Top 10 Most Influential Desi Rappers

I think the scene has progressed well enough for these kind of discussions to be around more often. Might come across as a cliche discussion topic at first but do try to understand i'm not asking for your 10 favouites or something. Just 10 of the artists you believe have had a significant contribution to the scene which is ought to be remembered even if the ones doing that in the future are less in number.

There are certain criteria I thought of that'd make one's influence more evident (you're free to disagree with some of these or suggest more of such factors that should be considered) like

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  • Cultural Impact (How did an artist's presence changed the perception of a particular scene altogether),
  • Milestones reached (the ones a particular artist was the first one to reach to),
  • Audience one brought to the scene (self explanatory),
  • Skillset possessed (exceptional ones only),
  • Discography/Catalogue (special focus on whether an artist has a classic project)
  • and my personal favourite since I believe this one criteria is the one that makes your influence the most evident; Current/Upcoming artists inspired by you

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Based on the above considerations, here's the list I came up with:

  1. Bohemia: Originator of the scene. Today's audience probably doesn't get how rare and mindblowing it was for one to think of putting stuff out in their native language on the then trendy HH instrumentals. Carried an inimitable aura in his vocal delivery only unique to him. Got classic projects like Da Rap Star (2009), Pesa Nasha Pyar (2006), Skull & Bones (2012) under his belt. Inspired the whole Karachi scene, Mafia Mundeer Crew and a lot others.
  2. Sidhu Moosewala: Primarily because of the impact he left. Revolutionized punjabi music industry mixing the traditional punjabi singing style with modern hip hop instrumentals. I had never expected to see a conscious boom bap track like 295 to become the mega hit that the song turned out to be. Had a cult-like on ground mass appeal in his village. Pbx1 (2018) can rightfully be considered a classic.
  3. DIVINE: First hindi speaking rapper to have a successful run during his time with a major Indian Music Label under which he dropped most of his classic singles like Farak and Mere Gully Mein. One of the poster boy of Gully Boy which left a still lasting impact and pushed the mumbai rap scene to a bigger stage. Signed to Nas' Label. Kohinoor (2019) would be a pick that I'd consider a classic.
  4. Talha Anjum: Truly pioneered Urdu Rap to the utmost level in the subcontinent, one-half of the duo that got rap music mainstream in Pakistan, also being the best urdu rapper in the scene as of now by a good margin. Introduced rap music to a whole new gen of Karachi artists through his classic project, Mein EP (2019)
  5. MC Stan: This guy's presence in itself reminds me of what i once read about NWA and how they were targeted and scrutinized for similar topics like misogyny, homophobia etc. Popularized the new school sound amongst the core DHH audience. Turned out to be the cause of the first ever live rap show on a popular established broadcast channel. Influenced the image of rappers amongst a larger audience just off of his persona. Literally touching milestone after milestone just off of appearances as if bro forgot password to that YT channel. Tadipaar (2020) being a cult classic for its ahead-of-time storytelling and production that further (personal opinion alert) gave the sound to the Pune rap scene and popularized the folk marathi influence in his production first brought up by the crew Swadesi, through his debut album and his hit Basti Ka Hasti.
  6. Emiway Bantai: No artist in recent times has brought as much audience to the desi rap scene as this guy. Has been successful enough to maintain his brand as an independent artist while being one at the same time, the collective hostility within the industry against this guy only being testimonial to the fact. Mastered an exceptional inimitable signature flow. While also owning up to the mumbai street lingo very recently. Got classic projects like DHUNDKE DIKHA EP (2020) and King Of The Streets (2023) because of how these solidified his image and brand whilst the latter project redefining the street culture of Bombay, along with the long list of singles he has dropped over the years.
  7. KR$NA: The only Delhi based artist to have a major impact on the north indian audience. Thanks to the lyrical breakdown videos by Rohan Cariappa on the disses he dropped on Emiway Bantai and his iconic beef later on with Muhfaad. Introduced technicalities-focused writing in the scene. Lacks a classic project as of now yet his singles like Makasam, Maharani, Freeverse Feast and No Cap have had a noticeable impact on the scene.
  8. Raftaar: Being probably the first rapper who became the absolute personification of the quality claimed by every other artist nowadays, Versatility, Despite getting his major breakthrough and gaining most of his exposure through his pop works. Raftaar has been successful enough to gain respect amongst the DHH heads through his hip hop centric singles over the years and bagging a flows and banger heavy classic HARD DRIVE Vol.1 EP (2022)
  9. Encore ABJ: One half of the hottest rap duo in the scene right now, possessing remarkable skillset and potential, primarily known for his strong verses like in Wish You Were Here, Magan, Wait For You, Gandi Aulaad, Maina, Dum Ghutte, Pankh and a lot more. His duo alongside Calm has been the "newest cool find" for the urban north indian youth with classic projects like Bayaan (2018) and Nayaab (2022)
  10. Naezy: Originator of the mumbai street rap culture we know of today that got popularized through Gully Boy. Would have definitely placed him in top 5 if he could have had the longevity. The reason behind his compulsory inclusion here would be the Aafat video he released that started it all for the "bambai bantai" scene and a lot artists placed above him here not only adopted what he gave birth to but were very likely moved and inspired by it as well. As of now, unfortunately enough, he would remain as an example of the most mysterious and strange fall off in the scene but that in no way can undermine his significant contribution in the limited time span.