{{Short description|Music genre and scene}} {{Infobox music genre | name = Indian hip hop | stylistic_origins = {{flatlist | * Hip hop * R&B * soul }} | cultural_origins = Mid–1980s | derivatives = Urban | subgenres = {{flatlist | * Urban *trance *R&B *EDM }} | subgenrelist = }} '''Indian hip hop''' is a genre of popular music developed in India. Desi hip-hop is a term given by Bohemia for music and culture which combines the influences of hip-hop and the Indian subcontinent; the term desi referring to the South Asian diaspora. The term has also come to be used as an alternative for rap music and even pop music which involves rappers of South Asian origins. It is widely known today as desi hip-hop or DHH.
== Overview ==
=== 1980s to early 2000s: Early beginnings === Indian hip hop emerged in the mid-1980s, driven by American breakdancing films such as ''Wild Style'' (1982) and ''Beat Street'' (1984), gaining popularity in urban youth culture in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata.{{Sfn|Goldsmith|Fonseca|2018|page=339}} By the late 1980s, Kolkata became a centre for hip hop dance workshops, while Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai prioritised rap, leading to emergence of distinct regional hip hop scenes in local languages by the late 1990s.{{sfn|Goldsmith|Fonseca|2018|page=339}}
Apache Indian, a UK artist of Indian origin, was the earliest to make an impact on the UK charts with a series of hits during the 90s.<ref name="Larkin">Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', Virgin Books, {{ISBN|0-7535-0242-9}}, p.13</ref> This also paralleled the rise of Asian Underground in the UK.<ref name="Sarkar 135485652311745">{{Cite journal |last=Sarkar |first=Debarun |date=2023-05-19 |title='Azadi's political until you're pressing play': Capitalist realism, hip-hop, and platform affordances |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/13548565231174598 |journal=Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies |volume=29 |issue=6 |language=en |pages=1437–1452 |doi=10.1177/13548565231174598 |s2cid=258818888 |issn=1354-8565|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The inflow of hip hop into India is also attributed to certain clubs and DJs in New Delhi in the 90s.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dattatreyan |first=Ethiraj Gabriel |title=The globally familiar: digital hip hop, masculinity, and urban space in Delhi |date=2020 |publisher=Duke University press |isbn=978-1-4780-1272-6 |location=Durham}}</ref>
Baba Sehgal introduced a caricaturist version of Hindi rap in the 1990s with his albums.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mukherjee |first=Sujay |date=December 19, 2024 |title=RAP Music Culture in India |url=https://smthing.in/rap-music-song-culture-in-india/ |access-date= |website=Smthing.in, Powered by Tune Tron Music}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cardozo |first=Elliott |date=2021 |title=Hip hop goes to b-town: bollywood's assimilation of the underground aesthetic |journal=SRFTI Take One |volume=2 |issue=1 |pages=26–43}}</ref> In 1992, his album ''Thanda Thanda Pani'' sold 100,000 copies in three and a half months and brought rap music to the Indian club scene, his cadence and flow particularly drawing inspiration from rapper Vanilla Ice.<ref name="baba">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/23/arts/the-many-accents-of-rap-around-the-world-india-vanilla-ice-in-hindi.html|title=The Many Accents Of Rap Around The World; India: Vanilla Ice In Hindi|last1=Gargan|first1=Edward|date=August 23, 1992|access-date=14 September 2015|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
Hip hop in India developed slowly in the early 2000s, as earlier efforts by artists such as Baba Sehgal and Apache Indian failed to create substantial buzz, due to their styles being more rap–oriented than representative of the larger hip-hop scene. It was initially confined to urban areas with niche and expatriate audiences,<ref name="rapscene">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/opinion/palash-krishna-mehrotra/story/indian-rap-scene-a-revolt-that-will-not-get-televised-113090-2012-08-11|title=Indian rap scene: A revolt that will not get televised|last1=Mehrotra|first1=Palash|date=12 August 2012|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=India Today}}</ref> but it gained prominence through MTV and the increasing worldwide impact of American rappers like Eminem, 50 Cent, and Jay-Z. The release and popularity of Bohemia's second album ''Pesa Nasha Pyar'' in 2006, which also featured veteran American rapper Snoop Dogg, is considered as a turning point for Desi hip-hop, accompanying the growing role of NRIs and cultural intermediaries bringing fundamental hip hop elements like DJing, graffiti, and breakdancing into Indian masses.<ref name="scene">{{cite news|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/artbeat/inside-mumbais-burgeoning-hip-hop-scene|title=Inside Mumbai's Burgeoning Hip-Hop Scene|last1=Kappal|first1=Bhanuj|date=12 October 2013|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=The Sunday Guardian|archive-date=23 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923004530/http://www.sunday-guardian.com/artbeat/inside-mumbais-burgeoning-hip-hop-scene|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfn|Williams|Singh|2023|p=132}} Around the same time, rapper Young Prozpekt (now KR$NA), started gaining traction with his conscious hip-hop songs, "Kaisa Mera Desh" and the "Lokpal Freestyle" on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rathnam |first=Shilpa |date=September 12, 2011 |title=Mumbai-based rapper Krishna Kaul's songs touch issues like corruption, child labour, poverty |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/glossary/story/20110912-krishna-kaul-songs-anna-hazare-lokpal-747514-2011-09-02 |access-date=June 26, 2025 |website=India Today}}</ref>
