Indian hip hop

2021-07-04T06:05:51Z

106.51.26.156:

{{Infobox music genre
| name = Indian hip hop
| stylistic_origins = {{flatlist |
* [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]
* [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
* [[Soul music|soul]]
}}
| cultural_origins = 1990
| derivatives = [[Urban contemporary|Urban]]
| subgenres = {{flatlist |
* [[Urban contemporary|Urban]]
*[[Trance music|trance]]
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
*[[Electronic dance music|EDM]]
}}
| bgcolor = darkblue
| subgenrelist =
}}
'''Indian hip hop''' is a part of the [[South Asia]]n [[hip hop]] culture, is a genre of popular music developed in [[India]]. [[Desi hip hop]] is a term for music and culture which combines the influences of [[hip hop]] and the [[Indian subcontinent]]; the term [[desi]] referring to the South Asian diaspora. The term has also come to be used as an alternative for rap music and even pop music which involves rappers of South Asian origins.

== Overview ==
[[Apache Indian]], UK artist of Indian origin, was the earliest to make an impact on the UK charts with a series of hits during the nineties.<ref name="Larkin">Larkin, Colin (1998) ''The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae'', Virgin Books, {{ISBN|0-7535-0242-9}}, p.13</ref> [[Baba Sehgal]] introduced [[Hindi]] rap in the nineties with his albums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article1409183.ece|title=Baba unplugged}}</ref> His 1992 album, ''Thanda Thanda Pani'' sold 100,000 copies in three and a half months and brought rap music to the Indian club scene.<ref name="baba">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/23/arts/the-many-accents-of-rap-around-the-world-india-vanilla-ice-in-hindi.html|title=THE MANY ACCENTS OF RAP AROUND THE WORLD; India: Vanilla Ice In Hindi|last1=Gargan|first1=Edward|date=August 23, 1992|access-date=14 September 2015|work=The New York Times}}</ref> In the 2000s the desi hop scene remained limited largely to the underground, with a very niche loyal audience.<ref name="rapscene">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-rap-scene-a-revolt-that-will-not-get-televised/1/212918.html|title=Indian rap scene: A revolt that will not get televised|last1=Mehrotra|first1=Palash|date=12 August 2012|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=India Today}}</ref> Hip-hop culture, including [[graffiti]] and [[b-boying]] started seeping into the club scene and street culture of big cities like [[Delhi]] and [[Mumbai]].<ref name="scene">{{cite news|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/artbeat/inside-mumbais-burgeoning-hip-hop-scene|title=Inside Mumbai's Burgeoning Hip-Hop Scene|last1=Kappal|first1=Bhanuj|date=12 October 2013|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=The Sunday Guardian}}</ref>

[[Ashok Kumar]]’s recitation of [[Harindranath Chattopadhyay]]’s poem ''Rail Gaadi'' is considered to be one of the first rap songs in Bollywood. It was featured in the film ''[[Aashirwad]]'' (1968). In the 1990s rap started getting popular following the success of [[Baba Sehgal]]’s album ''Thanda Thanda Paani.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Before 'Gully Boy': Rap's journey in Hindi films (1968-continuing)|url=https://scroll.in/reel/910396/before-gully-boy-raps-journey-in-hindi-films-1968-continuing|last=Ghosh|first=Devarsi|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-15}}</ref>''

One of the early moments of Indian hip hop was the Bengali-language underground film [[Gandu (film)|Gandu]] which narrated a story of a rapper and had a soundtrack which mixed rap with alternative rock. Besides Bollywood and commercial rap music, the underground hip-hop scene started shaping. Many emerging rappers, crews started to create a buzz in the underground hip-hop scene. Groups such as [[Roll Rida]], [[Noel Sean]], [[Machas With Attitude]], [[Hiphop Tamizha]], and [[Street Academics]] pioneered respective vernacular rap music scenes.

