We Outside by Yelhomie with Augustine Shimray and Sajou Chenglei.
Stream We Outside: https://orcd.co/weoutside_yelhomie
Label: Mass Appeal
Song description:
“We Outside” is not just a track it’s a defiant anthem born from pain, protest, and resistance. Written amidst curfews, gunshots, and internet blackouts in war-torn Manipur, Yelhomie confronts state violence, systemic oppression, and the harsh realities faced by his Indigenous community during the 2023 conflict.
Opening with a haunting tribal chant “Carry the shield, hold the spear” sung by Augustine from Featherheads (Ukhrul, Manipur), the song sets the tone for a battle cry steeped in ancestral strength. Produced by Seej from Mizoram, the beat fuses Indigenous tribal textures with raw hip-hop grit, giving voice to a region often left in
silence.
With hard-hitting bars like “Heavier the pants, the dreams don’t fly”, Yelhomie captures the tragic transformation of students and dreamers into reluctant warriors. The youth, once full of ambition, now carry arms not by choice, but by necessity, victims of a system that fuels chaos to suppress dissent.
The outro features a spiritual invocation in Ancient Meitei-lon written in Meitei Mayek script — a wake-up call to the Yel-hou-mee, the Indigenous people of Manipur, delivered by Oja Sajoubi Chenglei of the Puya temple board (Puya refers to the holy book of Sanamahism, religion of the indigenous Meitei people). Under the shadow of a banyan tree, the elder chants:
“Do we have to live like grass under their foot?
Wake up, Yelhoumee, sons and daughters of the Salai Taret!”
Here, Salai Taret refers to the seven clan lineages (Salai) and “Taret” means seven in Meitei-lon.
This powerful moment bridges the past and present—a cry for unity and cultural survival.
“We Outside” is a song for those who have been silenced — a voice for the displaced, the grieving, and the unbroken. It belongs on playlists that spotlight politically charged rap, regional resistance, raw lyricism, and the emerging fire of East Indian hip-hop.
A film by Hype 79
Director – Krishna Thokchom
Cinematography/Editor – Narry Takhellambam
Drone – Abung
VFX – Naocha
Cast – Augustine Shimray (Featherheads), Oja Sajoubi (Outro), Joy Khundrakpam, Rajkumari Nevia, Mangal Kshetrimayum
Child Artist – Sinthalemba Nongthombam Meitei
Audio Credits:
Produced by Seej
Mixed and mastered by Skar
Video credits
Crew – Malem Sanasam, Rajesh Khaidem, Abung Wairokpam, Ronaldson Takhellambam, Adanial Tokpam, David, Sanathoi Ngairangbam, Niketan Akoijam, Hijam Sanatomba, Totto Thokchom, Skar, Nganba Sanoujam, Chinglen Nongthomgbam, Martin kaidem, Bishal Laisram, Thoithoiba Thokchom, Alish Nongthongbam, Trilokchand Posungbam, Malemnganba Mangsatabam, Somorjit khangebam, Devjit Yumnam, Mahesh Phijam, Lakhan Ngangom, Robinson Wakabam, Amaraj Leiphoubam, Rajesh Pebam, Sunildro Nongthombam, Parihanba Posungbam, AT Heingang Unit 33, Kanglei Hoops, Jonarth Seram, Jupiter Ningombam, Bilson Ngairangbam, Dingku Heisnam, Benish Leishangthem, Newton Thoidingjam, Ronan Warepam, Nelson Sharma, Ngouren Ningombam, Langamba Leiphrakpam, Leishemba Leishangthem, Prince Achom, Tyson Ngangbam, Prithiviraj Sarangthem, Meerel, Richard Rajkumar, Allen (chaoba), Tangku, Darick, Lamboikhongnangkhong gi ema ebel meira paibi sing
THANK YOU 🙏🏻
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