7 Indian Hip-Hop DJs Who Shaped the Culture

by Rahul
September 30, 2025

In the early days of hip-hop, DJs were the real heroes.

Before rappers became the face of the culture, it was the DJs who moved the crowd, cut the records, and built the energy that birthed a global movement.

Somewhere along the way, as rap became the industry’s main attraction, DJs faded into the background. But the truth is—they’ve always been the backbone of the scene. They’re the ones who take the music from the studio to the clubs, from the underground to the masses.

India has had its share of hip-hop DJs who’ve given sweat and blood to this culture—pushing sounds, breaking artists, and making sure hip-hop’s voice is heard loud and clear.

This list is our small homage to those who’ve carried the torch.

1) DJ Proof

Vinayak Pasula—better known as DJ Proof—has been behind the decks in Mumbai for over 15 years.

Most hip-hop fans recognize him as Divine’s official DJ, holding it down on some of the biggest stages in India. But Proof’s legacy runs deeper. Long before teaming up with Divine, he was rocking full houses across the country, building a reputation for turning live sets into unforgettable experiences.

In 2018, alongside DJ Sa, he dropped the first-ever Uncensored Mixtape on Livemixtapes.com—a project that bridged established names with upcoming talent, giving Indian hip-hop one of its earliest global mixtape moments.

Today, Proof is channeling his energy into community-building. His Sounds of Proof events aren’t just about hype; they’re about real connection, collaboration, and culture—exactly what hip-hop needs to thrive.

We salute him for staying true to the craft, and we’re excited to see where he takes it next.

And if Proof shows how far DJs can take the culture, we have to talk about the man who inspired him in the first place.

2) DJ Sa

Sanket Arjunwade—better known as DJ Sa—is the OG before anyone was even using the word “OG” in Indian hip-hop. Few DJs have had as much influence on the culture here as him.

If you were a hip-hop DJ starting out in the 2000s, chances are you looked up to DJ Sa. DJ Proof himself has spoken about beginning as a fan, learning the tricks of the trade just by being around him. Sa’s role as a mentor in the scene—whether intentional or not—has shaped more careers than we can probably count.

But his legacy doesn’t stop at the decks. Sa has also made his mark as a producer, crafting iconic tracks like Nalla Freestyle, Taakat, and Chaapte Reh. That dual role—as both a DJ and a creator—cements him as one of the true pillars of Indian hip-hop.

If Sa set the standard in Mumbai, Kan-I was pushing boundaries from Hyderabad—taking the craft global before many even believed it was possible.

3) DJ Kan-I

Kannabhiram Bellumkonda—better known as DJ Kan-I—first stepped behind the decks in 2000. Back then he went by the name DJ Kanna, until 2012 when he reinvented himself as DJ Kan-I.

A pioneer of turntablism in India, Kan-I is often hailed as one of the earliest and greatest hip-hop DJs to come out of the country. He was one of the first Indian hip-hop DJs to tour internationally, putting the culture on a global stage when very few were paying attention to what was happening here.

Originally from Hyderabad, Kan-I has not only won over audiences at home but also caught the attention of critics and enthusiasts worldwide—proving that Indian hip-hop deserved its spot in the global conversation.

His passion for DJing was so strong that he gave up his studies at the age of 16 to pursue the craft full-time. That leap of faith set the tone for his career: fearless, committed, and rooted in love for the art.

And while Kan-I broke ground as an international pioneer, DJ Spindoctor showed how to carry that legacy into the mainstream, blending turntablism with brand power.

4) The Spindoctor

Sanjay Meriya—better known as DJ Spindoctor—isn’t just a great DJ, he’s a master turntablist who’s managed to build a strong brand around himself. In a scene where many talented DJs stay behind the curtain, Spindoctor stands out for his ability to combine artistry with business savvy.

What makes him unique is the way he’s marketed himself without ever compromising the craft. His technical skill is undeniable—turntablism is one of the hardest elements of hip-hop to master, and also one of the most endangered. Yet, Spindoctor has kept the tradition alive at the mainstream level, showing newer audiences what it really means to rock the decks.

In many ways, he represents the future of hip-hop DJs in India: not just performers, but complete artists who know how to protect the culture while growing their own platform.

And while the men dominated the early years, Ishani Majumdar stepped up to prove that the decks weren’t just a boys’ club.

5) Ishani Majumdar

Ishani Majumdar—better known as DJ Ishani—is one of the earliest female hip-hop DJs in India, starting her journey in the mid-2000s.

By 2007, she had already secured residencies at the iconic Zenzi Bandra and Zenzi Mills in Mumbai, quickly earning a reputation for her sharp selections and deep love for hip-hop culture. Originally from New Delhi but now based in Mumbai, she has spent years actively promoting hip-hop across the country, both in clubs and through events.

In 2014, alongside Bobkat of Bombay Bassment, Ishani launched Hip Hop Ain’t Dead—a weekly hip-hop night that continues to run strong and stands as one of the longest-running events of its kind in India.

From there, a new wave emerged—DJs who carried forward the culture with fresh energy. One of the loudest voices in that wave was OG Shez.

6) OG Shez

OG Shez (Shezi) is a Mumbai-based DJ who broke into the city’s hip-hop circuit around 2016, and has since become a go-to name for hip-hop, R&B, Afro-house, Jersey Club, and bass-driven sets.

Originally from Dubai, Shez grew up around the glamour industry—her father worked in nightlife and her mother was a ramp model—giving her an early feel for club culture and the energy of the dancefloor.

Shez’s résumé reads like a timeline of Indian hip-hop’s biggest stages. From spinning at Lakmé Fashion Week for three consecutive seasons (2016–2018), to making her Boiler Room debut at True Music Studios in 2023, to tearing it down at Mixmag Lab Goa with IncInk Records—she’s consistently been where the culture moves forward.

Along the way, she’s shared decks in support of heavyweights like 50 Cent, DIVINE, Nucleya, Jyoty, Arthi Nachiappan, and Flowdan. While her palette spans genres, her place in Mumbai’s hip-hop nightlife is undeniable.

And then there’s Su Real—a DJ who reminded India that hip-hop is bigger than just rap.

7) Su Real

Suhrid Manchanda—better known as Su Real—came up in Delhi’s underground around the early 2010s, bringing hip-hop’s turn-up energy to nights at TLR in Hauz Khas. Where most DJs leaned on commercial hits, Su Real pushed trap, dancehall, and global bass—sounds that are all part of hip-hop’s extended family.

Albums like Trapistan (2014) and Twerkistan (2016) cemented his role as one of the first in India to put trap culture on the map. And while his sets often veered into global rhythms, the backbone was always hip-hop—heavy 808s, rapid hi-hats, and that bass-driven chaos hip-hop lives on.

Over the years, he’s shared stages with Major Lazer, Skrillex, and Nucleya, and in 2018 he won Amazon Prime’s The Remix. Su Real isn’t a hip-hop DJ in the classic “backing an MC” sense, but he’s proof that hip-hop evolves. By fusing rap’s raw energy with global basslines, he opened new doors for what Indian hip-hop can sound like.

This list is far from complete—across India, countless DJs are still carrying hip-hop forward in clubs, festivals, and underground spaces. They may not always get the spotlight, but without them, the culture wouldn’t move.

So the next time you’re at a show, remember: the DJ isn’t just playing tracks—they’re shaping the energy, protecting the culture, and making sure hip-hop stays alive with the masses.