Heems

Born and raised in Bellerose, Queens, New York, he is of Punjabi-Indian descent.{{cite web |last=Getman |first=David |date=April 26, 2012 |title=Above the Radar Part II: Zachg, Danny Brown and Heems on hip-hop today |url=http://www.dailycal.org/2012/04/26/above-the-rader-part-ii-zachg-danny-brown-and-heems-on-hip-hop-today/ |work=The Daily Californian}} Suri's father moved to Flushing, Queens, in 1978.{{Cite web |last=Kalita |first=S. Mitra |date=2020-04-28 |title=A rapper mourns his father and the injustice of a supply chain |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/28/us/queens-rapper-mourns-father-coronavirus/index.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=CNN |language=en}} Suri graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 2003, where he met Das Racist band member Ashok Kondabolu,{{cite web |author=Serena Berry |date=December 23, 2010 |title=Das Racist |url=http://stuyspectator.com/2010/12/23/das-racist/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716161843/http://stuyspectator.com/2010/12/23/das-racist/ |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |access-date=December 24, 2010 |publisher=The Spectator}} and was the vice president of the student council when the September 11 attacks happened two blocks away.{{cite web|url=http://www.caravanmagazine.in/PrintThisStory.aspx?StoryId=1106|title=Mic Check|first=Vivek|last=Menezes|work=The Caravan|date=October 2011|access-date=February 2, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006105248/http://caravanmagazine.in/PrintThisStory.aspx?StoryId=1106|archive-date=October 6, 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/09/the-soldier-and-the-rap-star-a-tale-of-two-post-9-11-students/244705/|title=The Soldier and the Rap Star: A Tale of Two Post-9/11 Students|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=February 2, 2012|first=Benjy|last=Sarlin|work=The Atlantic}} Suri then attended Wesleyan University, where he studied economics and met Das Racist co-founder Kool A.D.{{Cite news |year=2015 |orig-date=March 13, 20154:21 AM ET |title=We Knew Things Were Different For Us': Heems On Rap, Race And Identity |url=https://www.npr.org/2015/03/13/390733655/we-knew-things-were-different-for-us-heems-on-rap-race-and-identity |work=NPR |language=English}}{{cite web|last=Usinger|first=Mike|title=Das Racist's Himanshu Suri drops out for indie rap|url=https://www.straight.com/article-368958/vancouver/dropping-out-indie-rap|work=The Georgia Straight|access-date=February 2, 2012|date=January 20, 2011}} After graduating from Wesleyan, Suri moved back to New York where he worked in the financial sector until finding success with Das Racist.

{{Main|Das Racist#History}}

In 2008, Suri formed Das Racist with his college friend Victor Vazquez, known professionally as Kool A.D. Shortly thereafter, Suri's high school friend Ashok Kondabolu joined as their hype man.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/14/arts/music/das-racist-in-a-concert-focused-on-relax-its-first-album-review.html|title=Order Moves in on Chaos, as Rappers Go Legit|first=Jon|last=Caramanica|date=September 13, 2011|work=The New York Times|access-date=February 2, 2012}} Das Racist first found success on the internet with their 2008 song "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell", and then quickly established themselves within the underground rap scene with their 2010 mixtapes Shut Up, Dude and Sit Down, Man, both of which earned them critical acclaim, including Pitchfork{{'}}s designation of "Best New Music" and national tours.{{cite news |author=Jon Caramanica |date=October 23, 2009 |title=The CMJ Music Marathon Showcases Hip-Hop Talent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/24/arts/music/24hip-hop.html?_r=1&8ur&emc=ur |access-date=November 17, 2009 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=Interview by Deborah |date=2010-12-03 |title=Straight Outta Wesleyan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/05/magazine/05FOB-Q4-t.html |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

