These 8 Producers Are Changing the Sound in Indian Hip Hop

Collage of rising Indian hip hop producers featured in Desi Renaissance’s list, including Bharg Kale, Dox, Deetocx, and Nikhil-Swapnil

There are a lot of hidden gem artists in the Indian hip hop (DHH) scene — but what happens when some of them aren’t even considered artists by many?

That’s the story of music producers in this space.

Most of us don’t even mention them when we talk about the best artists in Indian hip hop. Yet these underrated music producers are often the quiet architects of sound: shaping tracks, defining genres, and pushing sonic boundaries — while rarely getting the recognition they deserve.

In this list, we spotlight 8 producers to watch in Indian hip hop.

Some are up-and-coming beatmakers, while others have already carved their names into the list of top producers in the DHH scene. But wherever they are in their journey, they all share one thing: they’re crafting powerful music and building artistic identities that deserve more attention.

  1. Bharg

Bharg Kale is one of my favourite singer-songwriters and producers in the scene right now. He’s not just a master of production, he’s a full-spectrum artist.

We’ve been following his journey since he dropped the 2021 collab album Sab Chahiye with Rawal, and the quality has only gone up since then. His wide range of influences lets him craft a sound that connects with both the masses and the more creative, experimental corners of the scene. There’s depth in his sound, but also accessibility — a rare balance.

If you haven’t heard him yet, start with: “Kush Reh Tu,” “Roshni,” and “Yeh Zindagi Hai” from King’s EP Shayad Koi Na Sune. Then dig into Sab Chahiye and Nikamma to really understand him as an artist.

  1. Deetocx

Deetocx first caught our attention with the track “Jawab De” from Farhan Khan’s album Alif Laila (Part 2), and we’ve been paying attention ever since. He’s not just an incredible producer, but also a damn good writer. Don’t believe us? Listen to “Worth” and “4th June.”

Even though he got some well-deserved limelight this year, Deetocx has been putting in the work for years. His first release dates back to 2020, and a deep dive into his discography shows just how far he’s come — and how consistent he’s been.

If you haven’t heard him yet, start with: “Ghar,” “Jawab De,” and “4th June.”

And like we said in our Alif Laila review, if Mr. Doss is the backbone of that project, Deetocx is the spinal cord, holding it all together with precision and soul.

  1. Vedang

Vedang has been producing for over a decade and is known for his incredible use of samples. From the very start, he’s been crafting a sound that stands apart — textured, distinct, and deeply musical.

His work with Shreyas is especially powerful. The two consistently create magic together, easily one of the most dynamic duos in the scene.

It’s also great to see Marathi hip hop finally getting the spotlight it deserves, with artists like Shreyas leading the charge. As this movement grows, more people will start to recognise Vedang’s quiet brilliance behind the boards.

If you haven’t heard him yet, start with: “Uddhat,” “Aar Paar,” and “Raaz.” Then check out Stop Bullshittin’ The Fans Vol. 1: a collab project with Shreyas that’s a masterclass in chemistry.

  1. Nikhil-Swapnil

Nikhil-Swapnil are a duo quietly crafting some of the finest production in the scene, with a real knack for creating beautiful, polished commercial tracks.

They first caught our attention on Panther’s project Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki — especially on the track “Jaani,” which is just incredibly well-produced. And then came “Parinda” from Flying Towards The City, a full-on masterpiece.

What sets them apart is their ability to elevate a song with just the right touch. They know exactly when to add subtle elements — never overdoing it or overcrowding the mix. That level of restraint and precision is rare.

If you haven’t heard them yet, start with: “Jaani,” “Parinda,” and “Rolling.”

  1. Fatboi Raccoon

There’s hardly anything Fatboi Raccoon tries that he doesn’t nail. He’s easily one of the most versatile producers in the scene right now. I first came across his work on Gravity’s Walls of Jericho, and I was immediately impressed.

Since then, he’s been part of a string of incredible singles and projects — consistently elevating the sound and adding a bit of magic to everything he touches.

Once you dive into his discography, you’ll be surprised by the range of artists and styles he’s worked with, and how seamlessly he adapts to each of them. That’s not easy, but Fatboi makes it look effortless.

If you haven’t heard him yet, start with: “Paapam,” “Heroine,” and “Fangirl.”

  1. Dox

We love producers who don’t just make great singles but can elevate an entire project — and Mandeep, aka Dox, has done that multiple times.

Whether it’s Jaskaran’s Divine Violence or his own stellar EP One from the Crowd, Dox brings a rare vision and clarity to everything he touches. He doesn’t just produce, he builds.

He’s already made a strong mark in the underground, but honestly, we feel he’s just getting started. A few years down the line, if he keeps delivering projects like this, Dox will be in the conversation for top 5 producers in Indian hip hop — no question.

He’s not just a producer; he’s a true collaborator. And that mindset — of building full albums, not just tracks — is quietly shaping a discography that’s going to age beautifully.

If you haven’t heard him yet, start with: “4’s Up,” “Ranjha,” and “Mausambi Drip.”

  1. Artemis

One of the youngest producers on this list, Artemis is already pushing boundaries. He’s dropped two projects — Pranamya and Equinox — with his debut EP set to release later this month.

He’s making some of the most unique and experimental sounds in the scene right now. Unfortunately, the reality of the Indian music landscape is this: great producers often go unnoticed unless they’re working with big-name artists, and that’s the only thing holding him back at the moment.

But trust us — it’s only a matter of time before he starts landing those collaborations. And when that happens, he’ll get the recognition he deserves. We’re betting on Artemis for the long run.

If you haven’t heard him yet, start with: “UFO,” “Banana,” and “Shot Me Down.”

  1. H.H.B

Hip Hop Bhaiya (H.H.B) is an incredible producer, and probably the longest-running name on this list. The only thing that’s held him back a bit over the years is consistency. But when he does show up on a track, it’s nothing short of magic.

One of my favourite productions from him was on a track from Poetik Justis’s EP Karma. Unfortunately, it’s not on streaming platforms anymore. But his recent work on Kala Pani is more than enough proof of how skilled H.H.B really is behind the boards.

If you haven’t heard him yet, start with: “Phone Go Bling,” “Chalega,” and “Paisa.”

These eight producers aren’t just making beats, they’re shaping the future of Indian hip hop.

Whether underground or on the rise, they each bring something unique to the scene.

If you care about the sound of the culture, don’t sleep on them. Dive into their catalogs, support their work, and keep your ears open: the next wave is already here.

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