Top 10 Rappers In India

India has a long history of being praised for its rich cultural heritage, amazing music and dance styles, and unique mingling of cultures. However, as time has passed, changes and development that no one could have anticipated have happened. While the classics will always be valuable, new dance, art, and music genres are always being introduced, and individuals are upgrading their practices by trying to blend with many cultures! Rap music is one of the twenty-first century's most popular and quickly expanding musical subgenres. In 1990, the Punjabi musician Baba Sehgal introduced hip-hop to India. With songs like "Thanda Thanda Paani" and "Dil Dhadke," Harjeet Singh Sehgal, sometimes referred to as Baba Sehgal, helped popularise rap and hip-hop. Then, in the early 2000s, the California-based rapper Bohemia (Roger David), a Pakistani-American, sparked the Indian Hip Hop genre. ShaOne, a hip-hop producer, assisted Bohemia in releasing his debut album "Vich Pardesan De" (Seth Agress). He quickly rose to fame after publishing "Pesa Nasha Pyar," the first full-length Punjabi rap album, which was an immediate hit in India.

Hip-hop music's rap style was developed in the 1970s by African Americans and Latinos in the United States. The people of that era suffered from pervasive inequality and were denied the ability to express their concerns. Rap was one of the ways they discovered to spread it, along with other types of art. Rap used to be a revolutionary movement component and a means of communicating about struggle. Rap became a platform for people to express their hardships only via art.

Rappers have become increasingly important in the music industry, and their numbers have increased significantly in India. People appreciate rap because they enjoy listening to topics they can relate to. They resonate with listeners because they are relevant to what rappers are talking about. It encourages people to believe those good things can emerge from hardship, a notion that rapping has always stood for. Rap music, in summary, is the ideal fusion of inspiration and fun. Young generations may now believe in their aspirations thanks to rap artists. More people want to become rappers.

1. Raftaar

Dilin Nair is an Indian rapper, songwriter, dancer, TV personality, and music composer best known by his stage name Raftaar. His work is most closely associated with Hindi and Punjabi music. He was born on November 16, 1988.

He began his rap career in 2008 by producing music alongside Lil Golu and Young Amli and sharing it online (now known as Ikka). Raftaar was born to Malayali parents from Delhi in Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala. Raftaar wed Komal Vohra in December 2016, the sister of Indian television stars Karan Vohra and Kunal Vohra. They started living apart in 2020 and filed for divorce. Due to the COVID epidemic, the legal processes were postponed. After Manj Musik launched his song "Swag Mera Desi" in 2013, Raftaar gained popularity. When he was a kid, his family used it to listen to Michael Jackson, inspiring him to hustle. He downloaded a wide variety of music, including tracks by Eminem and Linkin Park, to sell as MP3s for Rs at school. He then began instructing students in dance! Yes, this rapper initially started dancing before rapping. He started combining several songs to create medleys in the early days of his YouTube research. This was the start of his musical and rap career. He began penning Punjabi songs under the pen name Dilin, but through time, he evolved into the Raftaar that everyone is familiar with-the author of memoirs.

2. Emiway Bantai

Emiway is a rapper who, in real life, goes by the name Bilal Shaikh. He lives in Antop Hill, as evidenced by the fact that several of his tracks rhythmically depict his Pincode "Mumbai 47." Emiway comes from a Karnataka-based, middle-class family of observant Muslims. His stage moniker, "Emiway," was created by fusing the initials of Eminem and Lil Wayne, or Emi+Way. He had to put in much effort to study hip-hop music. He began creating rap videos in 2014 as a hobby, but after receiving an amazing response, he began to take rap music seriously. He released the English version of "Glint Lock," his debut YouTube song, alongside Minta in 2013. He worked as a worker at the "Hard Rock Cafe" throughout the early years of his career as a rapper to make money for his music without needing financial assistance from his family. It so happened that he earned the Radio City Freedom Award there a few years later. He used to rap first in English, but his father advised him to attempt it in Hindi so that the average Indian could readily comprehend it. In addition, his father, who appeared in one of his videos, had long aspired to be an actor. His debut Hindi rap, "Aur Bantai," which he released in 2014, became an immediate smash.

