Nehru Jackets

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

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]

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

Background

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

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

Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Exclaim! Best Albums of 2012: Hip-Hop
15
[11]
Forbes Best Free Albums of 2012
13
[12]
Spin 50 Best Albums of 2012
49
[13]
Spin 40 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2012
9
[14]

Track listing

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

References

  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.