=== Late 2000s to early 2010s: Commercial expansion, and expansion into the Indian film industry === Meanwhile, Yo Yo Honey Singh transformed, popularized hip-hop and rap into the mainstream Indian audience, beginning with the release of the track "Glassy" in 2006 with Ashok Masti which featured Singh rapping in English and the music being produced by himself as well. The track was the first time Singh was featured as a main artist and a rapper, as he was primarily a music producer before with tracks such as "Jhanjhar Kehndi" from his debut underground music album, ''Desi By Nature'', showcasing a blend of Punjabi language with hip-hop coupled with music composed by Singh. Singh is one of the most well known and renowned artist in India due to his popularity amongst the Millennial youth, as his songs, according to them, had a unique ambience. The release of Singh's debut studio album ''International Villager'' in 2011, eight years after his debut underground album ''Desi By Nature'' in 2003, helped the genre skyrocket to the mainstream.<ref name="bbc.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czdn0zq7n0zo | title=Yo Yo Honey Singh: India's rap rebel makes a comeback after battling addiction | date=9 March 2025 }}</ref> Singh's crew, Mafia Mundeer, was, according to him, a platform to establish new artists in the industry. Singh's initial thought regarding the platform was to incorporate different artists who would come together to sing, perform, record and release their tracks with nobody being legally bounded. The platform has since become notable as the roster included Raftaar, Ikka and allegedly Badshah. After their departure, artists like Alfaaz and Ninja from Punjab were included in the group.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=chillmeindia |date=22 June 2023 |title=Mafia Mundeer Members: The Pioneers of Indian Music |url=https://blog.chillme.in/mafia-mundeer-members/ |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=Chillme Blog |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2 September 2024 |title=What Is 'Mafia Mundeer'? Yo Yo Honey Singh-Led Hip-Hop Platform That Revolutionised Music |url=https://news.abplive.com/entertainment/was-badshah-ever-a-member-of-mafia-mundeer-all-about-hip-hop-platform-created-by-yo-yo-honey-singh-1714517#:~:text=Origin%20Of%20'Mundeer'&text=He%20was%20a%20very%20famous,me%20the%20name%20'Mundeer%20Mafia |access-date=25 May 2025 |website=news.abplive.com |language=en}}</ref>
There's been an ongoing debate among the hip-hop community about the contribution of Yo Yo Honey Singh to the genre. Singh was one of the most renowned rap artists in India and thus, was largely credited for introducing rap and hip-hop to the relatively ingenuous mainstream audience in India. Singh's appearances on tracks and his mark on the music scene with the release of his chartbuster debut album ''International Villager'' in 2011, further popularized the genre of hip-hop and rap in India into the mainstream, even though he has been frequently accused of using ghostwriters, and not giving due credit.<ref name="bbc.com" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kundu |first=Tanya |date=July 24, 2025 |title=Yo Yo Honey Singh & Badshah Are Still Beefing As The Latter Taunts Him Over Song Credits |url=https://www.idiva.com/entertainment/music/honey-singh-and-badshah-beef-over-song-credits/18092915 |access-date=September 12, 2025 |website=iDiva}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2024 |title=“Honey Singh made me feel very small”, says Raftaar. Exclusive |url=https://mirchi.in/stories/music/raftaar-speaks-about-yo-yo-honey-singh-on-mirchi-plus/151045871 |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=Gaana}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2025 |title=Did Yo Yo Honey Singh Really Wrong Lil Golu? A Full Breakdown Of Royalty & Credit Controversy Of 2025 |url=https://musicalsatans.com/honey-singh-wrong-lil-golu-royalty-credit-issue/ |access-date=September 12, 2025 |website=Musical Satans}}</ref>
