Keep the Gullies Grooving

With Bollywood at its doorstep, 2019 could be Indian hip hop’s biggest year yet. But it could also be its last.

Dharavi Rap by Suzanne Dias
Dharavi Rap by Suzanne Dias

Krish Raghav

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February 14, 2019

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7 min

There's a curious paradox at the heart of Indian hip hop in 2019: the local hip hop scene has undeniably arrived, yet it’s still finding its voice.

In less than a decade, hip hop has transformed from being a joke to a poor imitation to a massive cultural phenomenon. Desi rap has infiltrated Bollywood, cricket, and religion. Yet, the intense hype and money swirls around a scene that has yet to build enough resilience and community, calling into question its lasting power.

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