It’s said that an average individual is better destined to survive a tempestuous sea than the callous antagonism of the Delhi rap scene. The influx of an abundance of supremely talented artists has made Delhi a flourishing yet inordinately cutthroat community to thrive in. A place where artists wane out of commercial existence even after gaining massive success in their antecedent phase of their career, it’s evident that an artist can’t secure their position in the industry unless they achieve mainstream success with an album or at the very least, an EP. Even in such harsh bearings, a mention of Delhi rap makes modern audiences envision Qaab’s 2022 album “Violette”, the central figure of our anecdote.
Going back to this album evokes a sense of euphoric nostalgia, reminiscent of the first time I listened to it. For countless listeners, this was their induction into Desi trap music. While a plethora of artists failed to leave a substantial mark in this genre, Qaab effortlessly marked his territory, carving out an acutely loyal fanbase.
The musical miscellany starts off with the late XXXTentacion’s words from a popular interview he participated in with 1035 TheBeat back in 2017. Through his words, Qaab attempts to steer the audience away from their misfortunes, putting them in a more comforting light, reaffirming the fact that they are loved.
We are welcomed with compassion by the tracks “Anti Xan” and “Dbl Cups”. The beats, which are similar throughout the album, showcase dreamlike fluidity as Qaab’s vocals seamlessly fit in. He reflects on his deep-rooted affection for trap music, tracing it back to his childhood. He asserts his resilience from external opinions and expatiates his shenanigans in the city, a theme that’s spread out across all tracks
“Prime Time,” the standout track from the previous year, is the fourth offering on this album. The song maintained its reputation and intensified its popularity from the previous year, getting praisesleft and right for its composition, bop lyrics, and sheer immaculate vibes. The subsequent tracks, continue to explore Qaab’s collective
ambition to transform the Indian hip-hop scene without retreat and features insights on his position inside the industry, portraying his expectations and aspirations, while being complimented by Abix’s composition.
“Bandanalude,” the eighth track on the album, stands out as a personal favorite. An interlude featuring smooth wavy beats, Qaab’s masterful wordplay with the best mixing on the album, rates the replay value of this track very high, underlining its
excellence. The track marks one of Qaab’s finest works to date.
Some tracks may come across as less memorable, showcasing little that hasn’t been already explored in the album. However, “Hazir Jawab” features a beautiful guitar progression, recuperating Qaab’s musical prowess, which shines in his later projects.Additionally, we are reminded of his lyrical prowess in the track “Random Queen/ Adrenaline Freestyle,” which keeps the listeners hooked throughout with his relentless lyrical flow and impressive delivery throughout.
This brings us to the finale of our adventure. The final track “Wannabees,” features Asura. The artists critique the superficial ambitions of many in the industry who seek fame without putting in the necessary effort, calling them “wannabes”. The artists look back at their work and feel pride about how far they have come before closing out the album. An apt end to the album in my opinion.
While there definitely exists repetitive lyricality and lack of diversity in the album, it’s important to understand that Qaab was establishing his musical identity, laying the foundation for future projects like “Vanilla” and “Baggage Claim,” which portray his
musical self in greater lengths, erasing any doubts raised by Violette. Despite its minor flaws, Violette stands as a defining moment in the Indian trap scene. Never was an album of such exceptional quality and consistency seen before. Heralded by
listeners and critics alike, Qaab’s growth to a prominent rapper was a remarkable journey, and the walls of the city of Delhi finally broke down, accepting one of its finest.
