Houston-based AK Arshi is a bilingual rapper who raps fluently in both English and Persian, as he hails from Tehran, Iran. His musical journey has been one marked by exploration, evolution, and constant growth. He is an artist acclaimed as the original trailblazer of Houston Drill, a sound that was lacking entirely in this vibrant city and which he solely contributed to bringing to life. His influence extends beyond the studio as he is also a political activist who has been using his voice and growing global influence to speak against social and political injustices committed against the people of Iran by the repressive and oppressive regime. This has earned him a prominent standing among the Iranian people, who are more than grateful to have someone speak on their behalf.
Appropriately titled “Houston Drill,” this banger marked the start of AK Arshi’s trailblazing career and deservedly introduced him to an eager hip-hop and rap fanbase that was not accustomed to this type of sound and craving something unique—lucky for him, he had just come in time.
Incorporating elements of grime with a faster, menacing tempo, featuring a dark, haunting, and minimalistic soundscape with heavy basslines and threatening synths, Arshi feels right at home with this jam, delivering some aggressive and gritty lyrics and rhymes between memorable hooks that underscore the track’s anthemic allure.
His delivery is unique and laid-back. The accompanying music video is visually striking, ideal for the track’s thematic essence, and signifies Houston’s culture, fashion, slang, and social media trends. The video has gone on to amass over 632K YouTube views, highlighting its tremendous impact on the hip-hop landscape.
For anyone fond of haunting, intense, rhythmic, and catchy hip-hop, “Houston Drill” is exactly what you’ve been waiting on…blast it out loud and play it on repeat.
Follow AK Arshi on Instagram for the latest updates on new music as well as his other endeavors.