While still with Das Racist, in January 2012, Suri released his first solo mixtape, Nehru Jackets, on his own Greedhead imprint.{{cite web|url=http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/01/das_racists_himanshu_suri_on_dropping_a_mixtape_for_queens_redistricting_battle.html|title=Das Racist's Himanshu Suri: Rapper, Jokester, Community Organizer?|first=Channing|last=Kennedy|date=January 17, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2012|work=ColorLines|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203054734/http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/01/das_racists_himanshu_suri_on_dropping_a_mixtape_for_queens_redistricting_battle.html|archive-date=February 3, 2012|url-status=dead}} Nehru Jackets was released in collaboration with SEVA NY. Guests on Nehru Jackets include Despot, Danny Brown, and Childish Gambino.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/01/das-racists-heems-drops-nehru-jackets-mixtape/|title=Das Racist's Heems Drops 'Nehru Jackets' Mixtape|first=Marc|last=Hogan|date=January 17, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2012|work=Spin}} The album has received positive reviews, including a score of 8/10 from Spin.{{cite web|url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/himanshu-nehru-jackets-greedhead|title=Himanshu 'Nehru Jackets'|first=Brandon|last=Soderberg|date=January 2012|access-date=February 4, 2012|work=Spin|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205093414/http://www.spin.com/reviews/himanshu-nehru-jackets-greedhead|archive-date=February 5, 2012}} Heems's second mixtape, Wild Water Kingdom, was released on November 14, 2012, also on the Greedhead label.{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/48588-download-the-new-mixtape-from-das-racists-heems-wild-water-kingdom/|title=Download the New Mixtape From Das Racist's Heems, Wild Water Kingdom|first1=Evan|last1=Minsker|first2=Carrie|last2=Battan|date=November 14, 2012|work=Pitchfork|access-date=November 14, 2012}} It features production from Harry Fraud, Keyboard Kid, Crookers, Beautiful Lou, Le1f, and Lushlife. Guests on Wild Water Kingdom include Childish Gambino and Lakutis.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2012/11/das-racist-heems-relax-reddit-ama/|title=Das Racist's Heems Teases New Album, Defends 'Relax' in Reddit AMA|first=Chris|last=Martins|date=November 14, 2012|work=Spin|access-date=November 14, 2012}}

After the break up of Das Racist, at the end of 2012, Suri moved to Mumbai to work on his first official album, and performed solo in India.{{Cite web |last=Mahindru |first=Megha |date=2012-10-29 |title=Das Racist’s Himanshu Suri Brings His Solo Project To India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/das-racists-himanshu-suri-brings-his-solo-project-to-india/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last=Lockett |first=Dee |date=April 9, 2014 |title=Das Racist's Heems Made a Japanese Commercial for Vitamin Water, and It's Hilarious |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/04/09/heems_japanese_vitamin_water_commercial_watch_himanshu_s_absurd_new_york.html |access-date=April 9, 2014 |work=Slate}} In April 2014, he recorded a Japanese commercial for Vitamin Water. His debut solo album, Eat Pray Thug, was released on March 10, 2015, jointly with Greedhead and Megaforce Records. The first single, "Sometimes," was released on January 8, 2015.{{cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=January 8, 2015 |title=Heems (Formerly of Das Racist) Announces Eat, Pray, Thug, Shares "Sometimes" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/57990-heems-formerly-of-das-racist-announces-eat-pray-thug-shares-sometimes/ |access-date=January 10, 2015 |work=Pitchfork}} The album was recorded in Mumbai and Brooklyn, and includes collaborations with Dev Hynes (aka Blood Orange), Rafiq Bhatia, Gordon Voidwell, Boody B, and Harry Fraud. Heems has referred to the album as "9/11 and Heartbreak." In August 2015, Heems announced that Fox had bought his story rights for a potential sitcom, and that he was working on the pilot.{{cite web |last=Adams |first=Gregory |date=August 26, 2015 |title=Heems to Apparently Get His Own Sitcom |url=https://exclaim.ca/Music/article/heems_to_get_his_own_sitcom |access-date=August 27, 2015 |work=Exclaim!}}

