‘Hello’ Explained: KR$NA and Awich on Their Terms, Their Game
KR$NA’s track “Hello,” which features a dynamic collaboration with Japanese hip-hop artist Awich, is a standout song from his album Yours Truly (released around 22nd May 2025). More than just a simple greeting, the song serves as a bold international introduction and a clear statement about professionalism, self-worth, and operating on one’s own terms in the demanding world of music. The chorus, with its mix of greetings in Hindi (“Haan ji, Namaste”) and Japanese (“Hajimemashite” – meaning “Nice to meet you”), immediately sets a global stage, signaling a meeting of powerful artistic forces.
KR$NA uses his verses to assert his hard-won success and resilience. He talks about life being a “game” in which he has consistently won, learning to navigate tough city environments and overcoming challenges that felt like deep waves. He highlights his sharp lyrical skills and his no-nonsense approach to the industry, making it very clear that his time and attention are valuable and primarily reserved for serious business, especially matters involving financial engagement (“money involved”). Awich complements this with her own powerful presence, celebrating this major collaboration that brings her from a “small island” to a global stage. She speaks about her unique identity, embracing a philosophy learned from India, and her undeniable impact, all while delivering her verses with a distinct and captivating flow. “Hello” is essentially an introduction to two artists who are confident, globally-minded, and very clear about their terms of engagement.
A Global Handshake: “Namaste” Meets “Hajimemashite”
The song kicks off by immediately establishing its international flavor. The chorus isn’t just KR$NA saying “Hello”; it’s a blend of greetings. We hear the familiar Indian “Haan ji, Namaste,” a polite and respectful greeting, alongside Awich’s Japanese “Hajimemashite,” which is used when meeting someone for the first time. This blend isn’t just for show; it signals that this is a collaboration that crosses borders and cultures.
This multilingual greeting sets the stage for a song that is about making an introduction on a larger platform. It’s KR$NA and Awich announcing their presence together, ready to make an impact. It also hints at the global nature of music today, where artists from different parts of the world can connect and create something new and exciting for a worldwide audience.
KR$NA’s Winning Formula: Survival, Skill, and Sharp Focus
KR$NA’s verses are packed with his signature confidence and reflections on his journey. He describes life as a “game” in which he has consistently emerged victorious. He talks about learning to be cautious and keep his distance from untrustworthy people (“geron”) while navigating city life, and how he learned to “swim in the depths” by facing life’s challenging “waves.” He metaphorically states he has “married the game” of rap, calling it his beautiful beloved, showing his complete dedication.
He also touches upon the tough environment he comes from, where young men might carry weapons (“asla”) at their waists, using a clever wordplay involving Shakira to hint at danger. He asserts his lyrical superiority, claiming he doesn’t lose when it comes to a line-for-line rap battle (“bar for bar”). His flow is described as incredibly potent, like an addictive substance. He also speaks of sharpening his pen on the edge of a “Katana” (a Japanese sword), a metaphor for his deadly sharp lyrics, which ties in nicely with the collaboration with a Japanese artist. Even when faced with negativity, like people trying to “attack” him only to retreat (“back peddling”), or comments about his appearance (“lack melanin”), he stands strong, acknowledging his own “dark side” or fierce inner strength, similar to a famous cinematic character’s transformation.
“Call Me When Money’s Involved”: The Price of Attention
A very direct and important message comes through in the chorus, driven by KR$NA. He makes it very clear that his time and engagement are reserved for serious matters, particularly those that are professional or financial. He states that people should call him when “money is involved,” otherwise his phone line is likely to be “busy.”
This isn’t necessarily about being greedy; in the competitive music industry, it’s often a statement about professionalism and valuing one’s work and time. It means he’s focused on his career, his business, and not interested in idle chat or unproductive interactions. This straightforward approach defines his terms of engagement: serious inquiries only. He also mentions having seen many low points (“lows”) in life but never accepting defeat, which further fuels his drive to focus on what matters for his progress.
Awich’s Arrival: From a Small Island to a Global Bounce
Awich makes a grand entrance in her verse, acknowledging the significance of the collaboration. She introduces herself with greetings and mentions coming from a “small island” to achieve this “big collaboration,” also respectfully acknowledging KR$NA’s efforts. She confidently states she’s the “baddest bitch in the town” (a slang term used by female artists to assert power and confidence) and that together, they are about to make the “whole city bounce” – get everyone excited and moving to their music.
She speaks about a personal transformation, about learning to “throw away ego and be free,” and attributes learning “philosophy” to her experiences in India. This shows a cultural exchange and personal growth. She highlights her unique style, mentioning being “silky like Banarasi” (famous Indian silk) while her shoes are “Japanese,” symbolizing a blend of cultures. She confidently declares her presence in New Delhi, where people recognize her. Her verse is a powerful assertion of her identity, her journey, and her readiness to make an impact alongside KR$NA.
Truth, Karma, and Heavy Shoes: A Shared Philosophy of Impact
Awich’s verse also carries deeper reflections. She describes herself as the “spiciest thing in here,” a metaphor for her unique and impactful presence. She confidently says others “cannot walk in my shit ’cause my shoes are too heavy,” meaning her style, her journey, or her persona is too substantial and unique for others to easily imitate or handle. She compares this weightiness to something she calls “Soligo” (which likely represents something significant and burdensome that others can’t just let go of or replicate), emphasizing her unique and powerful stature.
She also talks about captivating everyone around her, making them her “captives” with her talent, and confidently asks for the listener’s heart. Her verse concludes with a profound statement about the world having “too many lies and only one truth,” and that this truth can be found in “karma,” which she calls the “real proof.” This adds a philosophical layer to her confident persona, suggesting that actions and their consequences are what ultimately matter. This ties in well with KR$NA’s focus on real achievements over fake industry personas. Both artists, in their own way, emphasize making a real and lasting impact.
“Hello” serves as a powerful introduction for both artists to a wider, perhaps international, audience, establishing their confidence, their terms, and their unique artistic identities, all while delivering a hard-hitting track.