Gully rap is an emerging genre of hip-hop music that originated from Mumbai.[1] It has since spread across India.[2] Inspired by American rappers like Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G. and Nas, the music discusses the street life in distinct Hindu-Urdu rhythm and cadence.[1][3] Gully means "narrow lane" in Hindi.[1][4] DIVINE and Naezy are artists that are considered at the forefront of the genre.[1] It stands in contrast to mainstream desi rap or Bollywood which focus on more superficial aspects of life (e.g. partying, alcohol).[1][3] By contrast, gully rap has a socio-political emphasis.[5]
Gully rap has been an outlet for underprivileged youth and has been used as a tool for activism.[5] Incorporating the fundamentals of US hip-hop, the rappers were able to express their emotions regarding their daily lives and frustrations.[5] They were able to do so with minimal costs.[5] No formal training is required.[5] Chinese smartphones, cheap data packages, and free online platforms like YouTube have been used.[3][5] This represents the Indian philosophy of jugaad.[6] Although some artists are signed to music labels, the majority are independent.[3] They are primary promoted through word of mouth.[3] Rappers set up a microphone and speakers on the street and rap for free to audiences.[3]
Hip-hop culture had been present in Mumbai for over decade before gully rap became popular.[2] The rap started off as a derivative of American rap, but within a few years became original and become mainstream.[2] Rappers would post rap battles on a social media networking site called Orkut, which is now defunct.[2] Originally, the language was English, but then a turning point occurred when the rappers used local Bambaiyya slang as well other languages (e.g. Hindi, Marathi, Tamil or Konkani).[2] In 2015, "Mere Gully Mein" performed by DIVINE featuring Naezy was released, and its success marked the first time the genre hit the mainstream.[2]
The 2019 Bollywood film Gully Boy tracks the story of an aspiring rapper from the slums of Mumbai.[7] VICE made a documentary called Kya Bolta Bantai discussing the emergence of the genre.[2][8] Another documentary called Gully Life follows the rags-to-riches story of DIVINE.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Focus: Popular Music in Contemporary India{{#if:Sarrazin|, Sarrazin}. Taylor & Francis(2019). ISBN 978-0-429-99931-4
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 The Rise of Street Rap in India. VICE(2019-01-17). Retrieved 2022-09-12.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Poverty, corruption and crime: how India's 'gully rap' tells story of real life, Ellis-Petersen, Hannah. the Guardian(2016-05-16). Retrieved 2022-09-12.
- ↑ Gully rap finds its rhythm. The Hindu(28 July 2024). Retrieved 31 January 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Why gully rap is liberating India's youth, Pool, Ali Bharmal/Red Bull Content. Red Bull(2019-07-25). Retrieved 2022-09-12.
- ↑ Music Business Research{{#if:Daga|, Daga}. Springer International Publishing(2022). ISBN 978-3-031-09531-3
- ↑ Rethinking the Music Business: Music Contexts, Rights, Data, and COVID-19{{#if:Morrow|, Morrow}. Springer International Publishing(2022). ISBN 978-3-031-09532-0
- ↑ Documentary on Gully Rap titled Kya Bolta Bantai released online, Indulge, Team. The New Indian Express(2018-06-20). Retrieved 2022-09-12.