Barring a few features, after an eight year hiatus from music, in 2024, Suri released two albums — both on his new record label Veena Sounds, and jointly with Mass Appeal India{{Cite web |title=Heems |url=https://earth-agency.com/artist/heems/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Earth Agency |language=en-US}} — Lafandar with Chicago-based producer Lapgan (which has features from Kool Keith, Open Mike Eagle, Quelle Chris, Your Old Droog, Saul Williams, Blu, Sid Sriram, Cool Calm Pete and Sonnyjim) and Veena, with production and features from Sid Vashi, Vijay Iyer, Ram Dulari, Lapgan, Cool Calm Pete, Mr. Cheeks and Navz-47.{{Cite web |last=Kappal |first=Bhanuj |title=Heems / Lapgan: LAFANDAR |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/heems-lapgan-lafandar/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2024-08-25 |title=Heems Talks New Album 'Veena,' Plans to Release Third Album |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/heems-veena-new-album-interview/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}

To manage Das Racist, Suri founded his own record label, Greedhead Music, as a management and recording company in 2008.{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2011/12/15/labels-to-watch/|title=Labels to Watch|date=December 15, 2011|access-date=February 3, 2012|work=The Fader}} Greedhead's first releases were the group's 2010 mixtapes. Das Racist's first commercially available album, Relax, was also the first commercial release on the Greedhead imprint. Greedhead has since released solo mixtapes by Kool A.D. (The Palm Wine Drinkard){{cite web|url=http://read.mtvhive.com/2012/01/09/greedhead-records-roster/|title=Hive Five: A Greedhead Records Primer|first=Phillip|last=Mlynar|date=January 9, 2012|work=MTV Hive|access-date=January 14, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409093523/http://read.mtvhive.com/2012/01/09/greedhead-records-roster/|archive-date=April 9, 2012}} and Heems (Nehru Jackets), as well as Keepaway's Black Flute,{{cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16125-black-flute/|title=Keepaway: Black Flute (Greedhead, 2012)|first=Ian|last=Cohen|work=Pitchfork|date=January 9, 2012|access-date=January 14, 2012}} Lakutis' I'm in the Forest, Le1f's Dark York,{{cite web|url=https://www.thefader.com/2012/04/18/stream-le1fs-dark-york-mixtape|title=Download Le1f's Dark York Mixtape|work=The Fader|first=Duncan|last=Cooper|date=April 18, 2012|access-date=April 5, 2017}} and Big Baby Gandhi's Big Fucking Baby.{{cite web|url=http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2011/12/01/lakutis-im-in-the-forest-ep-and-other-reasons-you-should-really-be-paying-attention-to-greedhead-music|title=Lakutis' I'm In the Forest EP and Other Reasons You Should Really Be Paying Attention to Greedhead Music|first=Mike|last=Ramos|work=The Stranger|date=December 1, 2011|access-date=January 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104072514/http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2011/12/01/lakutis-im-in-the-forest-ep-and-other-reasons-you-should-really-be-paying-attention-to-greedhead-music|archive-date=January 4, 2012|url-status=dead}} The label has been defunct since 2015.{{Cite web |last=Beauchemin |first=Molly |date=2015-07-09 |title=Heems Shutters Greedhead Label, Calls Roster "Unappreciative" |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/60322-heems-shutters-greedhead-label-calls-roster-unappreciative/ |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}

Suri has been a vocal advocate of the South Asian community in New York. In January 2012, Suri joined the board of directors of the Queens-based community organization SEVA.{{cite web|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-01-15/news/30630569_1_rapper-talks-seva-senate-districts|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730092713/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-01-15/news/30630569_1_rapper-talks-seva-senate-districts|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 30, 2012|title=Queens rapper adds star power to redistricting battle|first=Irving|last=Dejohn|date=January 15, 2012|work=New York Daily News|access-date=February 3, 2012}} Suri plans to work with SEVA to develop a community center with a recording studio for local youth.{{cite web|url=https://observer.com/2012/01/redistrict-remix-gerrymandering-issue-take-up-by-queens-rapper-and-punjabi-proteges/?show=all|title=Redistrict Remix: Gerrymandering Issue Taken Up By Queens Rapper and Punjabi Proteges|first=Hunter|last=Walker|date=January 11, 2012|work=New York Observer|access-date=February 3, 2012}} Suri has worked extensively with SEVA to push for more equitable redistricting in Queens.{{cite web|url=http://politicker.com/2012/08/das-racist-rapper-asks-christine-quinn-for-a-south-asian-council-district/|title=Das Racist Rapper Seeks to Influence City Council Redistricting|first=Colin|last=Campbell|date=August 21, 2012|access-date=September 6, 2012|work=Politicker Network}} Suri has publicly supported Reshma Saujani's bid for New York City Public Advocate, saying, "We will probably have the highest South Asian voter turnout ever this year because of her on the ballot and the resources she will be putting in it. This is the most qualified and well resourced candidate from the [South Asian] community ever."{{cite web|url=http://politicker.com/2013/04/das-racist-rapper-endorses-reshma-saujani-for-public-advocate/|title=Das Racist Rapper Endorses Reshma Saujani for Public Advocate|first=Colin|last=Campbell|date=April 3, 2013|work=Politicker|access-date=April 5, 2013}}