While some artists including Badshah,<ref name="badshah">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Raaj |date=14 February 2015 |title=Badshah Interview @104.8 Oye FM By Raaj Jones |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faRVfWesoHk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/faRVfWesoHk |archive-date=2021-12-12 |access-date=14 September 2015 |website=Youtube |publisher=Oye 104.8 FM}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Ikka,<ref name="Ikka">{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Raaj |date=20 April 2015 |title=Ikka Singh Rare Interview (Talking About His Music & Yo Yo Honey Singh @104.8 Oye FM By Raaj Jones |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmmWJVO6_OU |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/xmmWJVO6_OU |archive-date=2021-12-12 |access-date=14 September 2015 |website=Youtube |publisher=Oye 104.8 FM}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Manj Musik and Bohemia<ref name="toirest">{{cite news |last1=Batra |first1=Ruhi |date=15 March 2015 |title=Honey Singh versus the bitter rest |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/Honey-Singh-versus-the-bitter-rest/articleshow/46570199.cms |access-date=14 September 2015 |work=The Times of India}}</ref> have acknowledged his contribution to the industry, others such as Raftaar who has had a long-standing beef with Singh,<ref name="toirest" /> has alternatively denied and acknowledged it at times. There is also a negative sentiment among some followers of hip-hop culture in India regarding the recent commercialization of the genre, which is attributed to the influence of Singh's music.<ref name="rolling">{{cite news |last1=Omulo |first1=Bob |date=19 September 2014 |title=How India is Taking to Hip Hop |url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/india-taking-hip-hop/ |access-date=14 September 2015 |work=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=29 July 2015 |title=Rap is rebel music worldwide, here it's 'pop rap': Badshah |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/music/rap-is-rebel-music-worldwide-here-it-s-pop-rap-badshah/article1-1374358.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730230603/http://www.hindustantimes.com/music/rap-is-rebel-music-worldwide-here-it-s-pop-rap-badshah/article1-1374358.aspx |archive-date=July 30, 2015 |access-date=14 September 2015 |publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref>
One of the early moments of Indian hip-hop was the Bengali-language underground film ''Gandu'' which narrated a story of a rapper's journey, accompanied by an innovative soundtrack, which became known for mixing rap with alternative rock.<ref name="Sarkar 135485652311745" /> Besides Bollywood and commercial rap music, such as Abhishek Bachchan's verse on the song "Right Here, Right Now" and rapper Snoop Dogg's appearance on the song "Singh Is Kinng", the underground hip-hop scene started shaping.
=== Mid 2010s-present:Underground Rap scenes,''Gully Boy'' and mass appeal === Although Indian hip hop remained a niche genre for several decades, it began a period of massive expansion across the country starting around 2010. This surge in popularity was largely driven by the emergence of commercial artists such as Yo Yo Honey Singh, Badshah, and Raftaar who became dominant figures in the music industry. By the 2013–2014 period, Yo Yo Honey Singh reached the pinnacle of Indian pop culture and the Bollywood film industry, with his music becoming ubiquitous in nightclubs and social gatherings nationwide. Following this era, Badshah achieved similar levels of mainstream success by 2016, with the Indian public widely embracing his creative rapping style and further cementing hip hop's place in the cultural mainstream.
Also,Many emerging rappers and their crews started to create a buzz in the underground hip-hop scene. Artists such as Roll Rida, Noel Sean and groups such as Machas With Attitude, Hiphop Tamizha and Street Academics pioneered respective vernacular rap music scenes. The rap-battle and cypher scene started developing with rappers creating a blueprint for the culture, which was further shaped by Seedhe Maut, Prabh Deep and others operating in the Delhi circuit with communities like SpitDope and 6FU,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Satrawal |first=Prachi |date=December 7, 2024 |title=In the Hood |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2024/Dec/07/in-the-hood |access-date=September 5, 2025 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-09-02 |title=City rappers take vernacular route to underground central |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/gurgaon/city-rappers-take-vernacular-route-to-underground-central/story-2RHu4oyIMx84YHfcTSPsFO.html |access-date=2019-03-24 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> and rappers like Divine in the Mumbai cypher scene.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 1, 2024 |title=How Cypher Shaped Indian Hip-Hop Culture |url=https://www.therevolverclub.com/blogs/the-revolver-club/how-cypher-shaped-indian-hip-hop-culture?srsltid=AfmBOopz47gEGGcVrB-W_fi6EP8CB7ejbk6vFTi8am_JHN0IxG-cACkm |access-date=September 11, 2025 |website=The Revolver Club}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Can Indian hip-hop take over the world? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1XmwgT9wFx8QTfnWpttjFxf/can-indian-hip-hop-take-over-the-world |website=BBC}}</ref>