Bantai The Studio is the name of his own music studio. Bantai had previously participated in India's Got Talent, a well-known reality talent competition, before being well-known. Emiway and Bantai are derived from the streets of Bombay and Eminem and Lil Wayne, respectively. The rapper and composer from Mumbai began composing music in 2013 and has now amassed over 3 billion listens on his over 150-song discography, all done independently. Nearly 2 years later, in 2017, he worked with Raftaar on the song "#Sadak," which was his much-needed breakthrough.

3. Divine

Rappers are familiar with the Gully boy rapper Divine. His tale began at a young age and is similar to that of other rappers today, with the exception that his style of music is similar to that of color rappers from the west, who create songs about their histories. Divine, the "Voice of the Street," was conceived by a mother who worked abroad and an alcoholic father. In one of his songs, he expresses his desire to bring his mother back from overseas and for her to stop working more so they could be together. At one time in his history, he was involved in the drug trade, which he freely acknowledges as one of the lowest points of his life.

Rapper Vivian Wilson Fernandes, also known as Divine (spelled DIVINE), was born on October 2, 1990, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He rose to fame with the number-one song "Mere gully mein," in which he sang about the tasks that residents of Mumbai's chawls and slums had to perform daily. He has a distinctive flow that works well in mainstream Kaam 25 and literary medleys like Junoon. He started to gain popularity after one of his songs, "Yeh Mera Bombay," was published (2013). On December 12, 2020, Divine made history by being the first Indian rapper to be featured on the Spotify Times Square billboard in New York City thanks to his soundtrack Punya Paap (2020), which had earlier topped Apple Music India's rankings. He was the first hip-hop artist from India to make his Grammy debut at the 64th Grammy Awards in 2022. He is well known for encapsulating the street culture of Mumbai. Divine announced the founding of a new company, Gully Gang Entertainment, in February 2019 to discover and nurture hip-hop talent in the Mumbai area. The record company "Gully Gang Records" is also involved in this attempt.

4. MC Stan

He was born on August 30, 1999. MC Stan's dissing rap battle with Emiway Bantai and the song "Wata," which has gathered over 9 million views on YouTube, originally made him famous. His YouTube account has more than 5 Million subscribers.

His flow and manner of rapping make him similar to Tupac, even though he is not Tupac. For this reason, we might refer to him as the Indian Tupac. The woman MC Stan is in a relationship with and resides in Pune, Maharashtra, is named Niya. Altaf Tadavi, often known as MC Stan, is one of the most gifted young rappers in India. MC Stan's style of rapping is unique compared to the other rappers on the list. His style of hip-hop is known as New School Hip-Hop. MC Stan is also a poet, composer, producer, mix engineer, and rapper. MC Stan's estimated net worth is between 4 and 5 million INR. 2018 sees the release of Wata, the debut song by MC Stan. His Rap was well-received by the public and received much attention. The next year, he published another Rap, Khuja Mat, essentially a diss to Emiway Bantai. Unfortunately, YouTube removed the video due to copyright difficulties brought up by Naezy, alias Naved Sheikh. However, on February 23, 2019, Naezy lifted the strike. The Rap had 24 Million views on Youtube and was a big success.

5. King

The 2019 MTV Hustle fame Rapper and vocalist Arpan Kumar Chandel, often known as King Rocco, is well-known in India. Arpan was born in New Delhi, the nation's capital, and is frequently referred to as King Rocco. The musician started his musical career at a very young age. Since he was 8 years old, he has wanted to be a famous rapper. Ultimately, he succeeded in his goal and had tremendous success with his YouTube channel. King Rocco is seeking to focus more on his job. He began his career in 2015 with the track Boombas King, then in October 2017, he released his debut studio album, Circumstances. Two tracks from the album were made available: "The Division" and "Clearly Now."