In addition to his musical career, Suri also maintains a longstanding relationship with the art scene, especially in New York City. In 2010, Das Racist performed as a part of the Whitney Museum of American Art's Biennial celebration, curated by California artist Martin Kersels.{{cite web|last=La Putt|first=Chris|title=Das Racist & Leslie Dick @ The Whitney Museum (pics)|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/05/das_racist_lesl.html|work=BrooklynVegan|access-date=February 19, 2015}} In April 2013, Suri returned to the Whitney as part of the Blues for Smoke exhibit, an interdisciplinary exhibition that explored "a wide range of contemporary art through the lens of the blues and blues aesthetics."{{cite web|url=https://whitney.org/Exhibitions/BluesForSmoke|title=Blues for Smoke | Whitney Museum of American Art|work=Whitney Museum of American Art|date=May 1, 2015|access-date=May 5, 2015}} He performed alongside former Das Racist member Ashok Kondabolu (Dapwell), Greedhead rapper Le1f, and psych-dance band Prince Rama.{{cite web|title=Blues for Smoke|url=https://whitney.org/Exhibitions/BluesForSmoke|work=Whitney Museum of American Art}}{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2013/04/le1f_prince_ram.html|title=Le1f, Mykki Blanco, Prince Rama & members of Das Racist playing the Whitney during 'Blues For Smoke' exhibition|work=BrooklynVegan|date=April 2, 2013|access-date=May 5, 2015}} In February 2015, Heems curated an art exhibition at the Aicon Gallery in anticipation of his new album, Eat Pray Thug.{{cite web|last=Ismail|first=Aymann|title=Das Racist's Himanshu Curated a Show for His Solo Album Eat Pray Thug|url=https://animalnewyork.com/2015/das-racists-himanshu-curated-show-solo-album-eat-pray-thug/|website=Animal New York|access-date=February 19, 2015}} The exhibition contained a wide variety of South Asian artists as well as events and performances throughout its month-long run, including artists such as The Kominas, Riz Ahmed (Riz MC), and Heems himself.{{cite web|title=Aicon Gallery Press Release|url=http://www.aicongallery.com/exhibitions/2015-02-07_eat-pray-thug/pressrelease/|website=Aicon Gallery|access-date=February 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219224511/http://www.aicongallery.com/exhibitions/2015-02-07_eat-pray-thug/pressrelease/|archive-date=February 19, 2015|url-status=dead}}

In 2012, Suri joined an all-star cast of New York musicians in Amrit Singh's documentary short, Dosa Hunt, on a quest to find the best dosa (a traditional South Indian dish) in town.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2641274/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_2|title=Dosa Hunt (2012)|work=IMDb|access-date=August 15, 2015}} In 2013, Heems made his acting debut along with R&B artist Kelis in "Brazzaville Teen-Ager," a short film which starred and was written and directed by Michael Cera.{{cite web|last=Young|first=Alex|date=April 23, 2013|title=Watch Kelis and Das Racist's Heems in new Michael Cera short film|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2013/04/watch-kelis-and-das-racists-heems-in-new-michael-cera-short-film/|work=Consequence of Sound|access-date=May 12, 2015}} In 2015, he played a supporting role as rascally ad agency employee named Reny in Benjamin Dickinson's Creative Control,{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3277624/|title=Creative Control (2015)|work=IMDb|access-date=August 15, 2015}} which premiered at SXSW 2015, where Heems also performed. Suri starred in Tanuj Chopra's 2016 film Chee and T, which premiered at the LA Film Festival.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/global/world-premiere-of-tanuj-chopra-s-film-at-l-a/article_4bacd776-1e18-11e6-be0f-ef58a86a1025.html|title=World Premiere of Tanuj Chopra's Film at L.A. Film Festival|date=May 20, 2016|work=India West|access-date=May 27, 2016}}

