Album Review: Punya Paap by DIVINE

PUNAY PAAP: FINDING THE GREY BETWEEN EVERYTHING THAT IS BLACK AND WHITE

Vivian Fernandes, popularly known as DIVINE, is an Indian rapper who’s one of the pioneers in the rise of hip-hop and especially the mumbai rap scene in the country. DIVINE is supremely talented and his skills are on showcase in his new album ‘Punya Paap’. With 2020 being one of the most atrocious years of our lifetime, this album seems to bring light to a rather dull time. This record feels personal and DIVINE’S heartfelt letter to his fans with songs featuring some of his best writing and powerful delivery. ‘Punya Paap’ features the finest production that you’ve seen on a desi hip-hop project and is DIVINE’S vision coming together in a form of a spectacle. With abundance of resources at his disposal, Vivian weaves a comprehensive blend of mainstream and underground that would please both his day one fans and the new fans that he has gathered with his rise to fame. The record doesn’t shy away from going deep into Vivian’s turmoils and embraces them as subject matter to show his rise to fame and his rags to riches story. The record is a feature rich frenzy and has upcoming talents such as MC Altaf, D’Evil, one of the rising sensation in Indian pop scene Lisa Mishra and the OG himself Nas.

Artwork by the immensely talented Rishabh Sharma. Check his profile for some amazing artwork and contact him for customized work.

Let’s take a look at the highlights of this project: • 3:59 AM: the album opener starts the proceedings with an introspective banger that sees DIVINE talking about the rap game and his position on top of it. On a stripped down sinister beat, Vivian looks back at his journey to the top and how the community’s perception of him. I’ll go out and say that this is one of the best songs by the rapper till date. • Mera Bhai: this track could have been exceptional but the autotuned hook is annoying and repetitive which lets this song down. Apart from this, DIVINE is on another level on this song with his rapping. DIVINE immerses the listeners into a story with an impeccable flow and fine delivery. • Walking Miracle: this is the magnus opus of ‘Punay Paap’, the India meets the world Collab or the NY State of Mind of the Indian Rap scene. Nas and DIVINE come together to make a memorable song. The production is grand as you’ll expect it to be and stands out from the rest of the tracklist. DIVINE gives several nods to Nas throughout his verse and Nas too delivers a compelling verse on this cut. • Satya: Karan Kanchan deserves a huge shoutout for producing this banger. The sinister bells and the drill beat that it’s laced onto compliments DIVINE’s flow to perfection. The chemistry between the rapper and the producer are a highlight on this project and the same can be seen on this cut. DIVINE samples an iconic bollywood song and that’s his way of shouting out his favourite Sanjay Dutt. • Disco Rap: after a series of serious cuts DIVINE comes out with the most fun track on this record. Slyly giving his opinion on the rising diss culture in the the desi hip-hop scene, DIVINE goes on a chill mode with his sing song delivery on the hook and this is what you call a good hook. ‘Disco Rap’ adds the gully gang flavour to ‘Punya Paap’ with features from MC Altaf and D’Evil who turn up with the most party friendly cut on this album. • Shenai: another shoutout to the producers Stunna beats and Byrd who’ve mixed odd instruments and blended styles together to make the most interesting instrumental on this project. DIVINE rides the beat well like usual and gives shoutout to his love for rap and the gully gang fans. Loved how the shenai was mixed with a trap beat and is looped throughout the runtime. • Rider: Lisa Mishra and DIVINE share a soild chemistry on this ballad, which makes this cut standout. Lisa Mishra has a gorgeous voice and there couldn’t have been a better feature for this track. DIVINE and Lisa harmonize beautifully and the production sees arrangement of keys and a guitar on a trap beat. A good track overall giving a sense of DIVINE’s versatility as an artist. • Drill Karte: the UK drill scene is subgenre that’s gaining prominence in the mainstream by the hour and I wouldn’t have expected this to be included in this project. Dutchavelli and DIVINE go bar for bar in a song that goes unbelievably hard.  • Punya Paap: the titular track culminates this project with DIVINE going into his psyche, presenting us with one of his most personal tracks. This is the perfect album closer as it gives the listeners an understanding of the title of the album as well as culminates the stories and themes that have been touched throughout the project.

‘Punay Paap’ is an excellent project with DIVINE breaking the sophomore album jinx and coming up with a better project than his previous attempt. The only problem that I felt this album had was the absence of a good hook in most of the songs. Songs like ‘Mera Bhai’, ‘Top 5 DOA’ and the annoying ‘Mirchi’ could have been much better with a good hook but this doesn’t take away from the fact that Vivian is one of the best rappers in the country and is India’s representative on the global stage. ‘Punay Paap’ is a testimonial of DIVINE’s talents, he’s just getting started and I’m sure there is a lot more to come because this is just the start. Here’s a link to the album.