She described the song as a dedication to those searching for their roots and hoped that it helps people embrace their true selves.
Published Aug 09, 2024 | 2:36 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 09, 2024 | 5:57 PM
Dhee back in the spotlight with her latest single, 'I Wear My Roots Like a Medal'. (Instagram)
Singer Dhee, who was last seen crooning “Ta Takkara” for Kalki 2898 AD, with music by Santhosh Narayanan, has expanded her discography with a new single titled “I Wear My Roots Like a Medal”.
Recognised for hits like “Ey Sandakaara” (Irudhi Suttru; 2016) and “Rowdy Baby” (Maari 2; 2019), Dhee continues to add to her musical repertoire.
In a previous Instagram post, Dhee described the song “I Wear My Roots Like a Medal” as a dedication to those searching for their roots and hoped that it helps people embrace their true selves.
Actor Dhanush launched the song on social media. It features Dhee in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, as she reflects on her heritage and sings about generational trauma and emotional burdens.
“I Wear My Roots Like a Medal” is her second single following “Enjoy Enjaami”. Featuring Arivu and blending pop, hip hop, R&B, and oppari elements, it showcases Santhosh Narayanan’s music.
Composed, written, and performed by Dhee, the song is produced by her along with her father Santhosh Narayanan and Aditya Ravindran.
Santhosh Narayanan also handled the mixing. Amith Krishnan, who directed and edited the 2021 viral hit “Enjoy Enjaami”, directed and edited this song.
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Released last year by the independent music label Maajja, “Enjoy Enjaami” aimed to unite people through music and honour the ancestors who advanced life.
The song is also a personal tribute from singer-songwriter Arivu to his grandmother Valliyamma, a descendant of labourers forcibly brought to Sri Lanka to work on tea plantations.
The song remains one of the top Indie Tamil releases ever, but it is also embroiled in a controversy involving singer-songwriter Arivu, music producer Santhosh Narayanan, and singer Dhee.
Following its release, the focus on Dhee in the visuals was criticised for overshadowing Arivu. The controversy intensified when Arivu was excluded from the cover of DJ Snake’s remix and the August 2021 issue of Rolling Stone India.
The Rolling Stone India cover, featuring Dhee and Shan Vincent de Paul, faced backlash, including support for Arivu from Tamil film director Pa Ranjith. The magazine subsequently released a revised digital cover including Arivu.
A major controversy erupted over the credits for the hit song “Enjoy Enjaami”, with rapper Arivu claiming on social media that he composed, written, sung, and performed the track entirely on his own, without any input or guidance. The credits, however, listed Santhosh Narayanan for the music.
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In response, Santhosh Narayanan and Dhee issued a detailed two-page statement outlining their claims.
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(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
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