Suri has also received attention for his activity on Twitter. In the aftermath of the death of Osama bin Laden, Suri collected and retweeted racist tweets, drawing attention to the prevalence of xenophobia and Islamophobia in the celebratory national mood.{{cite web|url=http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/10-great-das-racist-moments/|title=10 Great Das Racist Moments|first=Charlie|last=Morrigan|date=December 11, 2012|work=Thought Catalog|access-date=January 4, 2013|archive-date=December 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216072312/http://thoughtcatalog.com/2012/10-great-das-racist-moments/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://turnstylenews.com/2011/05/02/heems-curating-post-bin-laden-bigotry/|title=@Heems:Curating Post-Bin Laden Bigotry|first=Sara|last=Imjan|date=May 2, 2011|work=Turnstyle News|access-date=January 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216233751/http://turnstylenews.com/2011/05/02/heems-curating-post-bin-laden-bigotry/|archive-date=December 16, 2012|url-status=usurped}} In January 2011, Rolling Stone magazine named Suri #11 on its list of "50 Top Tweeters in Music".{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-top-tweeters-in-music-20110121/himansu-das-racist-20110124|title=50 Top Tweeters in Music|date=January 21, 2011|first=Amos|last=Barshad|work=Rolling Stone|access-date=January 4, 2013}}

{{See also|Das Racist#Discography|l1=Das Racist discography|Swet Shop Boys#Discography|l2=Swet Shop Boys discography}}

• Eat Pray Thug (2015)
• Lafandar (2024, with Lapgan)
• Veena (2024)

• Nehru Jackets (2012)
• Wild Water Kingdom (2012)

• Small Black – "Two Rivers" and "Sunday Son" from Moon Killer (2011)
• Lushlife – "Hale-Bopp Was the Bedouins" from Plateau Vision (2012)
• Meyhem Lauren – "Special Effects" and "Juevos Rancheros" from Respect the Fly Shit (2012)
• Meyhem Lauren – "Carvel" from Mandatory Brunch Meetings (2012)
• Weekend Money – "Yellow" from Naked City (2012)
• Hot Sugar – "56k" from Midi Murder (2012)
• Hot Sugar – "Born 2" from Made Man (2013)
• Misteur Valaire – "Life Gets Brutal" from Bellevue (2013)
• Maffew Ragazino – "Jackson Pollock" from Brownsville's Jesus (2014)
• Antwon – "KLF ELF" from Heavy Hearted in Doldrums (2014)
• Meyhem Lauren & Buckwild – "Narcotics Anonymous" from Silk Pyramids (2014)
• Vampire Weekend – "Step (Wintertime Remix)" (2014)
• Nick Catchdubs – "Full House" from Smoke Machine (2015)
• Sonnyjim – "Al Jazeera" from Mud in My Malbec (2016)
• Your Old Droog – "Bangladesh" from Packs (2017)
• Your Old Droog – "The Simpsons" from Yodney Dangerfield (2022)
• Rav – "Agent Orange" from LEAP (2023)

• Indians in the New York City metropolitan region

{{Reflist}}

• {{Discogs artist|Himanshu Suri|Himanshu Suri}}
• {{Discogs artist|Heems|Heems}}

{{Das Racist}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Living people

Category:1985 births

Category:Rappers from Queens, New York

Category:American people of Punjabi descent

Category:American male singers of Indian descent

Category:American rappers of Asian descent

Category:Stuyvesant High School alumni

Category:Wesleyan University alumni

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:21st-century American male musicians