7 Indian Hip-Hop Artists Ready to Blow Up
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by Rahul
In music, talent doesn’t always guarantee recognition. Some artists spend years — even a decade — honing their craft, influencing culture, and inspiring peers, yet still remain under the radar. Others burst onto the scene with fresh energy, bringing sounds that feel ahead of their time.
This list includes seven Indian artists who are ready to blow up, not because they’ve followed trends, but because they’ve built something real.
Their Spotify monthly listener counts may still be under 110,000, but their music stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the genre’s best.
We’ve included those numbers deliberately: because in a culture obsessed with views, likes, and follower counts, it’s easy to confuse virality with value. But numbers don’t always reflect the quality of the art, just the timing of the spotlight.
Also, while most of the names on this list are rappers, we’ve made one exception for Aksomaniac — an R&B artist whose work is deeply rooted in hip hop’s sonic and cultural language. His inclusion speaks to how the genre is evolving, and how artists outside the traditional rap mold are still helping shape its future.
1) SickLot (53k monthly listeners | Noida)
If there’s one artist in the scene we’d bet everything on for long-term success, it’s SickLot.
At just 18, he’s already one of the most versatile and polished voices in Desi hip hop. Crazy as it sounds, he dropped his first album at the age of 14, and he’s only gotten sharper since.
His collaborative album Agyakaari with Parv is a must-listen for anyone discovering his catalog, blending introspective writing with confident delivery.
And his recent run of singles showcases just how wide his range is — from the groovy, hard-hitting Gustakhi with Badshah and Parv Music, to the high-energy yet melodic Yeezys featuring Hardbone, and the emotionally vulnerable Tu Hi Hai with Panther and Avni.
SickLot isn’t just a young talent, he’s already operating at a level that many veterans aspire to.
2) Hardbone boy (108.7k monthly listeners | Jaipur)
There’s a wave of talent rising from India’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and Hardbone is one of its boldest voices. While he’s known for his high-speed chopper flows, what truly sets him apart is his honesty, vision, and the thought he puts into every project.
His 2023 album Deepak is Dead is a perfect entry point — a concept-driven project that showcases both his technical ability and artistic depth.
Other standout tracks include Nadi, Mehraru, and Dhappa!, as well as his EPs Sandesha and Parinaam, each of which feels carefully crafted rather than rushed.
His recent single Dua with Sinash, released via Gully Gang Records, marks a full-circle moment — especially since Divine was the artist who first inspired Hardbone to rap.
From quiet beginnings to label-backed releases, Hardbone’s journey is only just beginning — and his growing catalog proves he’s here for the long haul.
3) Shikriwal (16.2k monthly listeners | Bihar)
Regional rap still doesn’t get the mainstream recognition it deserves in India — but when Bhojpuri hip hop eventually breaks through, Shikriwal will be the artist people hold up the way hip hop fans speak of Kendrick Lamar or J. Cole.
His 18‑track album Natya Alaapika is a landmark project: cinematic, culturally rooted, and emotionally raw. It blends Bhojpuri storytelling with experimental production, creating a meditative journey that rewards focused listening.
His sound is rooted in his Bhojpuri identity, but layered with a vulnerability and thematic depth that is increasingly rare. He isn’t just making tracks, he’s building a cultural legacy for regional hip hop in India.
4) Aksomaniac (33k monthly listeners | Kerala)
While not a rapper, Aksomaniac earns his place on this list through his ties to hip hop culture and the wider Desi indie scene.
Recognised for pioneering Malayalam R&B as a brand, he blends smooth, moody vocals with production choices often rooted in hip hop’s rhythm and texture.
Every track is sonically elevated by Circle Tone, who mixes and masters all his songs — giving them the polished, immersive quality that defines Aksomaniac’s sound. This partnership has helped create a signature style with crossover appeal that resonates with both R&B purists and rap fans.
He’s one of those rare artists whose music connects with both critics and casual listeners, and if he continues on his current creative path, he has the potential to be a massive star. In a landscape where genre boundaries are increasingly blurred, Aksomaniac stands out as a true bridge between worlds.
If you’re new to his music, start with Paapam, Her Vacation, Kanmashi, and Explained Twice.
5) Boyblanck (51.3k monthly listeners | Noida)
Old-school hip hop has seen its moment in the Indian mainstream — but the new school is still waiting for its breakthrough. If there’s one trap artist poised to change that, it’s Boyblanck.
He’s crafting some of the freshest, most distinct sounds in the scene, and doing it with relentless consistency. 2024 felt like a turning point — he dropped four projects and several standout singles, each pushing his sonic identity further. His catalogue is already impressive and keeps getting sharper with every release.
Whether you’re into wavy trap, melodic rap, or hard-hitting verses over ambient production, Boyblanck is building a sound that could redefine what mainstream Desi hip hop sounds like.
Some of our favourite tracks from Boyblanck include Bumble Bee, Anokha, A Pastor in Italy, and Not City — each one showcasing a different side of his evolving sound.
6) Reble (27.8k monthly listeners | Meghalaya)
People often say there’s a lack of female representation in Indian hip hop — but artists like Reble prove the talent is right here, just not celebrated enough.
If you value lyricism and presence, she’s impossible to ignore. From her 2022 EP Entropy to her standout verse on Only Uparwala Can Judge Me with Dhanji, Reble has consistently delivered razor-sharp bars while staying true to her sound.
But it’s not just her pen, she understands visual identity better than most. Just watch Terror to see how dialed-in her aesthetic is.
And perhaps most impressively, she’s an incredible live performer — something that’s still rare in the Indian scene. Reble isn’t just one of the best female voices in Desi hip hop — she’s one of the best, period.
7) Young Aytee (47.1k monthly listeners | Dehradun)
If there’s one artist on this list built to soundtrack good times, it’s Young Aytee. With his tagline “FTB” (For The Bawas), he’s crafted a brand and sound that’s effortlessly fun, wavy, and instantly replayable.
While some might think he blew up overnight in the underground, Aytee’s been grinding since 2020 — building his sound brick by brick.
2025 marked a major turning point with his signing to Mass Appeal India, and with label support now behind him, it feels like only a matter of time before he reaches a much wider audience.
His music is made for the masses, but with style and flair that doesn’t compromise his originality. Whether it’s a party anthem or a laid-back flex, Young Aytee knows how to make you move.
These are the seven artists we’d sign first if we were starting a label today. Their numbers might be modest for now, but their vision is anything but small, and their artistry is already pushing the sound of Indian hip hop forward.
It’s worth noting that this list focuses on artists who’ve already laid a foundation with their work — they’re not the most raw or unknown names in the scene.
In the future, we’ll spotlight another set of emerging voices: those under 5,000 monthly listeners, still in their early stages but full of potential. With the right support, they could be the next stars to watch.
But for now, dive into the work of these seven — artists we believe are destined to become some of the biggest names in the game over the next few years.
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