DesireeTietjen at 03:19, 10 February 2026

2026-02-10T03:19:06Z

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{{Short description|Kashmiri rapper}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = MC Kash
| image = TM202403122.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Mc Kash in 2021
| birth_name = Roushan Illahi
| alias = MC Kash
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1990}}
| birth_place = [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], India
| genre = [[Rap]], [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mckashofficial.com/bio|title=Bio|work=MC Kash|accessdate=20 September 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141023093302/https://www.mckashofficial.com/bio|archivedate=23 October 2014}}</ref>
| instrument = Vocals
| years_active = 2009–2016
| label = Independent
| associated_acts = {{flatlist|
Alif (previously Highway 61), Ali Saffudin, 101 India
}}
| website = {{URL|mckashofficial.com}}
}}

'''Roushan Illahi''' (born 1990) popularly known by his stage name '''MC Kash''' is a Kashmiri emcee/rapper.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/617461/kashmir-rappers-battle-to-be-heard/|title=Kashmir rappers battle to be heard|work=The Express Tribune|date=13 October 2013|accessdate=13 October 2013}}</ref> Taking his stage name from his place of birth- Kashmir, MC Kash is an independent musician based out of Srinagar.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-18|title=Hip-hop artists should cling to community vibe|url=https://thekashmirwalla.com/2021/02/hip-hop-artists-should-cling-to-community-vibe/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218115549/https://thekashmirwalla.com/2021/02/hip-hop-artists-should-cling-to-community-vibe/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 February 2021|access-date=2021-04-11|website=The Kashmir Walla|language=en-US}}</ref> Born in 1990, Kash belongs to a generation of [[Kashmiri Muslims]] that grew up surrounded by violence of the [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|insurgency]] in the region.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.101india.com/music/mc-kash-aka-roushan-illahi-hip-hop-homeland|title=MC Kash aka Roushan Illahi: Hip Hop Homeland|website=101 India|access-date=21 November 2020}}</ref> He has been called a Street Poet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westminster.ac.uk/events/kashmiri-politics-of-identity-art-resistance-ii|title=Kashmiri politics of identity/art/resistance II – Centre for the Study of Democracy – University of Westminster, London|website=westminster.ac.uk|access-date=14 May 2017}}</ref>

MC Kash burst on the scene with his first studio recorded single [[I Protest]] (Remembrance) in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11928968|title=MC Kash raps for Kashmir protest victims|work=BBC News |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=20 December 2010}}</ref>

==Biography==
He was born in 1990 [[Srinagar]] in the [[Indian state]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/04/25/524903956/a-new-generation-of-kashmir-rappers-vents-its-rage-in-the-valley|title=A New Generation of Kashmir Rappers Vents Its Rage in the Valley|publisher=NPR|access-date=14 May 2017}}</ref> His father is a Doctor and his mother is a teacher.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11928968|title=Kash's early life|work=BBC News |date=20 December 2010 |access-date=20 December 2010}}</ref> He is one of the notable alumni of [[Burn Hall School]]. Illahi completed his bachelor's degree in business administration from [[Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar|Islamia College of Science and Commerce]], Srinagar (2012). He did his Master's in Convergent Journalism, [[Central University of Kashmir]] (2015). Roushan Illahi is also a participant to Swedish Institute's South Asian leadership programme Young Connectors of the Future (2016).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sasnet.lu.se/article/successful-swedish-institute-leadership-programme-for-young-southasians|title=Successful Swedish Institute leadership programme for young Southasians|access-date=19 December 2017}}</ref> Kash says it was a track from [[Beastie Boys]] titled ‘[[No Sleep till Brooklyn]]’ that introduced him to hip hop music. He credits [[2pac Shakur]] and [[Eminem]] as major musical influences. He also mentions being inspired by the [[civil rights movement]] in the United States of America.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kashmirlife.net/rebel-republic-mc-kash-10506/2/|title=MC Kash Inspirations|date=19 November 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref>