Indian hip-hop further became increasingly popular in India's biggest cities with big names like Prabh Deep and Seedhe Maut who have been picked up by talent management agencies like Kalamkaar<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/hip-hop-on-the-central-line/article7983134.ece|title=Hip Hop on the Central Line|last=Chakrabarti|first=Samrat|date=2015-12-13|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> and Azadi Records who now have music videos with millions of views on YouTube, along with a cult-like fanbase that they have cultivated through their music.<ref>{{Cite web|title=सृजनाची फॅक्टरी : 'द हिप हॉप मूव्हमेंट' एक आगळीवेगळी चळवळ|url=https://www.loksatta.com/thane/the-hip-hop-movement-in-thane-korum-mall-1221284/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Loksatta|language=mr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=ठाण्यात हिपहॉप हुर्रे!|url=https://maharashtratimes.com/lifestyle-news/college-club/thhm-thane-hip-hop-cypher-vol-2/articleshow/26365293.cms|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Maharashtra Times|language=mr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=rafdhh|date=2013-12-03|title=Thane Hip Hop Comes To Life!|url=http://www.desihiphop.com/thane-hip-hop-comes-life/362126|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Desi Hip Hop|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|author=Sharmila Ganesan Ram|date=Dec 22, 2014|title=City gets jiggy as 2-day hip-hop festival vows residents {{!}} Thane News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thane/city-gets-jiggy-as-2-day-hip-hop-festival-vows-residents/articleshow/45596732.cms|access-date=2022-02-15|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>
Indian film director Zoya Akhtar was fascinated after listening to rapper Naezy's "Aafat!''"'' and "Mere Gully Mein" with Divine''.'' She wanted to portray the stories of both these young rappers and consequently approached Divine and Naezy and pitched the idea of making a Bollywood movie based on their lives, and the film, ''Gully Boy'', starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt in titular roles, was released in 2019. The soundtrack for the film featured contributions from various hip-hop artists such as Divine, Naezy, Rishi Rich and others.<ref name="scroll.in">{{Cite web |last=Ghosh |first=Devarsi |date=27 January 2019 |title='Gully Boy' music: Four years, 18 songs, 54 collaborators, and an 'absolutely nuts' Ranveer Singh |url=https://scroll.in/reel/908804/gully-boy-music-four-years-18-songs-54-collaborators-and-an-absolutely-nuts-ranveer-singh |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422131227/https://scroll.in/reel/908804/gully-boy-music-four-years-18-songs-54-collaborators-and-an-absolutely-nuts-ranveer-singh |archive-date=22 April 2020 |access-date=10 December 2019 |website=Scroll.in}}</ref> On 20 August 2019, American rapper Nas, who served as the executive producer for the film, in partnership with Mass Appeal Records and Universal Music India launched Mass Appeal India and signed Divine as the first artist on the label. Universal Music Group and Mass Appeal jointly took the step to take him to India and globalize the Indian hip-hop scene.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Gurbaxani |first1=Amit |date=13 September 2019 |title=Hindi Rapper Divine On Why He Signed With Mass Appeal India: 'It's Nas, Bro' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/hindi-rapper-divine-signed-mass-appeal-india-nas/ |access-date=18 June 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Divine is taking Indian Hip-Hop Scene Global with Mass Appeal India |url=https://www.lyricsmint.com/articles/divine-mass-appeal-india |access-date=28 May 2020 |website=LyricsMINT |language=en-GB}}</ref> Since then, Indian artists like Ikka, Tsumyoki and Kshmr have released their projects in collaboration with the label, attracting a larger audience and revenue in the hip-hop scene.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirwani |first=Peony |date=2023-11-24 |title=KSHMR - Inspiring a Generation with Melodies and Meaning |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/cover-story-kshmr-inspiring-a-generation-with-melodies-and-meaning/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tripathi |first=Shirish |date=2023-06-28 |title=Tsumyoki Curates an Emotional and Heartfelt Album "A Message From The Moon" {{!}} |url=https://theindianmusicdiaries.com/tsumyoki-curates-an-emotional-and-heartfelt-album-a-message-from-the-moon/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The Indian Music Diaries |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Plus |first=Music |date=2023-05-11 |title=Yungsta and Sez on the Beat to release their debut album MEEN |url=https://www.musicplus.in/the-mvmnt-and-nas-mass-appeal-india-release-yungsta-sez-on-the-beats-debut-album-meen/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Musicplus |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-10-16 |title=Mass Appeal India signs rapper IKKA; to launch 'Level Up' on October 26 |url=https://mediabrief.com/mass-appeal-india-signs-rapper-ikka/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=MediaBrief |language=en-US}}</ref>
