Top 10 Indian Hip Hop Artists
Hip Hop is a music genre introduced in the 1970s by the African-American residents of the USA. Hip Hop, also referred to as rap music gained popularity due to its unique style of creating music. The Hip Hop culture as also influenced Indians since last few years. Many new talented performers are gaining popularity by creating meaningful and catchy Hip Hop music. I am going to throw light on some of the best Hip Hop artists in India.
- DIVINE
Vivian Fernandes, a resident of Mumbai, likes to practise authenticity and personal experiences in his rap. He started rapping in English but switched to Hindi verses on a friend’s suggestion. He got his big break by the release of “Meri Gully Main” which also featured Naezy. It took little time for the song and its creator to get viral on the internet. He started out as an underground rapper in 2011, and now he’s one of the most famous artists when it comes to Hip Hop in India. “Gully Boys” directed by Zoya Akhtar and Ranveer Singh as the lead, which is released recently is inspired by the lives of DIVINE and Naezy.
2. Naezy
Naezy’s real name is Naved Shaikh. He was born and brought up in Ram Bachan Chawl in Mumbai. Hip Hop entered his life when he heard Sean Paul’s “Temperature” at a wedding. Naezy gained popularity with the release of a music video name “Aafat” which gained millions of views. In 2014, a documentary was made on his life called “Bombay 70”. And now Bollywood’s latest “Gully Boy” is inspired by his life. He remains one of the most popular street rappers in India.
3. Raja Kumari
Raja Kumari aka Svetha Rao is not only an amazing rapper but a great songwriter. Her fame grew as she collaborated with artists like The Fifth Harmony, Knife Party, Fallout boy etc. She has been nominated for a Grammy in February 2015. Apart from Hip-hop, she has also been a classical dancer since she was 7 and she actively contributes in multiple philanthropic activities.
4. Brodha V
Vighnesh Shivanand is a Banglore-based Hip-hop artist, songwriter and a Music Producer. He began rapping at age of 18. He used to take part in rap battles on Orkut. Brodha V has been called one of the best in the industry and worked with many notable people like Vishal Dadlani, Raghu Dixit, Benny Dayal etc. Many pop-culture pages like Buzzfeed and Scoopwhoop have declared him as one of the best Hip Hop artists in India. Even Brodha V is been featured in Zoya Akhtar’s “Gully Boy”.
5. MC Prabh Deep
While DIVINE and Naezy keep Hip Hop culture original in Mumbai, Prabh does that in New Delhi with his Punjabi rap. His debut album “Class-Sikh” is considered as one of the top works in Hip-hop. Prabh has an exceptional quality of storytelling through his rap. Prabh’s work is versatile in contrast to other rappers’ one note raps. Just 23 years old, this guy is keeping the Hip Hop culture in New Delhi.
6. Ace
“Ace”, also called as 39 or Mumbai is yet another influential and popular Hip Hop artist in India. He is the leader of “Mumbai’s Finest”, the best group of Hip Hop artists in Mumbai. He has been featured on the cover page of Rolling Stones, India. He has worked in collaborations with many globally famous artists like Flo-rida, AR Rahman, Salim-Sulaiman, Shaan etc. Ace has appeared as a judge in more than 6000 shows. His recent album ‘Second to None’ showcases his rapping style to its best.
7. Smokey the Ghost
Sumukh Mysore aka Smokey the Ghost is from Bengaluru, striving to build rap music culture in India. Absorbing inspirations from artists like Kanye West, Eminem and Chance The Rapper, Sumukh is killing it in his own style of Hip-hop. He hit fame after joining ‘Machas With Attitude’ which was a south-Indian trio consisting of rappers like Big Nikk, Brodha V and himself. The rapper is getting an amazing response on his new mixtape named ‘Her Name Is?’ Smokey the Ghost is a huge inspiration for the South Indian Hip Hop community.
8. MC Mawali
Aklesh Sutar aka MC Mawali a strong voice or Maharashtrian Hip Hop. His raps are mostly revolutionary Marathi raps, based on either his own experiences or about the dominance of Western culture on India. He is known to deliver the truth from his Hip Hop and make a listener challenge his thoughts. Mawali has true lyrical powers and he does a big contribution in uplifting Maharashtra’s Hip Hop scene. He also leads a Hip Hop crew called Swadesi. India needs more Hip Hop artists like him.
9. Emiway Bantai
The man who created a song which currently is hugely viral, “Asli hip hop” from “Gully Boy”. Earlier Emiway used to rap in English when he had started out, but when his father advised him to rap in Hindi to reach more Indians, he made his first Hindi rap called “Aur Bantai” which was an instant hit. Since then he has been a rising star. He has won many awards like Radio City Film Award for “Aisa Kuch Shot Nahi Hai”, People’s Choice for Best Hip-Hop Artist and many others. Emiway is definitely a shining star of hip hop culture from South India.
10. The Quixotic
Mumbai-based Hip Hop Artist Shaswat Mishra is not only a sizzling and versatile rapper but also the co-founder of Underground Music League (UML). His songs like “Hold on, To love” and “Ain’t The End” have made quite the popularity among Hip Hop fans. The Quixotic is best known for his versatility and claims his music to be ‘experimental soul-music’. From participating in Orkut battles to organizing real-life rap battles, The Quixotic have reserved a big place in hearts of Hip Hop lovers.
