The Brewing Storm in Indian Hip-Hop: Azadi Records, SOS, and Seedhe Maut Controversy
The Indian hip-hop scene, known for its raw energy and dynamic collaborations, is currently witnessing a major controversy that has sent ripples through the community. At the heart of this unfolding drama are Azadi Records, a pioneering label in the genre, and two of its prominent duo’s : SOS (Tufail and AATANKI) and Seedhe Maut ( calm and encore). What started as subtle hints and underground whispers has now escalated into a full-blown public dispute, shedding light on the intricate and often tumultuous relationships within the industry. However, the roots of this controversy run deep, involving complex issues of favouritism, project prioritisation, and creative disputes. Here’s a detailed look at the reasons behind this ongoing saga:
Unveiling the Origins of the Conflict
The controversy can be traced back to internal issues within Azadi Records, specifically involving its CEO, Mo Joshi. In a revealing interview, SOS broke their silence, claiming that they have substantial evidence to back up their grievances, while alleging that Seedhe Maut has failed to produce any receipts to counter these claims. This accusation points to a deeper rift and suggests a lack of transparency and accountability within the label’s operations.
The Struggle for Project and Fund Allocation
One of the key issues brought to light by SOS is the alleged unfair prioritization of projects. According to SOS, whenever they planned new projects and required funds, Seedhe Maut’s projects always seemed to take precedence. This favoritism reportedly led to the stalling of SOS’s projects, such as those for Aatankki and Tufail, which were paused and received no priority. Such claims highlight the internal power struggles and the complexities of managing multiple artists within a competitive label.
Creative Disputes and the Battle for Originality
Adding fuel to the fire is a significant creative conflict involving the release of Seedhe Maut’s “?” album. This album, which features songs all starting with the letter ‘N’, has been claimed by SOS to be based on their concept. SOS had been planning a project titled ‘Keef’, where all the songs would start with the letter ‘K’ (e.g., Kotarbaazi, Kaalbaefi, Koshur Flex). This allegation of idea appropriation has intensified the dispute, bringing issues of intellectual property and creative integrity to the forefront.
Twitter thread: https://x.com/OmgUnfiltered/status/1798639145184891248
Seedhe Maut consistently received priority over other artists signed to Azadi Records, primarily due to their impressive performance and popularity at the time. In an interview, Mo Joshi, the CEO of Azadi Records, openly admitted that when asked to choose between Prabh Deep and Seedhe Maut, he chose Seedhe Maut because they were “bigger artists”.
The controversy intensified when Seedhe Maut released the track “Natkhat”. SOS claimed that the track contained shots aimed at them. However, Encore, clarified through his Instagram story that there were no shots intended at SOS”. Additionally In response to the perceived shots, SOS recorded a diss track. Although this track was never officially released but a leaked version is available online. The track appears to contain responses to several bars from Seedhe Maut’s “?” album, further fueling the controversy.
After the interview by SOS in march 2024 where they revealed the real reason for dispute, Seedhe maut announced their lunch break tour and in the end of the announcement there was a free verse by calm and encore. For all those questioning ki “encore ne kisko whack bola” and now we have the answer. After this announcement a free verse was dropped by Tufail which clearly had shots on seedhe maut. To which encore again replied indirectly through his captions and one liners on stories.
And the beef didn’t stop here, both of them continued taking shots on each other either through Instagram lives or stories or songs. Encore even copied the flow of on of the unreleased track by SOS in the song joint in the booth. The quite master calm in the track “RAITA” a part of recently released album by frappe ash replied to sos with the line “kri thi koshish diss krne ki aaya tha gaana mere pass unreleased vo” which is clearly refring to the leaked track by SOS. And since after the release of this track, there are many cryptic posts by SOS pointing towards a possible diss track in future.
This ongoing saga underscores the intense rivalries and complex relationships within the Indian hip-hop scene, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next development in this high-stakes drama.