Due to the exposure through Bollywood, rap became a household term and an increased production of rap music was observed. This is notable especially in the Punjabi music industry being largely credited to Punjabi artists such as Sidhu Moose Wala, Shubh, Karan Aujla and Yo Yo Honey Singh, while the former three have been fairly recent to the industry.<ref name="toipindustry">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/punjabi/music/From-Bambi-Bains-to-Aman-Sandhu-Punjabi-musicians-talkabout-their-journey/articleshow/47802180.cms|title=From Bambi Bains to Aman Sandhu: Punjabi musicians talk about their journey|date=24 June 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|work=The Times of India}}</ref>
However, this commercialization has also led to expansion of the underground scene, with independent artists building a name in Indian hip hop, due to which the future of hip-hop in India has been generally perceived to be positive.<ref name="rolling" /><ref name="tribune1">{{cite web|title=Bohemia: More than just forties and shorties|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/327622/more-than-just-forties-and-shorties/|last=Mahmood|first=Rafay|work=The Express Tribune|date=26 January 2012 |publisher=Tribune.com.pk|access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> The reality TV show ''MTV Hustle'', which aired its first season in 2019, has also been credited for pushing the genre forward and providing a platform to aspiring rappers, like King amongst others.<ref>{{Cite news |title=MTV's Hustle aims to foster aspiring Indian rappers |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/mtvs-hustle-aims-to-foster-aspiring-indian-rappers/article28856487.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190915091014/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/mtvs-hustle-aims-to-foster-aspiring-indian-rappers/article28856487.ece |archive-date=15 September 2019 |access-date=12 August 2019 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN}}</ref> There are many rappers in India, rapping in different languages such as Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Odia, Bhojpuri, Khasi and others. Modern-day Indian rappers like MC Stan, Yashraj, Paal Dabba and Hanumankind have been gaining considerable traction due to their distinct approach towards the genre which is pushing the boundaries of Indian hip-hop.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kappal |first=Bhanuj |date=June 25, 2025 |title=The Next Big Indian Rappers You Should Know |url=https://www.esquireindia.co.in/culture/books-and-music/other-indian-rappers-like-hanumankind-you-should-know |access-date=September 12, 2025 |website=Esquire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Indian Hip-Hop Releases That Have Defined 2024 |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/best-indian-hip-hop-rap-songs-2024-hanumankind-badshah-king/ |access-date=September 12, 2025 |website=Rolling Stone India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raj |first=Tanu |date=November 8, 2024 |title=6 Indian Hip-Hop Artists To Know: Hanumankind, Pho, Chaar Diwaari & More |url=https://www.grammy.com/news/indian-hip-hop-artists-hanumankind-big-dawgs-rappers-to-know |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=Grammy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Harshita |date=March 28, 2024 |title=6 Indian Underground Rap Artists That Are Changing The Music Landscape |url=https://www.scoopwhoop.com/entertainment/6-indian-underground-rap-artists-that-are-changing-the-music-landscape/ |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=ScoopWhoop}}</ref>
In April 2025, Nas visited India again to perform at the Mass Appeal Presents: The World Reunion—A Charity Concert, hosted by Mass Appeal India, at The Nesco Center, in Mumbai. He was accompanied by various Indian-origin rappers, such as Divine, Raftaar, Ikka, KR$NA, King, and Steel Banglez.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aurelius |first=Marcus |date=April 22, 2025 |title=Nas spends Easter weekend in India |url=https://liftedasia.com/article/nas-india |access-date=April 28, 2025 |website=LIFTED Asia}}</ref>
In November 2025, Rolling Loud Festival was held in Mumbai, with Indian artists like Karan Aujla, Divine headlining the festival alongside Western rappers Central Cee, Don Toliver, and Wiz Khalifa.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pande |first=Kartikeya |date=December 2, 2025 |title=Rolling Loud India Wasn't Just a Festival. It Was a Statement |url=https://consequence.net/2025/12/rolling-loud-india-2025-review/ |access-date=December 5, 2025 |website=Consequence}}</ref>
