Indian-origin British rapper Nika D calls on desi hip-hop mainstay Ikka for his or her new hard-hitting tune “Bombay Moves,” which comes with a VFX-heavy music video showcasing the deadly intent of each artists.
Nika D – identified for his work as a part of Manchester duo Virus Syndicate – has been collaborating with artists throughout the board as a part of his Trading Roots mission that “aims to bridge the gap between U.K. grime and Indian culture,” a press launch says.
Released on Bad Medic Records, “Bombay Moves” follows the 2023 song “Burn,” Nika D’s earlier team-up with desi hip-hop artists like MC Altaf and beatsmith Karan Kanchan. On “Bombay Moves,” nevertheless, manufacturing is taken over by the duo Gliddz, comprising Thomas Van Tran and Guillaume Sergent, delivering a rugged and sturdy beat for Nika D and Ikka to take activates the mic.
While Nika D digs into the hooks and name-checks Trading Roots in addition to his personal stature, Ikka cuts unfastened for his verse, proving simply why he’s probably the most versatile rappers in India proper now, alternating between auto-tuned vocals to low vocals.
With the visible directed by Lost Film’s Tirth Dodia and shot by Avadh Gajjar, the rappers head out to an empty palace mansion to rage with a militia-like crew. The VFX by Mwkthang and Lost Films offers the “Bombay Moves” video a roving, superhero-style aesthetic, with Ikka morphing in and out like X-Men’s Nightcrawler and extra.
Nika D says in a press release, “I’m super hyped with how this collaboration has turned out. Bringing in a serious talent like Ikka was a big moment for the track – his legacy and pioneering approach to the Indian scene. We wanted to create something that was both energetic and authentic, something that represented the boundaries we’re breaking with this Trading Roots project.”
Ikka provides in his assertion, “I’m thrilled to be working with Nika D on this track. His energy and flow are infectious, and I think our styles complement each other perfectly. This track is about embracing our shared cultural heritage and pushing the boundaries of what grime can be.”
While Nika D has been identified for songs like “Doors” and “Creep Killa,” Ikka has spent 2024 working at a prolific tempo, together with releasing his third album Only Love Gets Reply.
Watch the video for “Bombay Moves” beneath.