{{short description|Indian record label}}
{{Infobox record label | name = Mass Appeal India | image = frameless|class=skin-invert | parent = Mass Appeal Records | founded = 2019 | distributor = Universal Music India (previously), The Orchard (current) | genre = Hip hop | country = India | location = Mumbai }}
'''Mass Appeal India''' is an Indian record label. It is a subsidiary hip hop label of the American parent Mass Appeal Records.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mass Appeal India Is Now A Reality |url=https://www.rsjonline.com/buzz/mass-appeal-india-is-now-a-reality.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=www.rsjonline.com}}</ref> The label had partnered with The Orchard for music distribution.
== History == Mass Appeal India stated operating in August 2019 under partnership with the Universal Music India. The label first signed rapper Divine,<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Gurbaxani |first=Amit |date=2019-09-13 |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=2024-06-03 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> and released his first three solo studio albums ''Kohinoor'', ''Punya Paap'', and ''Gunehgar'', with a compilation album, ''Shutdown'', all of whom were released in partnership with Divine's own label Gully Gang Entertainment. Artists like Aavrutti and Shah Rule also released their projects under Gully Gang Entertainment in partnership with Mass Appeal India; ''Naya Zamana'' in 2020 and ''Hooked'' in 2021, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2019-08-20 |title=Nas, Mass Appeal and Universal Music Launch Hip-Hop Label in India, Sign Divine |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/nas-mass-appeal-universal-music-launch-label-india-sign-divine-1203308110/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mass Appeal India, Gully Gang to release hip-hop compilation album 'SHUTDOWN' to banish lockdown blues |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/entertainment/music/mass-appeal-india-gully-gang-to-release-hip-hop-compilation-album-shutdown-to-banish-lockdown-blues20200606183841/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=ANI News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2020-09-18 |title=Aavrutti Drop 'Stage' Video, Talk Debut Album 'Naya Zamana' |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/aavrutti-drop-stage-video-talk-debut-album-naya-zamana/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2021-05-10 |title=Shah Rule on new EP Hooked, collaborating with DIVINE, and using music as a balm to pandemic wounds-Entertainment News , Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/shah-rule-on-new-ep-hooked-collaborating-with-divine-and-using-music-as-a-balm-to-pandemic-wounds-9602931.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525180941/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/shah-rule-on-new-ep-hooked-collaborating-with-divine-and-using-music-as-a-balm-to-pandemic-wounds-9602931.html |archive-date=2021-05-25 |access-date=2026-01-17 |work=Firstpost |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>
The label signed Raja Kumari in 2020. In 2022, the label terminated their partnership with the Universal Music India and formed a new music distribution agreement with The Orchard.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-26 |title=Mass Appeal Records, co-owned by Nas, inks deal with The Orchard |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/big-move-for-sony-music-as-nass-mass-appeal-label-inks-deal-with-the-orchard/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, Mass Appeal India initiated signing Malayalam hip-hop artists through a program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lal |first=Sam |date=2020-10-11 |title=Rise of the street beat: India spits rhymes in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Odia |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2020/Oct/11/rise-of-the-street-beat-india-spits-rhymes-in-hindi-malayalam-tamil-odia-2207716.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
American musician KSHMR also released his Indian hip-hop oriented album ''KARAM'' through Mass Appeal India, in partnership with his label Dharma Worldwide, which featured guest appearances from a plethora of Indian rappers like Seedhe Maut, Yashraj, KR$NA, Raftaar, Ikka, Raja Kumari, Yungsta, Riar Saab, Munawar Faruqui, and MC STΔN.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2023 |title=KSHMR In Conversation With Rolling Stone India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/rolling-stone-video/kshmr-karam-album-video-interview-seedhe-maut-mc-stan-raja-kumari/ |access-date=December 28, 2025 |website=Rolling Stone India}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hirwani |first=Peony |date=2023-11-24 |title=KSHMR - Inspiring a Generation with Melodies and Meaning |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/cover-story-kshmr-inspiring-a-generation-with-melodies-and-meaning/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref>