Telugu hip hop became notable since the early 2000s when artists such as Smita started hip hop culture in the Telugu language. ''Hai Rabba'' and ''Masaka Masaka,'' her best selling albums, received acclaim, especially in the Indian sub-continent.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Singer Smita turns nostalgic; remembers her first song with MM Keeravani - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/singer-smita-turns-nostalgic-remembers-her-first-song-with-mm-keeravani/articleshow/69610452.cms|access-date=2021-01-01|website=The Times of India|date=June 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Artists such as Raja Kumari,<ref>{{Cite news|title='My brand of hip hop is a bridge between a traditional Telugu home and the American culture' - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/hyderabad/my-brand-of-hip-hop-is-a-bridge-between-a-traditional-telugu-home-and-the-american-culture/articleshow/70537728.cms|access-date=2021-01-01|website=The Times of India|date=6 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> Roll Rida, Noel Sean and Manisha Eerabathini started the trend in the new-age Telugu hip hop by including rap.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asura's Telugu rap album hits the right notes|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2020/aug/29/asuras-telugu-rap-album-hits-the-right-notes-2189631.html|access-date=2021-01-01|website=The New Indian Express|date=29 August 2020 }}</ref> With the rise of its popularity, these artists started working in Telugu cinema since the late 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=mojumder|first=oishani|date=2019-02-27|title=The rise of Telugu rap|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/270219/the-rise-of-telugu-rap.html|access-date=2021-01-01|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pasha|first=Gouse|title=11 Rap Songs In Telugu That You Must Listen To Right Now!|url=https://chaibisket.com/best-telugu-rap-songs/|access-date=2021-01-01|website=Chai Bisket|date=23 July 2016 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Tamil hip hop is gaining popularity in India. Many other languages like Kannada and Marathi are also becoming popular among the masses in India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=It's a rap! New single goes viral on day one|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2019/nov/28/its-a-rap-new-single-goes-viral-on-day-one-2068072.html|access-date=2020-05-04|website=The New Indian Express|date=28 November 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Tagat|first=Anurag|date=2019-06-07|title=Can't stop, won't stop: the rise of Tamil rap|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/the-rise-of-tamil-rap/article27611045.ece|access-date=2020-05-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=S |first=Gowri |date=2024-05-15 |title=How Tamil women rappers are changing the indie hip hop scene |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/how-tamil-women-rappers-are-changing-the-indie-hip-hop-scene/article68174317.ece |access-date=2025-01-30 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Marathi rapper Yung DSA's song "Yeda Yung" went viral in mid-2025.
<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=May 14, 2025 |title=Yung Dsa Quit His Job After ‘Yeda Yung’ Blew Up. Now He Wants to Build an Empire |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/yung-dsa-interview-maaf-kar-yeda-yung/ |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=Rolling Stone India}}</ref>The Indian hip hop and rap industry has undergone significant growth and transformation over the years. Several artists from earlier generations have regained top mainstream popularity, with Yo Yo Honey Singh<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-09 |title=Yo Yo Honey Singh: India's rap rebel makes a comeback after battling addiction |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czdn0zq7n0zo |access-date=2026-05-07 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> being a notable example. At the same time, newer-generation artists such as Divine, Kr$na, and Emiway Bantai have contributed to the expansion and mainstream recognition of the genre. Today, hip hop and rap are considered important and rapidly growing segments of the Indian music industry.
== Protest hip hop == YoungProzpekt (now KR$NA) released "Kaisa Mera Desh" in 2010. The track was an anti-corruption anthem against the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and the statement of Indian development in particular.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-10-06|title='Yeh Kaisa Mera Desh: - Young Prozpekt's Rant against the Commonwealth Games|url=https://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/must-watch/3151-yeh-kaisa-mera-desh-young-prozpekts-rant-against-the-commonwealth-games.html|access-date=2021-03-02|website=www.mensxp.com|language=en-IN}}</ref> It earned a number 2 ranking as one of the most watched music videos in India overnight following its release.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|last4=|first4=|title=Hip hop hustle|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20130819-hip-hop-hustle-765104-2013-08-06|access-date=2021-03-02|website=India Today|date=6 August 2013|language=en}}</ref>
