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Dhanji | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jayraj Ganatra |
| Origin | Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2019–present |
Jayraj Ganatra, known professionally as Dhanji, is an Indian rapper and songwriter from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He is known for an experimental approach to hip-hop that incorporates funk, jazz, R&B and elements of Indian film music, as well as for rapping in Gujarati, Hindi and English.[1][2]
Dhanji began releasing music in 2019 and released a series of mixtapes and collaborative projects before his debut studio album, Ruab, in 2023. Ruab received coverage from Indian and international music publications, including a review in Pitchfork and inclusion in Rolling Stone India's list of the best Indian albums of 2023.[1][3][4]
Career
[edit]2019–2022: Early releases
[edit]Dhanji began releasing music in 2019.
In 2020, Dhanji released several collaborative projects, including Lost in AMD with Siyaahi and Acharya, Boy Cut with dox, Drive-In Cinema and DZs Control with Zorba.[5] His early work was distinguished by frequent unconventional changes in flow, production and song structure, featuring samples of old Hindi film music.[6][1][7]
In July 2021, Dhanji released "Guru". He followed it with Bagman, a four-track EP produced by Unfuckman.[6]
2023-2024: Ruab
[edit]Dhanji released his debut studio album, Ruab, on 8 August 2023. The album was released through his independent label, Thaltej Publishing Company.[8]
The album combines hip-hop with funk, G-funk, jazz and influences from Indian film music. Pitchfork described the record as a development of Dhanji's earlier genre-blending work and highlighted the influence of James Brown, G-funk, Hindi film music and psych-funk. Ruab is closely associated with Dhanji's hometown, Ahmedabad, which he refers to as "Amdavad".[9] Its lyrics address class, money, identity, mental health and the difficulties of making art in a commercial environment, while also drawing on local settings and experiences.[1][10] The album's collaborators included Encore ABJ, Siyaahi, Gravity, Pho, Arpit Bala and several producers and musicians from India's independent hip-hop scene.[8]
Ruab was included at number six in Rolling Stone India's list of "The 10 Best Indian Albums of 2023". The publication highlighted Dhanji's use of Hindi, Gujarati and English and described the album as a genre-defying work that extended the stylistic range of Indian hip-hop.[3] Mint also included Ruab among its 10 best albums of 2023, describing it as an ambitious record combining funk influences with absurdist writing and commentary on class, mental health and the pressures of artistic work.[10]
Dhanji continued to perform Ruab during 2024 and expanded the project with Ruab (Director's Cut).[11][12] He directed and edited the music video for "Teji", the first track from the album, extending his involvement in his visual work beyond performing.[13] He also collaborated with Siyaahi and Acharya on the collaborative album, Amdavad Rap Life: 2 Heavy On ’Em, Vol 2, in the same year.[14] He also collaborated with singer Krameri, for the promotional single "Express Ways", for the campaign "Connect with the Unexpected" by the lifestyle brand Converse India.[15][16]
2025–present: Drive-In Cinema 2.1
[edit]In April 2025, he was included on the first edition of Rolling Stone India's "Future of Music" list. He described the representation of Ahmedabad as an important part of his artistic approach.[12]
In July 2025, Dhanji and producer Rasla released Drive-In Cinema 2.1, a sequel to his 2020 mixtape Drive-In Cinema.[17][18] The project moved further toward trap and experimental production than Ruab. Mint described it as a more avant-garde record built around chromatic trap synthesizers and 808-based production, while retaining Dhanji's use of Gujarati and his focus on Ahmedabad life.[19]
Rolling Stone India subsequently included Drive-In Cinema 2.1 in its list of "The 25 Best Indian Albums and EPs of 2025", describing the project as a deliberately rough and unconventional work that combined material from different periods of Dhanji's career.[20] GQ India identified him alongside other regional artists as part of a movement toward more experimental and language-specific forms of Indian rap.[21] In the same year, Dhanji performed at the second edition of Lollapalooza India.[22][23]
In 2026, Dhanji was featured on the Indian band Euphoria's ninth studio album, Dhoomsday, on the song, "Tu Bewafa".[24]
Artistry
