At the recent Spotify Rap 91 gig in Mumbai, New Delhi’s Sez On The Beat and his MVMNT made it a point to introduce the world to Ankit Bhandari, the rapper better known as Ab 17. While die-hard desi hip-hop fans might know him from featuring on the topsy-turvy song “Batti” on Seedhe Maut and Sez’s album Nayaab, he was now introducing people to Tez Filam, his debut EP which released last month.

Ab 17 says about his big Mumbai debut, “The grand stages have a different atmosphere, there’s an adrenaline rush when you hold the mic and rap in front of thousands of people, all thanks to the management.” The artist’s journey started with writing verses and hooks for a while and finally released “Gande Ilaake Se” as a formative step into the world of hip-hop. “The inner voice and push has always been there and these last two years spending time in the studio with a lot of different artists has taught me a ton of things about making music,” he adds.

As it turns out, the idea of Tez Filam began once “Gande Ilaake Se” released earlier this year. The rapper says, “I didn’t even know that working towards an EP was the end goal, and that happened smoothly with the tracks I released. It took about five months to make the tracks and the reception for it alongside the love and reach, has been worth it. The release of this EP to me has been like a pawn making the first move in a game of chess which I’m yet to conquer.”

At the center of Tez Filam is a menacing, booming and indestructible sense of resolve, heard on songs like the title track (featuring Asmadhe and OG Lucifer), “100K Note,” “MKC” and “Colony.” In a statement, Sez spoke about his direction and adds, “I matched his street talk with blazing yet soothing 808s and a vibrant soundscape which stays cohesive throughout the EP. It’s a new-school fresh sound for New Delhi, the side you haven’t explored or seen.” By his own admission, all Ab 17 had to do was “walk in and record, Sez does his magic and y’all know the rest.”

Up next, there’ll be another video from Tez Filam and of course, more music. The rapper says, “This coming year, I’m stepping up my game, something which I try to do with every record. I’m always making music, and I’m just waiting for the right time and right moment. Besides all of this, the love from people and my city keeps me going every day.”

Listen to ‘Tez Filam’ EP below.