There was increased interest in the rap genre in India after 2011, with many rappers emerging from across the country.<ref name="rapscene" /> This is largely credited to the success of [[Yo Yo Honey Singh]] in India and Bollywood, India's Hindi film industry.<ref name="toirap">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/punjabi/music/Punjabis-who-rocked-2014-Imran-Khan-Honey-Singh-Badshah-Dr-Zeus/articleshow/45546471.cms|title=Punjabis who rocked 2014: Imran Khan, Honey Singh, Badshah, Dr Zeus|last1=Nijher|first1=Jaspreet|date=17 December 2014|access-date=14 September 2015|work=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="toihoncredit">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Rappers-on-the-rise/articleshow/47592349.cms|title=Rappers on the rise|date=9 June 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|work=The Times of India}}</ref> Following huge success of his album [[International Villager]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/may/060512-Bollywood-Punjabs-bhangra-rapper-comes-to-Bollywood.htm|title=Punjab's bhangra-rapper comes to Bollywood|date=6 May 2012|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=Mid-Day}}</ref> Singh went on to release several hits songs both in independently and in Bollywood.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/top-youtube-indian-videos-2012-honey-singh/1/238316.html|title=Yo! Yo! Honey Singh tops the chart of trending videos of 2012|date=18 December 2012|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=India Today}}</ref> In the wake of success of Honey Singh, a new trend was formed in Bollywood with many producers roping in rap artists for their songs.<ref name="toirap" /> Even some big Bollywood actors like [[Ranveer Singh]], [[Akshay Kumar]] and [[Varun Dhawan]] tried their hands at rapping.<ref name="rapbolly">{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/articles/rap-music-is-making-a-comeback-in-bollywood-films/16529181|title=Rap music is making a comeback in Bollywood films|last1=Abraham|first1=Letty|date=13 September 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=Mid Day}}</ref>

Indian hip hop has picked up steam in the suburbs of India's biggest cities creating big names like [[Divine (rapper)|Divine]], [[Raftaar (rapper)|Raftaar]], [[Emiway Bantai]], [[KR$NA]] & [[Naezy]], who have been picked up by talent management agencies like OML<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/hip-hop-on-the-central-line/article7983134.ece|title=Hip Hop on the Central Line|last=Chakrabarti|first=Samrat|date=2015-12-13|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-09-14|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> who now have music videos with millions of views on YouTube.

Due to the exposure through Bollywood, rap became a household term and an increased production of rap music was observed, especially in the [[Music of Punjab|Punjabi music industry]].<ref name="toipindustry">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/punjabi/music/From-Bambi-Bains-to-Aman-Sandhu-Punjabi-musicians-talkabout-their-journey/articleshow/47802180.cms|title=From Bambi Bains to Aman Sandhu: Punjabi musicians talk about their journey|date=24 June 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|work=The Times of India}}</ref> There is an ongoing debate among the hip-hop community about the contribution of Honey Singh to the genre. While some artists including [[Badshah (rapper)|Badshah]],<ref name="badshah">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faRVfWesoHk|title=BADSHAH INTERVIEW @104.8 OYE FM BY RAAJ JONES|last1=Jones|first1=Raaj|website=Youtube|publisher=Oye 104.8 FM|access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> [[Ikka Singh|Ikka]],<ref name="Ikka">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmmWJVO6_OU|title=IKKA SINGH RARE INTERVIEW (TALKING ABOUT HIS MUSIC & YO YO HONEY SINGH @104.8 OYE FM BY RAAJ JONES|last1=Jones|first1=Raaj|website=Youtube|publisher=Oye 104.8 FM|access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> [[Manj Musik]] and [[Bohemia (musician)|Bohemia]]<ref name="toirest" /> have acknowledged his contribution to the industry, others such as [[Raftaar (singer)|Raftaar]]<ref name="toirest">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/Honey-Singh-versus-the-bitter-rest/articleshow/46570199.cms|title=Honey Singh versus the bitter rest|last1=Batra|first1=Ruhi|date=15 March 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|work=The Times of India}}</ref> and [[Imran Khan (singer)|Imran Khan]]<ref name="imranint">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vpbOCsdZn8|title=Imran Khan says "I don't even know who Honey Singh is". Satisfya|website=Youtube|access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> have openly denied it. There is also a negative sentiment among some followers of hip-hop culture in India regarding the recent commercialization of the genre.<ref name="rolling">{{cite news|url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/india-taking-hip-hop/|title=How India is Taking to Hip Hop|last1=Omulo|first1=Bob|date=19 September 2014|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=Rolling Stone}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/music/rap-is-rebel-music-worldwide-here-it-s-pop-rap-badshah/article1-1374358.aspx|title=Rap is rebel music worldwide, here it's 'pop rap': Badshah|date=29 July 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref> However, this commercialization has also led to expansion of the underground scene, with independent artists building a name in [[Music of India#Indian hip hop|Indian hip hop]]. Because of this, the future of hip-hop in India is generally perceived to be positive.<ref name="rolling" /><ref name="tribune1">{{cite web|title=Bohemia: More than just forties and shorties|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/327622/more-than-just-forties-and-shorties/|last=Mahmood|first=Rafay|work=The Express Tribune|publisher=Tribune.com.pk|access-date=14 September 2015}}</ref> There are many rappers in India, rapping in different languages such as [[Kannada language|Kannada]], [[Odia language|Odia]], [[Punjabi Language|Punjabi]], [[Marathi Language|Marathi]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Hindi]], [[Malayalam]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[Khasi language|Khasi]] etc.