[edit]Dhanji's music has been described as experimental and genre-defying. His work combines elements of hip hop with funk, jazz, R&B and other forms of popular music, while his vocal delivery varies considerably between releases. A defining feature of Dhanji's writing is his movement between Gujarati, Hindi and English. Homegrown noted that Ruab combined these languages with jazz and R&B-influenced instrumentation,[25] while Wild City described his work as part of India's alternative and avant-garde hip-hop scene.[4]
His hometown Ahmedabad is a recurring setting in his music. "Thaltej Blues", released ahead of Ruab, drew directly on the city and incorporated funk influences and saxophone arrangements.[26]
His lyrics frequently combine humour and absurdism with observations about money, class, identity and artistic ambition. Mint characterized this combination as part of what distinguished Dhanji from more conventional forms of Indian commercial rap.[2]
Dhanji has cited American hip-hop artists and funk musicians among his influences, often referring to himself as "Jay-Z from Gujarat".[27] Wild City has identified Jay-Z, Nas, Ice Cube and the Wu-Tang Clan as influences, while coverage of Ruab has highlighted James Brown and the influence of Indian film composers.[4][1]
Discography
[edit]Extended plays
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Lost in AMD (with Siyaahi and Acharya) |
|
| Lab Rats (with Vneeeet) |
|
| Bagman (with Unfuckman) |
|
Mixtapes
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The Dhaniya Tape |
|
| Drive-In Cinema |
|
| Boy Cut (with Dox) |
|
| DZs Control (with Zorba) |
|
| Drive-In Cinema 2.1 (with Rasla) |
|
Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Ruab |
|
| Amdavad Rap Life: 2 Heavy On ’Em, Vol 2 (with Siyaahi and Acharya) |
|
| Ruab (Director's Cut) |
|
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Guru"[28] | 2021 | Non-album single |
| "Thaltej Blues"[29] | 2023 | Ruab |
| "Trap Kar Rahi Thi" (with Rasla)[30] |
Non-album single | |
| "Album of the Year (Freestyle)" (with Rasla)[31] |
Non-album single | |
| "KEH DO KI YE JHOOT HAI"[32] (with Circle Tone) |
2024 | Ruab (Director's Cut) |
| "Express Ways"[16] (with Krameri) |
Non-album single | |
| "A.U.A"[33] (with Acharya) |
Non-album single | |
| "KHATLA PAR"[34] (with Rasla) |
2025 | Drive-In Cinema 2.1 |
| "Company Building"[35] (with Rasla and Cazma; featuring SAYT) | ||
| "Only Uparwala Can Judge Me"[36] (with Reble and Clifr) |
Non-album single | |
| "8oz. OF PUSSY JUICE" (with RANJ and Clifr)[37] |
Non-album single | |
| "It's About Time"[38] (with Naam Sujal and Siyaahi) |
2026 | Mamafication |
| "Funk You, Pay Me (Red Bull 64 Bars)"[39] (with Karan Kanchan) |
Non-album single |
As featured artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Screenplay"[40] (Acharya and Siyaahi featuring Dhanji) |
2021 | Non-album single |
| "Visual Lies"[41] (Dhanji and Siyaahi featuring Dhanji) |
Non-album single | |
| "White Collar Mafia"[42] (Siyaahi and Dhanji) |
Non-album single | |
| "LTB"[43] (Sammad, Dhanji and 3bhk) |
Non-album single | |
| "Peep the Tareeka (Remix)"[44] (Dhanji, unfuckman and Nanku) |
2022 | Non-album single |
| "Gardish (Remix)"[45] (Dhanji, unfuckman and Baajewala) |
Non-album single | |
| "Yagna (Remix)"[46] (Raghav, Dhanji and unfuckman) |
Non-album single | |
| "Krida"[47] (Rebel 7 featuring Dhanji) |
2023 | Non-album single |
| "Dilli Drip"[48] (Amrit Kalam featuring Dhanji) |
Non-album single | |
| "Tata Indica"[49] (Siyaahi, Dhanji, Acharya and Neil C.K.) |
2025 | Sultanate |
| "Tu Bewafa"[50] (Euphoria featuring Dhanji) |
2026 | Dhoomsday |
Film soundtracks
[edit]| Year | Film | Language | Song | Music | Lyrics | Co-artist(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jai Mata Ji - Let's Rock | Gujarati | "Dakho Dakho"[51] | Ajay Jayanthi | Dhanji, Bhargav Purohit | Ajay Jayanthi, Bhargav Purohit | [52][53] |
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 5 Kappal, Bhanuj (10 August 2023). "RUAB". Pitchfork. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- 1 2 Kappal, Bhanuj (2023). "An indie mixtape: 8 independent musical acts moving the industry forward". Mint. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- 1 2 Tagat, Anurag; Britto, David (15 December 2023). "The 10 Best Indian Albums of 2023". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Dhanji". Wild City. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Tagat, Anurag (24 December 2020). "Premiere: Junta Party Music Brings Together New Hype from Ahmedabad and New Delhi on 'DZs Control'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 1 September 2026.