Kash is considered as the person behind the inception of [[Hip hop|Hip Hop]] music in [[Indian Administered Kashmir]]. Many young and emerging rappers admire Kash and are inspired by his music. He is referred as a person who started Hip Hop Kashmir. Rapping has been popular in Kashmir since Kash became famous.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kashmirsolidarity.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/on-mc-kash/|title=Kashmir Solidarity Network, ON MC KASH|website=kashmirsolidarity.wordpress.com|date=15 November 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/valley-s-first-rapper-attracts-youth-by-singing-about-turmoil/story-KE3JVFXawpf0cCAG6jeiYK.html|title=Valley's first rapper attracts youth by singing about turmoil|website=hindustantimes.com|date=14 November 2010 |access-date=14 November 2010}}</ref> Kash got featured in multiple documentaries and one of the documentary ''MC Kash'' was nominated in Diversity in Cannes (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vimeo.com/198493215|title=MC Kash {{!}} Narrative, Documentary. Beyond Borders, Diversity in Cannes, 2018|date=7 January 2017 |via=Vimeo|access-date=7 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://worldfilmpresentation.com/film/mc-kash|title=Political strife turned Kashmiri Rapper MC Kash takes to the hip hop life|website=worldfilmpresentation.com|access-date=1 March 2019}}</ref> and he has been featured in other documentaries like ''Take It in Blood'', directed by Rana Ghose. The documentary follows MC Kash as he meets Kashmiri activist [[Parveena Ahanger]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/reel/811914/kashmir-documentary-take-it-in-blood-has-a-conversation-with-the-past-to-speak-to-the-present|title=Kashmir documentary 'Take It in Blood' has a conversation with the past to speak to the present|website=scroll.in|date=17 July 2016 |access-date=17 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3597098/|title=Take it in Blood|publisher=IMDb|access-date=11 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiearth.com/UserUploads/PDF/68c2c22b06c24360a679.pdf|title=Feature documentary on Kashmiri rapper MC Kash|website=indiearth.com}}</ref> Kash has also been featured the award-winning music documentary ''Soz: A Ballad of Maladies'' (2016).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6119224/|title=A Ballad of Maladies (2016)|publisher=IMDb|access-date=1 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/soz-a-ballad-of-maladies/|title=Soz: A Ballad of Maladies|website=greaterkashmir.com|access-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>

==Music career==
Illahi released his song [[I Protest|I Protest (Remembrance)]] during the [[2010 Kashmir unrest]] which was a series of violent clashes between the locals and security forces.<ref name="auto"/> The song became an "anthem of dissent."<ref name="auto"/> He has been an idol to many emerging [[rappers]] of [[Kashmir]]. MC Kash is considered as one of the most prominent face of protest music in South Asia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://homegrown.co.in/article/32002/10-activist-musicians-from-india-giving-voice-to-important-social-issues|title=10 Activist Musicians From India Giving Voice To Important Social Issues, MC Kash whose rap is the voice of local Kashmiris|website=homegrown.co.in|access-date=6 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-kashmir-rapper-uses-rhymes-to-protest-indian-rule-2010nov26-story.html|title=Kash chose to rap in english|website=sandiegouniontribune.com|access-date=23 November 2010}}</ref> with his rap being downloaded and seen as an act of protest by youth of [[Kashmir]]. Songs like ''Listen, My Brother, Rebel RebubliK : Liberation, Heart of a Rebel, Take it in Blood'' and many other songs were a part of MC Kash's Album Rebel RepubliK. He portrays the daily hardships of the people living in the valley.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armchairjournal.com/protest-music-a-lost-art/|title=Protest music: A lost art?|website=armchairjournal.com|date=2 February 2020 |access-date=29 February 2020}}</ref> In 2016 he collaborated with 101 India for the first ever Sufi rap music with the song hitting many views. In ''Like a Sufi'', "Sufi-ethnic rock meets hip hop in India's first ever Sufi rap. India's first Sufi Rap brings together Alif's signature Sufi ethnic rock sound with Kashmiri rapper MC Kash's strong lyrics and hip hop beats."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/music/kashmiri-rapper-who-shot-to-fame-during-2010-unrest-breaks-the-internet-with-sufi-rap/story-i89BNs2EdlzoRiaLemtbDO.html|title=Kashmiri rapper who shot to fame during 2010 unrest breaks the internet again|website=hindustantimes.com|date=25 June 2016 |access-date=26 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/a-kashmiri-rapper-and-a-band-come-together-to-give-sufi-music-a-twist/story-m5MI57NJhuXRPxTVoUQQTP.html|title=A Kashmiri rapper and a band come together to give Sufi music a twist|website=hindustantimes.com|date=8 July 2016 |access-date=9 July 2016}}</ref>

==Personal views==
MC Kash has been covered by [[BBC]] and [[Fox Life (Indian TV channel)|Fox traveller]] where he mostly spoke of Kashmir and the [[Human rights abuses in Kashmir]]. Explaining his choice of English language he says "English is a universal language. Kashmiris know how they have suffered. So if I went on to rap about it in Kashmiri, that would be useless".<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-kashmir-rapper-uses-rhymes-to-protest-indian-rule-2010nov26-story.html|title=Kash chose to Rap in english|website=sandiegouniontribune.com|access-date=23 November 2010}}</ref>

He relates [[Gaza City|Gaza]] and [[Kashmir]] saying, "Gaza and Kashmir are related. A stone relates us. Humiliation relates us. Occupation relates us. Anger relates us. The human rights violations relate us. [[Intifada]] relates us," he tells the [[BBC]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-11928968|title=MC Kash raps for Kashmir protest victims|date=20 December 2010 |publisher=BBC News|accessdate=20 September 2014}}</ref>