In April 2025, Nas visited India again to perform at the Mass Appeal Presents: The World Reunion—A Charity Concert, hosted by Mass Appeal India, at The Nesco Center, in Mumbai. He was accompanied by various Indian-origin rappers, such as, Divine, Raftaar, Ikka, KR$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 the same year, KR$NA announced his first mixtape, ''Yours Truly'', which was released on 22 May 2025 and distributed via Mass Appeal India.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=28 April 2025 |title=KR$NA Teams Up with Nas' Mass Appeal for Highly Anticipated Project |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/krna-teams-up-with-nas-mass-appeal-for-highly-anticipated-project-1875587 |access-date=6 June 2025 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Kappal |first=Bhanuj |date=September 18, 2025 |title=GQ Hype: Kr$na on rap battles, his fandom awaam and playing the long game |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/gq-hype-krsna-on-rap-battles-his-fandom-awaam-and-playing-the-long-game |access-date=December 28, 2025 |website=GQ India}}</ref>
In January 2026, British-Punjabi folk singer Raf Saperra released his EP ''Venomz Vol.II'', featuring guest appearances from Taj Aulakh, Bobby Kang and American rappers Ghostface Killah and Benny the Butcher.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=DAILY |first=GRM |date=2026-01-16 |title=Raf-Saperra Teams Up With Benny The Butcher On New Track "Butcher's Scale" & New EP 'Venomz Vol II' |url=https://grmdaily.com/raf-saperra-benny-the-butcher-butchers-scale/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=GRM Daily |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-16 |title=Raf Saperra Releases Striking New Album ‘Venomz Vol. 2’ Ft. Ghostface Killah & Benny The Butcher Via Mass Appea |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2026/01/raf-saperra-new-album-venomz-vol-2-ft-ghostface-killah-benny-the-butcher-mass-appeal/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=HipHop-N-More |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Artists ==
* ThirumaLi * Divine<ref name=":0" /> * Jass Manak<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirwani |first=Peony |date=2024-01-12 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Jass Manak Partners With Mass Appeal India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/jass-manak-partners-with-mass-appeal-india/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref> * Dabzee<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-09-15 |title=INTERVIEW {{!}} 'Manavaalan Thug' was meant for my album: Indie artist Dabzee |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/kochi/2023/Sep/15/interview-manavaalan-thug-was-meant-for-my-album-indie-artistdabzee-2614911.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> * Vedan * AP Dhillon * KSHMR<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=American DJ KSHMR Teams Up With Pop Icons King & Zaeden On New Track 'Aawara'; Deets Inside |url=https://www.news18.com/entertainment/american-dj-kshmr-teams-up-with-pop-icons-king-deets-inside-8825409.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref> * Heems<ref>{{Cite web |last=Houghton |first=Edwin |date=2024-03-12 |title=New York's desi rap star Heems's new album re-imagines the diasporic experience as a place to be whole |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/new-yorks-desi-rap-star-heemss-new-album-re-imagines-the-diasporic-experience-as-a-place-to-be-whole |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN}}</ref> * The Ranjha<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britto |first=David |date=2024-05-21 |title=How A Viral Cypher Catapulted The Ranjha to Release His Song 'Muqabala' Via Mass Appeal |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/how-a-viral-cypher-catapulted-the-ranjha-to-release-his-song-muqabala-via-mass-appeal/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref> * JASKARAN<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2024 |title=Interview: Breakthrough Punjabi Emcee Jaskaran On His Debut Album ‘Divine Violence’ With Mass Appeal, Sidhu Moose Wala, Punjab’s Musical Heritage & Censorship |url=https://culturehaze.com/interview-breakthrough-punjabi-emcee-jaskaran-on-his-debut-album-divine-violence-with-mass-appeal-sidhu-moose-wala-punjabs-musical-heritage-censorship/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=Culture Haze}}</ref>
== Discography == === Albums, mixtapes and EPs === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Artist(s) !Title !Ref |- |2019 |DIVINE |''Kohinoor'' |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2023-10-09 |title=DIVINE Celebrates Four Years Since the Release of 'Kohinoor' Album |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/divine-kohinoor-album-release-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="5" |2020 |Ikka |''I'' |<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> |- |Various Artists |''Shutdown'' |<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-06 |title=‘Shutdown’, a hip hop album on lockdown by Mass Appeal India and Divine’s Gully Gang |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/shutdown-a-hip-hop-album-on-lockdown-by-mass-appeal-india-and-gully-gang/article31765209.ece |access-date=2026-01-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |- |Kidshot |''Bhot Kuch'' |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wangchuk |first=Rinchen Norbu |title=‘Discovering Hip Hop Helped Me Break National Records & Escape Slum Crime’ |url=https://thebetterindia.com/310433/mumbai-powai-slum-hip-hop-rap-artist-kidshot-set-national-record-escape-life-of-crime/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=thebetterindia.