- 1 2 Tripathi, Shirish (2 July 2023). "Why Dhanji is the Emissary of Multi-Genre Experimentalism and Segues in Indian Hip-Hop". The Indian Music Diaries. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Sarkar, Debarun (7 May 2021). "Dhanji and Zorba's DZs Control: Two Rappers Arrive With Braggadocio, Soaked In Drug-Addled Rhymes". The Indian Music Diaries. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- 1 2 Tagat, Anurag (24 November 2023). "Dhanji Brings Debut Album 'Ruab' Home to Zomaland Ahmedabad This Week". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ ""I love the polarizing effect my music has on people"- In Conversation With Dhanji - The Indian Music Diaries". 28 December 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- 1 2 "The 10 best albums of 2023". Mint. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Entertainment, ABP Live (28 July 2025). "Hanumankind To Seedhemaut: 10 Indian Rappers You Need To Know In 2025". ABP Live English. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- 1 2 Trivedi, Aaryaman (5 April 2024). "Dhanji – Future of Music". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Fulkar, Spandan (2 September 2024). "Dhanji's 'Teji' Video Blurs the Line Between Music and Cinema". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Kappal, Bhanuj (25 June 2025). "The Next Big Indian Rappers You Should Know". Esquire India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dhanji x Krameri, BAGI MUNDA x pho & More: Multi-Genre Musicians Collaborate For Converse India". www.thewildcity.com. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- 1 2 Tagat, Anurag (10 April 2024). "A New Campaign Pairs Nanku and Karun, Pho and Bagi Munda". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Sharma, Sarthak (26 July 2025). "Dhanji's 'Drive-In Cinema 2.1' is A Desi Cine Experience". The Indian Music Diaries. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Online, Bilkul (13 July 2025). "Beats from the Streets: Dhanji and Rasla Drop 'Drive-In 2.1' — Ahmedabad's Hip-Hop Gets a Global Voice". Bilkul Online. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Kappal, Bhanuj (2025). "Three new indie rap records you should hear". Mint. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "The 25 Best Indian Albums and EPs of 2025". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "Indian Hip-Hop's Revolution — led by Hanumankind to Seedhe Maut, King and others". GQ India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Guha, Chirrag (10 March 2025). "What made Lollapalooza India 2025 unmissable?". www.lifestyleasia.com. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "What went down at Lollapalooza Mumbai India 2026". thenodmag.com. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Network, Bollywood Hungama News; Hungama, Bollywood (31 August 2026). "Euphoria releases ninth studio album Dhoomsday featuring Shalmali, Akriti Kakar, Dhanji and KK". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dhanji's New Album Brings A Kendrick-esque Progressive Musicality To Indian Hip-Hop". Homegrown. 21 September 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "Rap & Funk Mix On Dhanji's 'Thaltej Blues'". Wild City. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Kappal, Bhanuj (25 June 2025). "The Next Big Indian Rappers You Should Know". Esquire India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "Guru - Single by Dhanji".
- ↑ "Rap & Funk Mix On Dhanji's 'Thaltej Blues'". Wild City. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "Trap Kar Rahi Thi - Single by Dhanji & RASLA".
- ↑ "Album Of The Year (Freestyle) - Single by Dhanji & RASLA".
- ↑ Tagat, Anurag (30 December 2024). "The 10 Best Indian Songs of 2024: Anuv Jain, Sai Abhyankkar, W.i.S.H. and More". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "A.U.A - Song by ACHARYA & Dhanji".
- ↑ "KHATLA PAR - Song by Dhanji & RASLA".
- ↑ "Company Building (feat. SAYT) - Song by Dhanji, RASLA & Cazma".
- ↑ "'Only Uparwala Can Judge Me' Is A Relentless Statement Of Self-Belief By Dhanji & Reble". Homegrown. 11 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ "Dhanji - Apple Music".
- ↑ Tagat, Anurag (20 March 2026). "#ReviewRundown: King, Naam Sujal, Demonic Resurrection and More". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ MusiCulture (4 September 2026). "Red Bull 64 Bars Season 4 Brings Together Emiway Bantai, Dhanji And Naam Sujal". MusiCulture. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
- ↑ "Screenplay - Single by ACHARYA, Dhanji & Siyaahi".
- ↑ "Visual Lies (feat. Neil Ck) - Single by Dhanji & Siyaahi".
- ↑ "White Collar Mafia - Single by Siyaahi, Dhanji & Aghori Muzik".
- ↑ "LTB - Single by Sammad, Dhanji & 3bhk".
- ↑ "Peep the Tareeka (Remix) - Single by Dhanji, unfuckman & Nanku".
- ↑ "Gardish (Remix) [feat. Karun] - Single by Dhanji, unfuckman & Baajewala".
- ↑ "Yagna (Remix) - Song by Raghav, Dhanji & unfuckman".
- ↑ "Krida - Single by Rebel 7 & Dhanji".
- ↑ "Dilli Drip (feat. Kumo Beatz) - Single by Amrit Kalam & Dhanji".
- ↑ "Tata Indica - Song by Siyaahi, Dhanji, ACHARYA & Neil C.K."
- ↑ "Tu Bewafa - Song by Euphoria, Palash Sen & Dhanji".
- ↑ "Dakho Dakho - Song by Ajay Jayanthi, Dhanji & Bhargav Purohit".
- ↑ "Dakho Dakho - Jai Mataji Let's Rock". Warner Music India. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2026.
- ↑ Sandesh. "From 'Dakho' to 'Samjmaan Na Aaye', Malhar's explosive film Jai Mataji Lets Rock!". Sandesh (in Gujarati). Retrieved 31 August 2026.