"Although artists from various genres have attempted to forge paths for themselves in the absence of a supportive ecosystem, hip-hop is the closest India has ever come to a self-sufficient "scene." Sure, rap made sporadic appearances in various pockets of Desi culture for decades, but it wasn't until the early 2010s that it reached the public on a massive scale."
"Western titans such as Eminem, 50 Cent and Lil Wayne had already cultivated a fanbase for that sound the decade prior, prompting homegrown MCs to start catering to that market pull. Personalities like Badshah and Raftaar were able to access millions through their active involvement in the film business, and others like Divine, Prabh Deep, Naezy and Emiway Bantai built their followings largely by slinging bars."
Rolling Loud debuts in Mumbai on November 22, bringing an international hip-hop festival to India. The country has struggled to develop a music industry independent of Bollywood and domestic counterparts, leaving most creatives unable to earn solely from songwriting and performance. The digital era increased exposure while streaming contributed to the devaluation of music. Hip-hop emerged as the closest path to a self-sufficient scene following the early 2010s. Western artists inspired homegrown MCs; figures like Badshah and Raftaar leveraged film ties and artists like Divine, Prabh Deep, Naezy and Emiway Bantai built street followings. Many artists continue to challenge power and social injustice. The two-day festival features 33 local, international, and hybrid acts, with ten recommended sets including Divine.
Read at Consequence
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]