Page 19 - Rolling Stone - India (December 2019)

Dee MC
Ahead of the Haq Se by Supari Studios in associ-
Hindustan concert on ation with Red Bull Media
November 14th at Mum- House, showcases the rise
bai’s Famous Studios which of Divine. At the start of the
featured some of the coun- year, Vice released Kya Bolta
try’s best hip-hop artists, Bantai? which chronicled the
Nirmika Singh, Executive rise of Mumbai rap.
Editor, Rolling Stone India,
said, “There’s so much more LABELS:
to Indian hip-hop than Hip-hop labels spearheading
what we have seen so far, the genre include New Del-
and with Haq Se Hindu- hi-based Azadi Records who
stan we hope to present the have been pushing the bound-
incredible multi-cultural aries in what they do as well as
expressions India has to the recently formed Gully Gang
offer across all five elements Entertainment who not only
in hip-hop: from rapping, function as a label but double
b-boying, beatboxing, DJing up as recruiters for up and
and graffiti. There’s no coming hip-hop talent. Univer-
denying India is witnessing sal Music India and American
a mini-revolution in hip-hop media platform Mass Appeal
— the established artists are also joined hands earlier this
consolidating their influence year to launch a brand new
while the emerging talent Indian hip-hop label, Mass
is claiming their part.” Appeal India. Mass Appeal is
New Delhi producer Sajeel an independent hip-hop label
Kapoor aka Sez On The co-led by American hip-hop
Beat adds, “We didn’t think legend Nas and is known for
hip-hop in India would releasing albums by some of
reach this stage so soon.” the most popular artists in
Here’s a look at some of the American hip-hop including
milestones achieved by Indian Run the Jewels and the late J
hip-hop this past year: Dilla. Labels such as IncInk
Records and Big Bang Music,
MUSIC: Awaaz Records and Desi Hip
The poster boy of Indian Hop are also leading the way
hip-hop, Divine, dropped his with hip-hop artists.
much-awaited eight-track this year with the release of New Delhi rapper Prabh free-flowing “Code Mumbai
debut album Kohinoor last his second solo album Under- Deep’s “Maya” which came 17” and Mumbai MC Tienas’ LIVE SHOWS:
month. The record features God. Ace also took things a out this past April off his debut album O. Indo-Ameri- On the live front Azadi Re-
slick bass lines, fiery verses step further with this album EP KING is a mellow and emo- can rapper Raja Kumari has cords have been programming
by Divine as well as a hip-hop as he dipped his toes in tive song that leans almost to- also contributed with releases gigs across the country such
skit by American rapper Nas. everything from jazz to metal, wards experimental jazz meets of her own such as “Kaun Hai as New Delhi hip-hop duo
In March Naezy put out his pop and trap as well as EDM. hip-hop and features bassist Tu” featuring Shah Rule and Seedhe Maut’s Shaktimaan
first release since 2017 in Versatile rapper Enkore had Harshit Misra aka Hashbass “Karma” off her EP Blood- Tour. Beverage brand Bira 91
the form of the mesmerizing two singles come out via and keyboardist Archit Anand line. Also out recently is also put together a massive
“Aafat Waapas” in which he’s Zoom Studios which included while Prabh Deep’s heavy Mumbai rapper Dee MC’s show at Mumbai’s Richardson
spitting lively and quick-fire the bass-heavy “Dheet” and deliver makes for a fine listen. debut album Dee=MC². and Cruddas for the music
rhymes to a pulsating beat the smooth “Solo.” Mum- In a bid to raise voices during launch of Gully Boy. Gig
by producer Phenom. The bai rap crew Dopeadelicz’s the #SaveAarey campaign, FILMS: series United We Groove have
rapper also recounts his track “Aai Shapath Saheb Mumbai hip-hop crew Swade- Another big milestone that also begun adding hip-hop
collaboration with Nas (the Me Navtho” is a tell-all song si released “The Warli Revolt” has pushed hip-hop to the artists to their lineup. Inter-
track “NY Se Mumbai” which that came out in May. Rapper which has gone on to become forefront is the Zoya Akthar national artists such as Wiz
also featured fellow rap- Stony Psyko spills the beans of the country’s most hard-hitting directed Bollywood block- Khalifa and Jaden Smith also
per Divine and actor Ranveer being caught by the Mumbai protest song. buster Gully Boy starring graced our shores earlier this
Singh). “Yaar, abhi toh humne police and getting through to More tracks making the ace actor Ranveer Singh year and fans of the genre can
theek se shuru bhi nahi kiya them with his dope rhymes rounds this year include rap which brought the culture of also look forward to American
hai (We haven’t even properly and also spits bars about his crew 7Bantai’Z’s explosive India’s underground hip-hop hip-hop duo EarthGang at
started yet,)” he says. real name, his religion and “Kitaab,” Bengaluru hip- scene to mainstream screens. the upcoming Bacardi NH7
Seasoned Mumbai hip-hop- address while the track is led hop artist Gubbi’s scorching Also, a documentary on Weekender in Pune between
per Ace made his major-label by a smooth beat underlined “Punaraagamana” as well Divine titled Gully Life – The November 29th till December
debut via Zee Music Company with slick treble piano notes. as MC Altaf’s booming and Story of Divine produced 1st. DAVID BRITTO

December 2019 | Rolling Stone | 19