Top 10 Indian Hip Hop Artists You Need to Know About

Indian hip hop has come a long way in the last decade. With the advent of social media, the genre has exploded in popularity, with young artists finding their voice and sharing their stories through music.

Another important factor was the emergence of hip hop communities and events across India. Hip hop dance battles, rap battles, and open mic nights provided a platform for aspiring artists to showcase their skills and connect with other like-minded individuals in the hip hop scene. These events helped to build a sense of community and solidarity among Indian hip hop artists and fans.

Overall, I think it's the combination of online platforms, hip hop communities, and popular media exposure helped to popularize hip hop in India and establish it as a legitimate and thriving music genre.

If you are new to the Indian Hip Hop scene and didn't know about the top Indian Hip Hop artists to start your journey with, you have come to the right place to learn about the top 10 artists and their music that you should check out. 

1. Sidhu Mose Wala

Sidhu Moose Wala is a Punjabi singer, songwriter, and actor who began his musical journey in 2015 by uploading his first song "License" to YouTube, which quickly gained popularity among Punjabi music lovers.

Sidhu Moosewala's rise to fame was not without controversy. His songs often dealt with sensitive issues, such as drug addiction and violence, which sparked debate and criticism from some quarters. Despite this, he has remained popular with his fans, who appreciate his music's raw and honest portrayal of life in Punjab.

He became famous for his unique style, blending traditional Punjabi folk music with modern beats and lyrics that reflected the struggles and aspirations of Punjabi youth. He has released several hit songs, including "So High," "Warning Shots," "Sidhu's Anthem," and "Ishq Da Uda Adaa."

2. Divine

Divine's musical journey began in 2011 when he formed the Mumbai-based hip-hop crew "Mumbai's Finest." He gained widespread recognition in 2013 when he released his debut single "Yeh Mera Bombay," which became an instant hit among music lovers.

Divine's music is inspired by his personal experiences of growing up in the slums and dealing with poverty, crime, and violence. His lyrics reflect the struggles and aspirations of the working-class people in Mumbai. He has released several hit songs, including "Jungli Sher," "Farak," and "Mere Gully Mein," which was later remixed by American rapper Nas.

Divine's music has received critical acclaim both in India and internationally, and he has become one of the most influential and popular figures in the Indian hip-hop scene. He continues to create music that reflects the realities of life in Mumbai's slums while also inspiring hope and change.

3. Mc Stan

MC Stan, whose real name is Altaf Shaikh, is an Indian rapper and hip-hop artist from Mumbai, India. He  started his musical journey in 2017 by uploading his rap videos on YouTube.

MC Stan's music is influenced by his personal experiences of growing up in a lower-middle-class family in Mumbai. His lyrics reflect the struggles of the youth in Mumbai's slums and deal with themes such as poverty, crime, and social injustice.

He gained fame in 2019 when he released his hit single "Wata," which went viral on social media platforms. Since then, he has released several popular tracks such as "Khuja Mat," "Yede Ki Chadar," and "Astaghfirullah."

MC Stan's music has been appreciated for its raw and honest portrayal of life in Mumbai's slums, and he has become one of the most popular rappers in the Indian hip-hop scene. Despite facing controversy over some of his lyrics, he has continued to create music that resonates with his fans and reflects the realities of life in Mumbai.

4. Emiway Bantai

Emiway Bantai, whose real name is Bilal Shaikh, is an Indian rapper, songwriter, and actor from Mumbai, India. He started his musical journey in 2013 by uploading rap videos on YouTube.

Emiway's music is known for its hard-hitting lyrics and unique style, which blends Hindi and English language rap. He gained fame in 2018 when he released his hit single "Samajh Mein Aaya kya," which went viral on social media platforms. Since then, he has released several popular tracks such as "Dhyan De," "Seedha Takeover," and "Khatam Hue Waande."

Emiway's music has been appreciated for its catchy beats, relatable lyrics, and his ability to connect with the youth. He has become one of the most popular rappers in the Indian hip-hop scene and has collaborated with several artists, including Raftaar and Divine.

5. Baadshah

Baadshah, whose real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, is an Indian rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor from Delhi, India. He started his musical journey in 2006 with the Punjabi music group "Mafia Mundeer."

Baadshah gained widespread recognition in 2012 when he released his hit single "Khoon Choos Le," which was featured in the Bollywood film "Go Goa Gone." Since then, he has released several popular tracks such as "Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai," "DJ Waley Babu," and "Genda Phool."