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |DIVINE |''Punya Paap'' |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-04 |title=How DIVINE's latest album Punya Paap took shape in post-lockdown India |url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/divine-punya-paap-album |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Red Bull |language=en}}</ref> |- |Aavrutti |''Naya Zamana'' |<ref name=":5" /> |- |2021 |Shah Rule |''Hooked'' |<ref name=":6" /> |- | rowspan="2" |2022 |Ab 17, Sez on the Beat |''TEZ FILAM'' |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2024-05-27 |title=When Dua Lipa Met SRK: Outdustry Have Cracked Artist Campaigns |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/outdustry-artist-campaigns-dua-lipa-lauv-jvke-mvmnt/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-18 |title=Indian hip hop producer of 'Gully Boy' fame picks young rapper from the dark gullies of New Delhi as the next one to watch |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indian-hip-hop-producer-of-gully-boy-fame-picks-young-rapper-from-the-dark-gullies-of-new-delhi-as-the-next-one-to-watch/articleshow/95605096.cms |access-date=2026-01-11 |work=Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- |DIVINE |''Gunehgar'' |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=DIVINE's Third Album 'Gunehgar' Featuring Global Guest Collaborators Such As Russ, Jadakiss, Armani White And Hit-Boy Out Now via Mass Appeal India! – MusiCulture |url=https://www.musiculture.in/divines-third-album-gunehgar-featuring-global-guest-collaborators-such-as-russ-jadakiss-armani-white-and-hit-boy-out-now-via-mass-appeal-india/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |2023 |Tsumyoki |''A Message From The Moon'' |<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> |- |KSHMR |''KARAM'' |<ref name=":1" /> |- |Dakait, Sez on the Beat |''Dev Nagri Aur Main'' |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-12 |title=Dakait Drops Huge Debut Album 'Dev Nagri Aur Main' F/ Raga, Yungsta, Team Evolution & More, Prod. By Sez On The Beat - Culture Haze |url=https://culturehaze.com/dakait-drops-huge-debut-album-dev-nagri-aur-main-f-raga-yungsta-more-prod-by-sez-on-the-beat/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |yungsta, Sez on the Beat |''MEEN'' |<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> |- | rowspan="5" |2024 |JASKARAN |''DIVINE VIOLENCE'' |<ref name=":2" /> |- |Raf Saperra |''5 Deadly Venomz'' |<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Folklore Of Raf Saperra's '5 Deadly Venomz' |url=https://trenchtrenchtrench.com/features/the-folklore-of-raf-saperra-5-deadly-venomz |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=trenchtrenchtrench.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |Nazz |''BATHROOM SINGER'' |<ref>{{Cite web |title=GUMNAAM |url=https://www.chartoo.in/itunes/song/1735892082-gumnaam |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Chartoo |language=en-GB}}</ref> |- |DIVINE, Karan Aujla |''STREET DREAMS'' |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Alexandra |date=2024-02-16 |title=Indian Rap Stars DIVINE and Karan Aujla Share Collaborative Album, 'Street Dreams' |url=https://audibletreats.com/divine-karan-aujla_pr2/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Audible Treats |language=en}}</ref> |- |Heems |''LAFANDAR'' |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heems Returns with New Album 'Lafandar,' Brings Das Racist Mixtapes to Vinyl {{!}} Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/heems-returns-with-new-album-lafandar-brings-das-racist-mixtapes-to-vinyl |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Heems Returns with New Album 'Lafandar,' Brings Das Racist Mixtapes to Vinyl {{!}} Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Houghton |first=Edwin |date=2024-03-12 |title=New York’s desi rap star Heems’s new album re-imagines the diasporic experience as a place to be whole |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/new-yorks-desi-rap-star-heemss-new-album-re-imagines-the-diasporic-experience-as-a-place-to-be-whole |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2025 |KR$NA |''Yours Truly'' |<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |Various Artists |''The Lehar Chandigarh Mixtape'' |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=October 9, 2025 |title=Rap Recap: Ed Sheeran Taps Karan Aujla, Seedhe Maut’s Tour, Lehar Chandigarh Mixtape and More |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/rap-recap-seedhe-maut-tour-farhan-khan-naam-sujal/ |access-date=December 28, 2025 |website=Rolling Stone India}}</ref> |- |2026 |Raf Saperra |''Venomz Vol.II'' |<ref name=":7" /> |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Indian record labels Category:Hip-hop record labels Category:Labels distributed by Universal Music Group Category:2019 establishments in Maharashtra