Cartel Madras is a Canadian musical duo formed by sisters Bhagya “Eboshi” Ramesh and Priya “Contra” Ramesh. They began their careers uploading songs to SoundCloud and, within a few years, emerged as pioneers of their self-defined genre, goonda rap. Their music fuses elements of hip-hop, house, punk, electronic, and South Indian influences.
Known for their confrontational and energetic rap style, the sisters assert their South Indian identity with pride. Their tracks blend Indian and Canadian perspectives, offering a unique amalgamation of cultural influences and progressive ideas. Through their music, Cartel Madras celebrates Tamil and Indian cultures, advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, and promotes progressive politics. The duo primarily writes songs in Tamil and English. Learn more about their journey on calgary-trend.
Music Obsession from a Young Age
The sisters were born in Chennai, India, and immigrated to Canada in 1999. At the time of their arrival, Calgary had a very small South Asian community. As they mentioned in an interview with NME, the city’s conservative atmosphere led to identity crises, and rap was a completely new concept, particularly for Indian women in Calgary.
Bhagya and Priya grew up listening to gangsta rap while deeply immersed in revolutionary literature, shaping their distinctive music style. Their parents, from different parts of India, raised them in Tamil and Malayalam. Their love for vibrant visuals was influenced by the music videos of Indian cinema’s golden era. Other inspirations include Tamil-British singer-songwriter M.I.A. and hip-hop legends MF Doom, The Notorious B.I.G., and Lil’ Kim.
The sisters began their musical journey at an early age, attending vocal and instrumental lessons, creating mixtapes, and showcasing them at parties to encourage listeners. They experimented with various genres before diving into rap during high school.
Forming the Duo
After secretly writing rap for years, they officially launched Cartel Madras in 2018. Initially, their music was hosted on SoundCloud. Their debut mixtape, Project Goonda Part 1: Trapistan (2018), marked their bold entry into trap music, signaling a fresh perspective in hip-hop.
Their work quickly resonated with Calgary audiences, attracting a loyal fanbase. Their rapid rise included electrifying live performances that prompted repeat ticket purchases and widespread media coverage.
During their performance at Calgary’s Sled Island Festival in 2018, they caught the attention of Ishmael Butler, a member of Sub Pop’s A&R team. In 2019, they won a $10,000 TELUS Storyhive grant to produce a music video for their song “Eric Andre (Slick Rick James).” That same year, they signed with Sub Pop Records and began developing new music.
The duo released the six-track EP Age of the Goonda in 2019, featuring adrenaline-fueled basslines layered with Indian classical instruments. Following the release, they embarked on a Canadian tour. In 2020, Vogue India recognized Cartel Madras as breakthrough artists.
Their first international North American tour began in 2020, including performances with the American hip-hop group Clipping. They also released two singles that year: “WORKING,” lauded by CBC Music as one of the most underrated Canadian songs of 2020, and “Stay Up All Night,” an experimental track with complex soundscapes. The singles “DRIFT” and “Dream Girl Concept” followed in 2021.
To support other local creators, the sisters co-founded the collective network Thot Police in 2020 with artists like rapper Jay Sterling and producer Yung Kamaji.
Defining Goonda Rap
The duo’s genre, goonda rap (with “goonda” meaning “thug” in many South Asian regions), blends trap, punk, and house music. Through this style, they narrate stories about unsung heroes and complex life experiences.
Eboshi and Contra proudly represent people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and Canadian hip-hop. Their unapologetic approach challenges stereotypes about Black and South Asian women in rap. Goonda rap conveys a rebellious and bold human spirit, highlighting the transformative power of art in reshaping society.
Hip-hop, often a voice for marginalized communities, becomes a medium for Cartel Madras to amplify untold stories. Their aggressive, confrontational approach redefines their place in the hip-hop world.
The Live Experience
Cartel Madras is renowned for their high-energy live performances, often described as full-scale riots. Their shows blend underground trap, queer, and punk elements, leaving an indelible mark on audiences. They aim to channel their live energy into recordings—a goal they’ve successfully achieved.
Themes in Their Music
Eboshi and Contra tackle themes of identity, race, gender, and sexuality with ease, narrating their experiences as Indian-born immigrants and unconventional women of color. Their messages challenge societal biases but remain subtle and accessible.
For the sisters, art cannot be divorced from politics—it must question dominant ideologies. Their goal as artists is to address these intersections without reducing themselves solely to their identities.
Their creative process begins with rhythm, followed by individual lyric writing. They merge their ideas later, ensuring each retains her unique voice. Constant experimentation and innovation define their work, pushing boundaries to advance their narrative.
Inspirations and Legacy
Cartel Madras draws sonic comparisons to artists like the American hip-hop duo $uicideboy$ and rapper Freddie Gibbs. Their artistry exemplifies how women of color can claim their space in trap music while challenging preconceived notions about identity and the genre itself.
Through goonda rap, Cartel Madras continues to build a legacy of fearless storytelling and transformative artistry.