Baadshah's music is known for its catchy beats, fusion of Indian and western music, and his unique style of rapping. He has become one of the most successful and popular rappers in the Indian music industry and has collaborated with several artists, including Arijit Singh and Neha Kakkar. 

6. Raftaar 

Dilin Nair, better known by his stage name Raftaar, is an Indian rapper, lyricist, and composer born on November 16, 1988, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Raftaar began his musical journey as a member of the urban music group Mafia Mundeer in 2009. He later formed the duo Maxxx with another member of the group, but they eventually parted ways.

Raftaar gained popularity with his song "Swag Mera Desi" in 2013, which was widely acclaimed and earned him critical recognition. He has since released several hit songs, including "Dilli Waali Baatcheet," "Main Wahi Hoon," and "Toh Dishoom."

Known for his high-energy performances and unique style of mixing Hindi and Punjabi lyrics, Raftaar has become a prominent figure in the Indian music industry. He has also been a judge on the reality show MTV Roadies and MTV Hustle.

7.  Honey Singh

Yo Yo Honey Singh is a popular Indian rapper, music producer, and composer. He was born on March 15, 1983, in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. He started his musical journey in 2006 and gained popularity with his debut album "Peshi" in 2006.

Yo Yo Honey Singh has since released several hit songs and albums, such as "Brown Rang," "Angreji Beat," "Lungi Dance," and "Dheere Dheere." He has also composed music for Bollywood films like "Chennai Express," "Cocktail," and "Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety."

His unique blend of Punjabi and hip-hop music has made him a popular figure in the Indian music industry. He has won numerous awards for his work, including the ETC award for the Best Sound in 2006 and the Brit Asia TV Music Award for Best International Act in 2012.

Despite his success, Yo Yo Honey Singh has also faced controversy over the years. In 2014, he took a break from music to focus on his health, but he made a comeback in 2018 with the song "Dil Chori."

8. Ikka

Ikka Singh, also known as Ikka, is an Indian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Uttar Pradesh, India. He began his musical journey as a member of the popular Punjabi music group Mafia Mundeer. He later left the group to pursue a solo career in music.

Ikka gained popularity with his debut single "In Da Club" in 2014, which was a huge success and received positive feedback from both fans and critics. He has since released several hit songs, including "Half Window Down", "Body Language", and "Angaar".

Ikka is known for his versatile style of rapping and his ability to seamlessly blend Hindi and Punjabi lyrics in his songs. He has collaborated with many well-known artists in the Indian music industry and has contributed to the soundtracks of several Bollywood films.

Today, Ikka is regarded as one of the most prominent and successful rappers in India. He continues to create music that resonates with his fans and inspires new artists to follow in his footsteps.

9. Seedhe Maut

Seedhe Maut is a hip-hop duo consisting of rappers Encore ABJ and Calm. They are from New Delhi, India and are known for their hard-hitting lyrics and socially conscious messages in their music. They began their musical journey in 2016 and quickly gained recognition in the Indian hip-hop scene with their debut album "Bayaan".

Seedhe Maut has released several successful tracks, including "Pankh", "Kranti", and "101". They are known for their raw and authentic style of rap and their ability to address important issues such as political corruption, social inequality, and the struggles of everyday life.

The duo has collaborated with several other artists in the Indian hip-hop scene and has contributed to the growth and evolution of the genre in India. They are recognized as one of the most prominent and innovative hip-hop acts in India today, and continue to inspire new artists with their music and message.

10. Dino James

Dino James is a rapper and musician hailing from Bhopal, India. He started his musical journey in 2011 by uploading his first rap song on YouTube. Over the years, Dino has become known for his unique style of blending hard-hitting lyrics with catchy beats, and his ability to address sensitive topics in his songs.

In 2016, Dino released his debut single "Loser" which became a viral hit and gained him a large following. He followed it up with several other successful tracks such as "Girlfriend", "Achi Maza Aayi" and "Nidarr".

Dino's music is heavily influenced by his own life experiences, and he often raps about topics such as mental health, self-confidence, and relationships. He has been praised for his ability to connect with his audience and for the authenticity of his lyrics.

Today, Dino James is considered one of the most popular and successful rappers in India, with a loyal fan base and millions of views on his YouTube channel.