In late 2010 the Indian police raided his studio see if he was being backed by a [[Kashmir conflict|separatist]] or [[militant]]. MC Kash said in an interview that he is independent: "Nobody is paying me. Nobody told me to go sing about Kashmir."<ref name="auto1"/>

== Discography ==
# ''The Vault'' (2009–2012) MC Kash songs produced between 2009 & 2012.
# Anno Domini Beats, Southpaw, MC Kash.
# [[I Protest|I Protest (Remembrance)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mronline.org/2010/09/16/i-protest-remembrance/|title=I Protest (Remembrance) MR Online|website=mronline.org|date=16 September 2010 |access-date=16 September 2010}}</ref>
# Take It in Blood (2011)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sunday-guardian.com/young-restless/film-captures-mc-kash-and-tales-of-loss-from-the-valley|title=Film captures MC Kash and tales of loss from the Valley|website=sunday-guardian.com|access-date=23 March 2013}}</ref>
# The Bridge of No Return (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a47zWwJcu-Y|title=The Bridge of No Return (21st January, 1990) – MC Kash|date=20 January 2012 |via=YouTube|access-date=20 January 2012}}</ref>
# Beneath This Sky, (2011)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPiCzV7-irI|title=MC Kash – Beneath This Sky (Official video)|website=[[YouTube]] |date=23 July 2011 |access-date=23 July 2011}}</ref>
# One young Kashmir, (2011)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Rapper-MC-Kash-creates-storm-as-ldquoOne-Young-Kashmirrdquo-summit-ends/article14964026.ece|title=Rapper MC Kash creates storm as "One Young Kashmir" summit ends|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=27 March 2011 |access-date=27 March 2011}}</ref>
# ''Rebel Republik'' (2012) Debut MC Kash studio album<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/kashmiri-rapper-mc-kash-releases-debut-album/|title=Kashmiri Rapper MC Kash Releases Debut Album|date=23 November 2012 |access-date=23 November 2012}}</ref>
# I See a Massacre (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nul2DQAPQ_A|title=MC Kash – I see a Massacre (Prod by Southpaw)|date=31 March 2012 |via=YouTube|access-date=31 March 2012}}</ref>
# Listen my Brother (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRnU_TfsJlQ|title=MC Kash – Listen, My Brother. This song is from MC Kash's self produced debut album, Rebel RepubliK|date=24 November 2012 |via=YouTube|access-date=24 November 2012}}</ref>
# Family Portrait (2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-RO6J6WNAI|title=MC Kash – Family Portrait|date=14 July 2017 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
# ''Rebel Republik: Liberation'' (2013)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kashmirglobal.com/2013/02/22/mc-kash-releases-album-in-memory-of-maqbool-butt-in-kashmir.html|title=MC Kash releases album in memory of Maqbool Butt in Kashmir|website=kashmirglobal.com|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref>
# ''Orchestra of War,'' Beethoven Fur Elise Remix (2013).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://old.tehelka.com/when-you-take-away-peoples-right-there-can-be-no-peace-mc-kash-on-zubin-mehtas-concert/|title=Orchestra of war, When you take away people's right, there can be no peace': MC Kash on Zubin Mehta's concert|website=old.tehelka.com|access-date=6 September 2013}}</ref>
# ''Hukus Bukus'' (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://freepresskashmir.com/2019/04/05/8-kashmiri-songs-that-reflect-cycle-of-life-and-death-in-kashmir/|title=8 songs by Kashmiri artists that reflect the cycle of life and death in Kashmir|website=freepresskashmir.com|date=5 April 2019 |access-date=5 April 2019}}</ref> Flying Carpet Productions.
# Like A Sufi, 101India (2016)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.101india.com/music/sufi-mc-kash-alif-101-union|title=Like A Sufi – MC Kash & Alif – 101 Union|website=101india.com}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://reproduceartists.com/takeitinblood/ Take It In Blood: A Film About MC Kash]
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11928968 Article about MC Kash] on [[BBC News]]
* [https://www.voanews.com/a/kashmirs-young-generation-expresses-frustration-with-stalemate-106922954/130129.html Article about MC Kash] on [[Voice of America]]
* [https://rollingstoneindia.com/kashmiri-rapper-mc-kash-releases-debut-album/ Article about MC Kash] on [[Rolling Stone]]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kash, Mc}}
[[Category:1990 births]]
[[Category:People from Srinagar]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Kashmiri rappers]]
[[Category:Kashmiri Muslims]]
[[Category:21st-century rappers]]

MC Kash - Revision history

DesireeTietjen at 03:19, 10 February 2026