Telugu hip hop became notable since the early 2000s when artists such as [[Smita]] started hip hop culture in the [[Telugu language]]. "Hai Rabba" and "Masaka Masaka" are her best selling albums which received wide acclaim, especially in the Indian sub-continent.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Singer Smita turns nostalgic; remembers her first song with MM Keeravani - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/singer-smita-turns-nostalgic-remembers-her-first-song-with-mm-keeravani/articleshow/69610452.cms|access-date=2021-01-01|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Artists such as [[Raja Kumari]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=‘My brand of hip hop is a bridge between a traditional Telugu home and the American culture’ - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/hyderabad/my-brand-of-hip-hop-is-a-bridge-between-a-traditional-telugu-home-and-the-american-culture/articleshow/70537728.cms|access-date=2021-01-01|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> [[Roll Rida]], [[Noel Sean]] and [[Manisha Eerabathini]] started the trend in the new-age Telugu hip hop by including [[Rapping|rap]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asura’s Telugu rap album hits the right notes|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/telugu/2020/aug/29/asuras-telugu-rap-album-hits-the-right-notes-2189631.html|access-date=2021-01-01|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> With the rise of its popularity, these artists started working in [[Tollywood (Telugu)|Tollywood]] since the late 2010s.<ref>{{Cite web|last=mojumder|first=oishani|date=2019-02-27|title=The rise of Telugu rap|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/270219/the-rise-of-telugu-rap.html|access-date=2021-01-01|website=Deccan Chronicle|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Pasha|first=Gouse|title=11 Rap Songs In Telugu That You Must Listen To Right Now!|url=https://chaibisket.com/best-telugu-rap-songs/|access-date=2021-01-01|website=Chai Bisket|language=en-US}}</ref>

Tamil hip hop is getting popular in India. Many other south Indian languages like Kannada, and Marathi is also becoming popular among masses in India.<ref>{{Cite web|title=It's a rap! New single goes viral on day one|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2019/nov/28/its-a-rap-new-single-goes-viral-on-day-one-2068072.html|access-date=2020-05-04|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Tagat|first=Anurag|date=2019-06-07|title=Can't stop, won't stop: the rise of Tamil rap|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/the-rise-of-tamil-rap/article27611045.ece|access-date=2020-05-04|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Protest hip hop ==
Protest hip hop came into limelight after mass protest started all over India against the [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests|Citizenship Amendment Act of 2019]]. Since the crackdown in [[2019 Jamia Millia Islamia attack|JMI]], AMU and JNU, and the [[2020 Delhi riots]] several rappers from all over the country have joined the cause with their own sonic protest. Rappers such as [[Rapper Shaz]] gained recognition for their protest songs.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Majumdar|first=Meghna|date=2019-12-23|title=How art on social media became the face of anti-CAA protests|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/how-art-on-social-media-became-the-face-of-anti-caa-protests/article30379272.ece|access-date=2020-05-03|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Santhanam Srinivasan Iyer (EPR),<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-10-23|title=Rapper EPR's Song About Farmer Suicides Is Powerful Beyond Belief|url=https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/rapper-epr-farmer-suicide-hip-hop-india|access-date=2020-06-04|website=The Quint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Voice Of The People: Protest Music In India|url=http://www.thewildcity.com/features/15939-voice-of-the-people-protest-music-in-india|access-date=2020-05-03|website=www.thewildcity.com|language=en}}</ref>

Artist YoungProzpekt now [[Krsna (rapper)|KR$NA]] released "Kaisa Mera Desh" in 2010. The track was an anti-corruption anthem against the [[2010 Commonwealth Games]], and the statement of Indian development in particular.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-10-06|title='Yeh Kaisa Mera Desh: - Young Prozpekt's Rant against the Commonwealth Games|url=https://www.mensxp.com/entertainment/must-watch/3151-yeh-kaisa-mera-desh-young-prozpekts-rant-against-the-commonwealth-games.html|access-date=2021-03-02|website=www.mensxp.com|language=en-IN}}</ref> It became the first Indian hip hop song on [[YouTube]] and earning a #2 ranking as one of the most watched music videos in India overnight following its release.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|last2=|first2=|last3=|first3=|last4=|first4=|title=Hip hop hustle|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/supplement/story/20130819-hip-hop-hustle-765104-2013-08-06|url-status=live|access-date=2021-03-02|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Hip hop}}

[[Category:Indian hip hop]]
[[Category:Indian music]]

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Indian hip hop