Chandel attended Vinay Marg Navyug Secondary School in New Delhi. He dropped out of school while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts to become a rapper. In 219, King Rocco made his television debut on the MTV program Hustle. He played in front of well-known performers, including Nucleya, Raja Kumari, and Raftaar. After he gave his first solo performance on stage, Nucleya made him an opportunity to work on his record. The 2020 release of King Rocco's THE CARNIVAL series received much fanfare. His YouTube channel has more than 1.44 million subscribers.

6. MC Manmeet Kaur

India's MC, Manmeet Kaur, is a gifted rapper and vocalist. She is renowned for her upbeat performances and memorable lyrics. She has won several awards and accolades for her songs. Whether it's a live program, business event, wedding show, or college event, MC Manmeet Kaur is one of the energetic achievers and performers who can suitably amuse your show. People of all ages like seeing MC Manmeet Kaur perform for them because of her captivating personality, which can enchant everyone nearby, regardless of age. Rapper MC Manmeet Kaur, who began her career in her teens, is renowned for her outspoken voice and willingness to address sensitive issues like inequity. She took on subjects that no one had ever taken on before, and as a result of her bravery and speaking out on issues like misogyny, she became among the most popular rappers. Her 2015 first album, "Hip Hop Bahu," provided insights into her married life in the desi hip-hop community.

7. Krsna

Formerly known as Young Prozpekt and by his given name alone, Krishna Kaul now goes by the moniker KRSNA. Prozpekt, a rapper from Kashmir who used to go by Prozpekt, started rapping at 14. Prozpekt, a rapper from Gurugram in India's Delhi NCR. On October 4, 1987, Krishna Kaul was born in Delhi to a Kashmiri Pandit family. He spent part of his childhood there, and went to school for a period. Kaul started rapping at fourteen years old to blend in with the other kids at his London school. He was among the first rappers to appear on the Indian hip-hop scene in the middle of the 2000s. He portrayed himself briefly in the 2019 Bollywood movie Gully Boy. He is well-known in the Desi Hip-Hop scene for his poetry, technical skill, and notoriety for engaging in legendary beef. He was among the first to see popularity on YouTube when one of the first songs he uploaded, "Kaisa Mera desh," immediately went viral. It was one of the most popular Indian videos at the time. This rapper hasn't turned around since then. He began rapping and was signed by Universal Studios during a time when rapping, much alone rapping in English, was not a common occurrence in India. He currently has a deal with the record company Kalamkaar.

Kaul started creating songs in 2006 and uploading them on his MySpace page. He had a small local following in New Delhi by 2008 and has collaborated with American and Canadian musicians on recordings. His first big break occurred in 2010 when the music video for "Kaisa Mera Desh" was released. It debuted as the initial Indian hip-hop song on YouTube and soon climbed to the #2 position among India's most-watched music videos.

8. Dino James

Rapper, vocalist, poet, composer, and rapper Dino James is well-known in India. He often posts music videos to his self-titled YouTube account, and the majority of the lyrics to his songs are based on his struggles and real-life events. Dino James was born on November 12, 1991, in the hamlet of Ghoradongri in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Dino James is now a resident of Mumbai and is 31 years old. He moved back to his hometown of Bhopal to work for his father's electrical contracting company after spending his first year in Mumbai as a side performer. In a very conventional society where everyone aspires to be an engineer, a doctor, or a lawyer, it might be quite difficult to persuade your family that you desire to become a "Rapper" or even an "In-house writer." When he penned "Girlfriend," he wasn't thinking about becoming a rapper; instead, he just wanted to write about his emotions, which led to his becoming one. He received much praise from Being Indian, one of the well-known YouTube channels for which he produced "Loser," one of the rap scene's most inspirational tracks, but as the saying goes, God has a purpose for you constantly.