Protest hip hop came into limelight again after mass protest started all over India against the Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019. Since the crackdown in JMI, AMU and JNU, and the 2020 Delhi riots several rappers from all over the country have joined the cause with their own sonic protest. Rappers such as Rapper Shaz gained recognition for their protest songs alongside Santhanam Srinivasan Iyer (known as EPR Iyer).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beg |first=Hira |date=2019-10-23 |title=Rapper EPR's Song About Farmer Suicides Is Powerful Beyond Belief |url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/rapper-epr-farmer-suicide-hip-hop-india |access-date=2020-06-04 |website=The Quint |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Kundu |first1=Satvika |last2=Khan |first2=Amaan |date=10 January 2020 |title=Voice Of The People: Protest Music In India |url=http://www.thewildcity.com/features/15939-voice-of-the-people-protest-music-in-india |access-date=2020-05-03 |website=www.thewildcity.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Majumdar|first=Meghna|date=2019-12-23|title=How art on social media became the face of anti-CAA protests|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/how-art-on-social-media-became-the-face-of-anti-caa-protests/article30379272.ece|access-date=2020-05-03|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Seedhe Maut also released the politically conscious anthem, "Scalp Dem" with Delhi Sultanate in 2019, which was well-received for its outspoken commentary on Islamophobia, casteism, hate crime, and mob lynchings, but also received backlash, which resulted in the deletion of the song from streaming services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=K |first=Jaishree |date=December 29, 2019 |title=Delhi Sultanate And Seedhe Maut's 'Scalp Dem' Is The New Dissent Anthem |url=https://theindianmusicdiaries.com/delhi-sultanate-and-seedhe-mauts-scalp-dem-is-the-new-dissent-anthem/ |access-date=November 2, 2025 |website=The Indian Music Diaries}}</ref>
== Diss hip-hop == Disses became particularly popular and played a significant role in shaping Indian hip-hop post-2018.<ref name="Sarkar 135485652311745"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhargava |first=Eshita |date=2022-01-15 |title=Tracing the rise of India's hip-hop scene: Baba Sehgal, Bohemia to Raftaar, Divine, Raja Kumari, Karma, Shah Rule, D'Evil |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/tracing-the-rise-of-indias-hip-hop-scene-baba-sehgal-bohemia-to-raftaar-divine-karma-shah-rules-devil-10283401.html |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> The first well-publicized beef in Indian hip-hop occurred between rappers Emiway Bantai and Raftaar, the latter of whom appeared on a podcast where he questioned whether Emiway was earning money from hip-hop. Emiway responded with the song "Samajh Mein Aaya Kya", targeting Raftaar and refuting his claims that Emiway was not earning much yet. Raftaar responded with "Sheikh Chilli", then Emiway responded with "Giraftaar", and finally Raftaar to respond with "Anime Hentai", which was later titled "Awein Hai" due to YouTube shadow banning the song.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saraiya |first=Naman |date=November 6, 2018 |title=Is India's Big-Ass Rap Beef Over or What? |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/is-indias-big-ass-rap-beef-over-or-what/ |access-date=September 9, 2025 |website=Vice}}</ref> This paved the way for a wave of commercialization in the genre, as many Indian rappers claimed to have benefitted from the publicity from a credit standpoint. It also gave rise to many other publicized beefs taking place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anil |first=Nikhil |date=August 2, 2025 |title=From gully chants to global collabs: The rise of Indian hip-hop |url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2025/08/02/from-gully-chants-to-global-collabs-the-rise-of-indian-hip-hop.html |access-date=September 9, 2025 |website=The Week}}</ref>
In 2019, KRSNA released "Freeverse Feast (Langar)", produced by Raftaar, allegedly in response to rapper Emiway Bantai's "Freeverse Feast (Daawat)",<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Debarati |date=November 8, 2019 |title=Mumbai's Emiway Bantai scores big at Europe Music Awards |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/mumbais-emiway-bantai-scores-big-at-europe-music-awards/articleshow/71953573.cms |access-date=December 6, 2025 |website=Times Of India}}</ref> where the latter boastfully claimed that "he's the only rapper representing India worldwide". This was the first track which sparked a feud between the two rappers, even though both had collaborated back in 2017. After the release of some tracks containing subliminal disses on each other, such as Emiway's "Seedha Takeover" and KRSNA's "Dum Hai", the beef escalated in 2022, when Emiway released "Chusamba", in response to which KRSNA released "Lil Bunty". Emiway again responded with "KR L$DA SIGN", and KRSNA released "Machayenge 4", referring to Emiway's popular song series. Emiway retorted with his own version of "MACHAYENGE 4", and was met with backlash, which prompted him to delete the track for a while after its original release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=Debarati |date=November 8, 2019 |title=Mumbai's Emiway Bantai scores big at Europe Music Awards |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/music/news/mumbais-emiway-bantai-scores-big-at-europe-music-awards/articleshow/71953573.cms |access-date=December 6, 2025 |website=Times Of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiu |first=Fengyen |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Why Is #ShameOnEmiwayBantai Trending On Twitter? Rapper's New Track 'Machayenge 4' Recieves [sic] Flak |url=https://in.mashable.com/entertainment/34767/why-is-shameonemiwaybantai-trending-on-twitter-rappers-new-track-machayenge-4-recieves-flak |access-date=December 6, 2025 |website=Mashable India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 15, 2022 |title=Emiway Bantai Deletes 'Machayenge 4' Disstrack For Kr$na. Read To Know The Reason |url=https://kiddaan.com/emiway-bantai-removed-machayenge-4/ |access-date=December 6, 2025 |website=Kiddaan}}</ref>
