#KoraliReview: Dholhas by Maatu

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The return of Maatu comes in ebbs and flows, with his sophisticated sophomore LP taking a more daring, experimental direction than his raw, street-heavy 2018 debut album “Maaroakaa”. Signed to and a core member of Symbolic Records, Maatu released the album at the turn of the year, and, as the album's title would suggest, the project features twelve new songs that mark a distinct shift in the artist's sound. A crucial evolution that feels entirely intentional in creating a visceral, heritage-inspired soundscape. 

By no means is this a mere collection of tracks from the gruelling years; instead, it is a record that represents an artistic leap forward and a calculated testament to progress through conscious, deep narratives.

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Themes & Lyrical Complexities

From battle rap foundations to lyrical contexts that grapple with heavier themes, the album delves into threads of conflict, waves of identity constructs, and poetic love affairs – tropes that signify immense growth in an artist's progression and the ability to venture into uncharted territory. It is a creative flourishing that demands the listener’s full attention. The innovative writing is not limited to a single dimension but extends beyond the lyricist's perspective.

In the album, tracks like “Dhariyaa” and “Kolhakah” feature vivid storytelling and complex characters crafted to achieve a nuanced narrative. The incisive back-and-forth dialogue evokes the style of “Let Me Watch” from Vaudeville Villain, and tales of Maldivian folklore and fables are woven meticulously throughout the track-list. Such a demonstration of literary versatility is what makes this the most commendable feat in the construction of this full-length release. 

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The Burden of the Pen

Regardless of the second album taking nearly a decade to release, the rapper has remained a reasonably consistent presence, feeding fans by dropping collaborative work and cross-label features. Yet, the scene desired more, and the pressure of creating art to its fullest extent had got to the best of the gifted writer. 

The opening track unpacks the struggles with penmanship and what feels like the never-ending dissatisfaction of creating new music that never leaves the right taste on the tongue. To write in Dhivehi means adhering to strict linguistic structures and rules, and it is time-consuming to perfect, as well as to compose a song worthy of being acceptable under the guidelines. Enduring the inadequacies in making the right song is part of the process, and it is undeniable that the adversities faced were vanquished in this bold project, with many appraisals from the fanbase.

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Sonic Layout and Experimentations

A premier assembly of producers was pieced together to make this album cohesively complete, alongside some heavy hitters in the local hip-hop scene. The release of this album also marks the first-ever studio-length album produced by MaaRhythm, an eminent beatmaker from Symbolic Records. However, what may be surprising is the special vocal feature by Susan Ibrahim Fulhu (AKA Soontha) in the song “Kalhujaadhoo”. A peculiar crossover that probably no hip-hop purist could have foreseen on a rap album. 

The release shrewdly blends soundscapes of traditional Boduberu with new-wave synth undertones reminiscent of Falco’s Jeanny, layered over a coterie of beats that give fresh new personas to the diaspora rap genre. To say the least, the synth textures contrast compatibly with the delivery style of Maatu, enabling an atmospheric production that fits appropriately with the desired cadence of this project. One of the more juxtaposed tracks, “Mantharu”, is a standout in how seamlessly Maatu and producer Panda integrate traditionally inclined hip-hop with frenetic psytrance. To find the means to deliver verses in a psytrance song is far from a cakewalk, with its obvious high beats per minute. The uncompromising, roots-driven flow and navigation through the high-octane audio matrix are precisely what give it its edge. Tracks like these are what set the cut above the rest, as it is the bold ones we often tend to be captivated by.

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Echoes of the Past, Sounds of the Future

Patience and artistic tenacity over the haste to deliver the demands of a fast-consumption streaming era is highly respectable. A high-calibre characteristic of an artist willing to sacrifice their art to leave a more impactful impression. Hopefully, that serves as a highly promising indicator for future endeavors.

By following the rules of language and by stepping outside the box compositionally, the rapper has established himself in a distinct tier of hip-hop artists in the Maldives. Whatever had proved to be challenging should now be considered a reward, as the release of "Dholhas" is another milestone achieved by Maatu and Symbolic Records. This proves that the local scene is fully capable of producing subversive art that will continue to influence the islands, and perhaps transnationally.