DESI HIP HOP
The pulse of indian street culture. artists, beats, and stories from the underground
history
India’s rap and hip-hop scene has come a long way, growing from an underground movement to a major cultural force. The genre’s roots can be traced back to the 1990s, with pioneers like Baba Sehgal, who first introduced Indian audiences to rap music by blending Hindi lyrics and Western hip-hop beats. Next, Bohemia, known as the “Pioneer of Desi Hip-Hop,” further shaped the scene with Punjabi rap in the early 2000s. His collaborations, particularly with artists like Panjabi MC, helped elevate Indian hip-hop on the global stage, marking the beginning of international collaborations that mixed Indian sounds with international influences.
FEATURED ARTISTS
TOP ALBUMS
WALKING ON WATER
DIVINE
As his most devoted fans know, hip-hop superstar Vivian Fernandes’ alias DIVINE originates from a brief gospel-rap phase at the start of his career. The title of his sprawling fifth album Walking on Water is a nod both to that early genre stint and to his status as an undisputed god of Indian rap. It’s an LP that digs deep into his gully rap roots while also branching into the many stylistic territories he’s conquered. He builds bangers and bars off Bollywood and Konkani pop samples, collabs with Punjabi MCs, parties hard with Hanumankind and goes back to the beginning on the spiritually themed “Drama”.
PentHouse Tapes, Vol. 1
Calm, DL91Era
For almost a decade, New Delhi duo Seedhe Maut-featuring rappers Calm and Encore ABJ-have been hailed among the Indian hip-hop scene’s most influential acts. The boys draw from their own life experiences to craft groundbreaking musical stories. And for rapper-producer Calm, even a chill period can lead to a burst of work such as 2026 mixtape PentHouse Tapes, Vol. 1. Breezy songs such as “KHO KHO” and “RELAX” lead the laidback vibe, with other highlights including the artist’s open-hearted ode to his journey so far, “BUN MUSKA”. Collabs also rule the LP: “PISHA” is stuffed with talent.
WALKING ON WATER
DIVINE
As his most devoted fans know, hip-hop superstar Vivian Fernandes’ alias DIVINE originates from a brief gospel-rap phase at the start of his career. The title of his sprawling fifth album Walking on Water is a nod both to that early genre stint and to his status as an undisputed god of Indian rap. It’s an LP that digs deep into his gully rap roots while also branching into the many stylistic territories he’s conquered. He builds bangers and bars off Bollywood and Konkani pop samples, collabs with Punjabi MCs, parties hard with Hanumankind and goes back to the beginning on the spiritually themed “Drama”.
WALKING ON WATER
DIVINE
As his most devoted fans know, hip-hop superstar Vivian Fernandes’ alias DIVINE originates from a brief gospel-rap phase at the start of his career. The title of his sprawling fifth album Walking on Water is a nod both to that early genre stint and to his status as an undisputed god of Indian rap. It’s an LP that digs deep into his gully rap roots while also branching into the many stylistic territories he’s conquered. He builds bangers and bars off Bollywood and Konkani pop samples, collabs with Punjabi MCs, parties hard with Hanumankind and goes back to the beginning on the spiritually themed “Drama”.