== Controversies == While the underground hip-hop scene in India was propelled forward through rap cyphers, it has frequently been criticized and has received backlash from the general public.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bijolia |first=Disha |date=April 12, 2023 |title=What Does The Growing Popularity Of Indian Cyphers Mean For Homegrown Hip-Hop? |url=https://homegrown.co.in/homegrown-creators/what-does-the-growing-popularity-of-indian-cyphers-mean-for-homegrown-hip-hop |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=Homegrown}}</ref> Delhi rap pioneer MC Kode, spoke about the obstacles he faced, while organizing SpitDope in 2019 with NPR Music, where he talked about how a rap battle with a politician's son led to him receiving threats and facing harassment due to him questioning the politician's involvement in the 1980 attacks in Bengal.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Balram |first=Dhruva |date=March 29, 2019 |title=As 'Gully Boy' Inches Indian Hip-Hop Into The Mainstream, Its Underground Soldiers On |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/03/29/707662752/as-gully-boy-inches-indian-hip-hop-into-the-mainstream-its-underground-soldiers |access-date=January 5, 2026 |website=NPR Music}}</ref>
In May 2021, Kode received death threats and faced harassment through internet doxxing when old videos of him resurfaced through an Instagram meme page, where he was seen saying extremely unsavoury things about the ''Mahabharata'', ''Bhagavad Gita'' and the Indian Army; the former from a battle rap round from June 2016, and the latter from an Instagram Live session. Internet users started a trend to call for his arrest and offered money to even beat him up in broad daylight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 30, 2021 |title=Battle Rap in Digital India: The Artists vs. The Arbiters |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/battle-rap-mc-kode-right-wing-doxxed/ |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=Rolling Stone India}}</ref> On June 2, he apologized on his Instagram story, but further went missing for a week, and his story was interpreted as a suicide note, which alarmed his friends and users to call for his search.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pundir |first=Pallavi |date=June 4, 2021 |title=Right-Wing Trolls Tried to Cancel This Rapper. Now MC Kode Is Missing in India. |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/right-wing-troll-india-rapper-mental-health/ |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=VICE}}</ref> He was eventually found in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sabarwal |first=Harshit |date=June 10, 2021 |title=Rapper MC Kode traced: What led to the week-long search |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rapper-mc-kode-traced-what-led-to-the-week-long-search-101623288573654.html |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Haider |first=Tanseem |date=June 10, 2021 |title=Rapper MC Kode, who went missing on June 2, traced by Delhi Police to Jabalpur |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/rapper-mc-kode-traced-delhi-police-jabalpur-1813002-2021-06-10 |access-date=January 3, 2026 |website=India Today}}</ref>
== See also == * Gully rap * Indian rappers
==References== {{reflist}}
===Bibliography=== * {{citation | last1=Goldsmith | first1=Melissa Ursula Dawn | last2=Fonseca | first2=Anthony J. | title=Hip Hop Around the World: An Encyclopedia | year=2018 | publisher=ABC-CLIO | location=Santa Barbara, CA | isbn=978-0313357596 | volume=1&2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LRnOEAAAQBAJ}} * {{cite book | last1=Williams | first1=Quentin | last2=Singh | first2=Jaspal Naveel | title=Global Hiphopography | publisher=Springer Nature | date=27 July 2023 | isbn=978-3-031-21955-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iqfNEAAAQBAJ}}
==External links== * {{cite news |last1= Kumar |first1= Hemang|last2= George|first2= Arun|date= 14 February 2019|title= A History of Rap in Bollywood : From Baba Sehgal to Gully Boy|url= https://data.indianexpress.com/bollywood-rap-history-baba-sehgal-gully-boy/|work= The Indian Express|location= |publisher= |access-date= 30 January 2025}} * {{cite news |last1= Bhargava |first1= Eshita |date= 3 February 2022 |title= Tracing the rise of India's hip-hop scene: Baba Sehgal, Bohemia to Raftaar, Divine, Karma, Shah Rule, Devil |url= https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/tracing-the-rise-of-indias-hip-hop-scene-baba-sehgal-bohemia-to-raftaar-divine-karma-shah-rules-devil-10283401.html |work= Firstpost |access-date= 30 January 2025}} {{Hip hop}}
Category:Indian hip-hop Category:Music of India Category:Desi hip-hop