ReleasedJanuary 17, 2012 (2012-01-17)
GenreHip hop
Length73:36
LabelGreedhead
ProducerMike Finito
Himanshu chronology
Nehru Jackets
(2012)
Wild Water Kingdom
(2012)

Rolling Stone named the song "Womyn" the 36th best song of 2012.[2]

Background edit

Himanshu released Nehru Jackets in collaboration with SEVA NY to draw attention to the redistricting battle in Queens, New York.[1] Guests on Nehru Jackets include Despot, Danny Brown, Childish Gambino, Fat Tony, and Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire.[3] In an interview with Rolling Stone, he explained the creation process: "with Mike [Finito], I just kind of let him do his thing. I told him I wanted Indian stuff, and he cooked it up. Mike just gave me, like, 40 beats and I fucked with whatever I liked."[4] The mixtape's cover is a parody of the packaging of Parle-G biscuits.[5]

Critical reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
The A.V. ClubB+[6]
Robert ChristgauA−[7]
Pitchfork6.5/10[8]
Rolling Stone     [9]
Spin8/10[10]

Zach Kelly of Pitchfork commented that "Nehru Jackets as a whole is pretty loose, filled with free-associative raps that find Heems in various states of alertness, sobriety, and engagement."[8] He added, "[Mike] Finito's work is one of the tape's strengths, but it also leaves Heems with a lot of ground to cover, and much of the material ends up feeling unfocused."[8]

Accolades edit

Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Exclaim! Best Albums of 2012: Hip-Hop
15
Forbes Best Free Albums of 2012
13
Spin 50 Best Albums of 2012
49
Spin 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2012
9

Track listing edit

No.TitleLength
1."Thug Handles"1:32
2."Bad, Bad, Bad"3:11
3."Alien Gonzalez"3:00
4."Nehru Jackets Interlude"0:22
5."Choorhay Lare" (featuring Lovedeep Singh and Pawan)3:05
6."Swate" (featuring Lakutis and Kool A.D.)6:09
7."NYC Cops"3:58
8."You Have to Ride the Wave" (featuring Danny Brown and Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire)4:55
9."Mike Finito Raps Too"1:07
10."Womyn"3:22
11."Bangles" (featuring Fat Tony and Big Baby Gandhi)3:54
12."Ravi Shankar PSA"0:35
13."It's the Drug I'm Needing"3:45
14."Coca Cola Freestyle"1:50
15."Chakklo" (featuring Ravi Eah Singh and Lovedeep Singh)4:49
16."Jason Bourne"1:56
17."Desi Shoegaze Taiko"3:09
18."I Want It Bad (Liquid Heart)"2:56
19."Juveniles Detained at Guantanamo Bay"1:59
20."Kate Boosh" (featuring Despot and Kool A.D.)3:11
21."What Do I Do When I'm Alone"2:47
22."Computers"1:56
23."Yo What's Good New York" (featuring Action Bronson, Lakutis, and Kool A.D.)3:43
24."Womyn 2" (featuring Childish Gambino)3:27
25."Tu Nach" (featuring Duggla Don)3:11
Total length:73:36

Notes edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b Kennedy, Channing (January 17, 2012). "Das Racist's Himanshu Suri: Rapper, Jokester, Community Organizer?". ColorLines. Archived from the original on February 3, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  2. ^ "36 Himanshu, 'Womyn'". Rolling Stone. December 5, 2012. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
  3. ^ Hogan, Marc (January 17, 2012). "Das Racist's Heems Drops 'Nehru Jackets' Mixtape". Spin. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
  4. ^ Cubarrubia, RJ (November 1, 2012). "Q&A: Das Racist's Heems on His 'Wild Water Kingdom' Mixtape, Identity Politics". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  5. ^ Complex Magazine (December 13, 2012). "The 25 Best Album Covers of 2012". Complex. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  6. ^ Harvey, Eric (January 31, 2012). "Heems - Nehru Jackets". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  7. ^ Christgau, Robert (January 5, 2012). "Heems - Nehru Jackets". Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c Kelly, Zach (January 26, 2012). "Heems - Nehru Jackets". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  9. ^ Herrera, Monica (February 9, 2012). "Himanshu - Nehru Jackets". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  10. ^ Soderberg, Brandon (January 2012). "Himanshu 'Nehru Jackets'". Spin. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  11. ^ "Exclaim!'s Best Albums of 2012: Hip-Hop". Exclaim!. December 18, 2012. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  12. ^ Galil, Leor (December 14, 2012). "The Best Free Albums of 2012". Forbes. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  13. ^ "SPIN's 50 Best Albums of 2012". Spin. December 3, 2012. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "SPIN's 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2012". Spin. December 11, 2012. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2023.

External links edit