In this article, we bring you the most talented Indian rappers who have made a significant impact in the hip-hop industry. Since the release of the movie "Gully Boy" and the rap battles between Raftaar and Emiway, rap music has been gaining immense popularity in India. People are talking about rap, listening to rap music, and trying to decipher the intricate lyrics of their favorite rappers. The rise of reality shows like MTV Hustle and the success of movies like "Gully Boy" have played a crucial role in revolutionizing rap in India.
Before the Indian hip-hop revolution, artists like Honey Singh, Raftaar, and Badshah introduced a fusion of hip-hop and pop, creating a fresh and commercial sound that captivated the Indian audience. However, in 2022, a wave of new and talented rappers emerged, completely transforming the Indian hip-hop scene. The music videos of these Indian rappers are trending on YouTube, and their tracks are climbing the Spotify charts.
India is home to numerous skilled rappers, but let's take a closer look at the top 5 best rappers in India in 2023 who are making waves in the commercial industry as well as the underground rap culture.
Please note that this is not a ranked list or a countdown. We have compiled a selection of outstanding rappers in India, each with their own unique style, rap flow, and musical sensibilities.
GULLY GANG BOI - Currently, Divine stands as the most prominent figure in the Indian hip-hop scene. Vivian Fernandes, widely known as Divine, is an Indian rapper hailing from Mumbai. He initially began his career as an underground rapper in 2011, starting off with English lyrics before transitioning to Hindi. Divine was a member of the hip-hop crew called "Mumbai's Finest." In 2014, his track "Yeh Mera Bombay" earned him the Rolling Stone India's Best Music Video of the Year award, gaining significant recognition within the underground scene.
His debut single, "Jungli Sher," released under Sony Music India, soared to the top of the charts. On 29th April 2016, Divine even featured "Jungli Sher" on the Breakfast Show of BBC Asian Network. What sets Divine apart is his distinctive lyrical style. He has made a name for himself in the underground hip-hop scene while also delivering several commercial hits. Divine's life became an inspiration for the Bollywood movie "Gully Boy," where he and Naezy played a significant role.
Recently, Divine released his debut album, "Kohinoor," which has been embraced by his devoted fan base. The tracks on the album have been receiving tremendous love and admiration. It is this outstanding body of work that solidifies Divine's position as the finest rapper in India. That's why he has earned the title of the best Indian rapper in 2023.
Raftaar is a rapper who has found success in both the mainstream and underground music scenes. He has a diverse range of songs, including commercial dance tracks, socially conscious rap, and explicit content. Raftaar has collaborated with various rappers and artists in the music industry.
Born as Dilin Nair, Raftaar is an Indian rapper from Kerala. He was previously signed with the Punjabi band RDB before working with Manj Musik of RDB and eventually pursuing a solo career. In 2016, he won the Brit Asia Awards' Best Urban Song Of The Year for his track "Swag Mera Desi." Raftaar has contributed to Bollywood with numerous hit songs and is highly sought after by top music producers in India.
Raftaar is not only a skilled rapper but also actively involved in other fields such as dancing and television. He serves as a team leader on the Indian reality show "Roadies" and also acts as a judge on "MTV Hustle," the first Indian rap and hip-hop show. Fans eagerly await Raftaar's upcoming album titled "Mr. Nair," set to release in the first quarter of 2022. He recently dropped a motivational track called "Aage Chal." These achievements contribute to Raftaar being regarded as the best Indian rapper in 2021.
Krishna Kaul, known by his stage name kr$na, is a rapper based in New Delhi. He began his rap career in the early 2000s, initially rapping in English and signing with a label. He gained recognition with his music track "Kaisa Mera Desh" in 2010. Krishna also released a song called "Vijay" for an NGO dedicated to saving children. He is proficient in both Hindi and English rap. Later, he caught the attention of Raftaar and became a member of the Kalamkaar team.
Krishna, along with other rappers, is currently working with Raftaar at the music record label called "Kalamkar." He gained popularity for his rap track titled "Vyanjan." Recently, kr$na engaged in a Diss track battle with Emiway. kr$na initiated the battle with his Diss track "Free verse feast (Langer)," as a response to Emiway's "Free verse feast (Dawat)." Emiway then released a track called "Seedha takeover," although he didn't directly mention kr$na. In response, kr$na released his own track called "Makeover." As of now, Emiway has not responded.
Krishna is a rapper who began his career rapping in English and still managed to get signed by a label. He possesses impressive flow and a strong command of Hindi and English vocabulary. He showcased his Hindi rapping skills in a song called "Vyanjan," where he raps about each Hindi alphabet. Recently, after Emiway's track "Freeverse feast (Dawat)," kr$na released a song called "Freeverse feast (langar)" in response. In this song, he demonstrates his English rapping abilities, delivering impactful and memorable lyrics as an Indian rapper.
King Rocco, also known as Arpan Kumar Chandel, is a well-known Indian singer, rapper, and hip-hop artist. He embarked on his musical journey at a young age and has risen to become one of the most successful rappers in the country.
King Rocco gained popularity through his participation in the television show MTV Hustle in 2019. This platform provided him with the opportunity to showcase his talent in front of renowned stars such as Raftaar, Nucleya, Raja Kumari, and others.
In subsequent years, King Rocco gained viral attention on various social media platforms for his song "Tu Aake Dekhle" from the album "Carnival." This contributed to his gradual ascent up the music charts.
Dino James is a rapper known for his unique rap style and musical sensibility. He has gained popularity for his distinctive flow, which sets him apart from other rap artists.
Dino James is highly acclaimed and has a significant presence among rappers on the internet. He is known for his realistic approach to relationships and emotions, which he beautifully portrays in his songs. One of his popular tracks, "Girlfriend," which features lighthearted lyrics about different types of relationships, went viral online.
Another well-received track of his is "Loser," which explores the struggles faced by individuals in their lives. The audience appreciates the heartfelt lyrics in his songs. When compared to other rappers, Dino James stands out and achieves great success.
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