After arguing with his father and returning to Mumbai, events eventually changed, leading to his emergence as a rapper. He now writes a variety of tracks, but Wishlist, his most well-known rap, was released barely a month ago. Dino James' father worked as an electrician. Since he was a young child, Dino had little interest in his studies. He landed in Mumbai in 2002 with high hopes. After almost two years of residing in Mumbai, he got employed by an advertising agency. There, he completed three or four brief ads. Every coworker told Dino that while he could write well, acting was not something he could do.

9. Yo Yo Honey Singh

Rapper, music producer and actor Yo Yo Honey Singh is from India. He was born in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India, in 1983. Singh rose to fame in the early 2010s with hits such as "Lungi Dance" and "Brown Rang." In addition to his successful music career, Singh has also appeared in several Bollywood films, such as "The Xpose" and "Zorawar." In addition to winning the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer, he has been nominated for and received other honors. Singh has faced controversy in the past, including accusations of promoting drug use in his lyrics and a public struggle with bipolar disorder. Despite this, he continues to be a well-liked and significant player in the Indian music business. Yo Yo Honey Singh is a highly successful and influential rapper and music producer from India. He began his career in the late 2000s and quickly gained popularity with his unique blend of Bhangra and hip-hop music. Singh's breakthrough came in 2012 with the release of the single "Lungi Dance," which became a massive hit in India and abroad. He has since released several successful singles, including "Brown Rang," "High Heels," and "Dheere Dheere."

Singh has pursued acting in addition to his singing career, making appearances in several Bollywood movies, including "The Xpose" and "Zorawar." He has been recognized for his performance with several honors and accolades, including the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer. Singh has seen both controversy and considerable success in his career. He has been accused of promoting drug use in his lyrics and has publicly struggled with bipolar disorder. He continues to be a well-liked and significant player in the Indian music business despite these difficulties.

10. Badshah

Badshah is a popular Indian rapper and music producer. He was earlier known as Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia in New Delhi in 1985 and began his music career in 2006. Over the years, he has released several successful singles and albums, establishing himself as one of the most successful rappers in India. Badshah's music is known for its catchy beats and lyrics, and he has collaborated with several other artists, including Yo Yo Honey Singh, Diljit Dosanjh, and Aastha Gill. He has also worked on the soundtracks for several Bollywood films, including "Kapoor & Sons" and "Baar Baar Dekho."

Badshah has judged several reality TV programs along with his musical endeavors, including "India's Raw Star" and "MTV Hustle." In recognition of his efforts, he has received several honors, including the IIFA Award for Best Music Direction and the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director. Badshah is known for his energetic stage presence and has built a large and devoted fan base in India and worldwide. He continues to be a major force in the Indian music industry. In addition to his professional success, Badshah is known for living a lavish lifestyle. He is often seen driving luxury cars and has been spotted at high-end events and parties. Despite his wealth and fame, Badshah has remained down-to-earth and has a close relationship with his fans. Badshah's talent and hard work have helped him achieve great success in the Indian music industry, and he continues to be a major force in rap and hip-hop.

Conclusion

Rap and hip-hop music have gained a great deal of popularity in India in recent years, and the rap and hip-hop scene in the country has grown significantly. As a result, prospective rappers now have various options for establishing lucrative careers. One of the main factors driving the growth of the rap and hip-hop scene in India is the increasing popularity of streaming platforms such as Spotify and YouTube. These platforms have made it easier for artists to share their music with a wider audience and have helped to expose more people to the genre. In addition, the rise of social media has made it easier for artists to connect with their fans and promote their music. There are now many successful rappers in India, including Yo Yo Honey Singh, Badshah, and Divine, who have built large and devoted fan bases and have achieved great success in the industry. These artists have helped pave the way for up-and-coming rappers and have shown a demand for rap and hip-hop music in India. Overall, the scope of a rapping career in India is growing, and there are now many opportunities for aspiring rappers to build successful careers in the industry. Rappers with skill may succeed well in India and abroad with perseverance and hard effort.