The Myth of “No Women in Desi Hip Hop”
We hear it all the time: “There are no good women rappers in Desi Hip Hop.” But is that really true?
Or are we simply ignoring the many femcees from the South Asian diaspora who’ve been putting in consistent, high-quality work for years?
Take Reble from Shillong as an example. Since 2019, she’s been dropping bangers and carving her own lane as one of the finest emcees in the scene — yet her name still doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.
Or Tracy De Sà, a Goan rapper based in France. With three albums to her name, she’s a powerhouse. Her last album stands out as our favorite, opening with Brown and Proud — an anthem for brown identity that resonates deeply with the diaspora.
These are just two examples. The truth is, there are many more women in the scene, creating unique and fresh music. And they bring something that a lot of us men can’t: a perspective rooted in women’s lived realities.
Spotlight: Suski’s Bold Feminist Anthem
That’s exactly what Suski, a Nepali rapper based in Hong Kong, has delivered with her latest single Nari Nai Durbar Ho (“The Woman is the Palace”).
The track is a bold feminist anthem that blends rap, Nepali folk, and Indian classical music. Not only is the song sonically powerful, but its one-take video is executed so seamlessly that it’s hard to believe it wasn’t stitched together. The visuals challenge narrow beauty standards in pop culture while celebrating women’s strength.
Sampling Melwa Devi Gurung — Nepal’s first recorded female singer — Suski grounds her art in history while speaking to her own experience navigating a male-dominated industry. The result is both defiant and deeply moving.
And while Suski is the latest voice demanding attention, she’s not alone.
More Femcees You Shouldn’t Ignore
Suski’s Nari Nai Durbar Ho is a reminder that women’s voices in Desi Hip Hop have always been here: often overlooked, but consistently powerful.
If you’re wondering where to start, here are a few more femcees you should have on your radar:
1) Saniya MQ
We first saw her live at Shaikhspeare’s DON Lyf album launch in Mumbai, and her writing floored us.
Saniya uses her pen to tackle issues many shy away from, making her one of the most urgent voices in India right now. Start with Baccha Kisko Bol Raha Hai, Awaaz Karo, and Majra.
2) Meba Ofilia
From Shillong, Meba is a voice we don’t hear nearly enough.
Her 2022 project Untitled.shg remains one of the strongest full-length releases by an Indian woman rapper, showcasing her skill and songwriting range.
3) Agsy
Arguably the most visible name among women in Indian hip hop today, Agsy’s Hindi rap gives her reach in a scene still dominated by the language.
Beyond numbers, she’s been steadily putting out quality work — her recent track Jatt Baija is a perfect example of her sharp delivery and control.
4) Irfana
Based in Kodaikanal, Irfana first caught our attention on Flyboy S’s debut album, where her verse stood out immediately.
Her discography spans themes of love, sensuality, feminism, and anti-fascism — making her one of the most compelling voices in the South Asian underground.
These artists — along with Reble, Tracy De Sà, and now Suski — prove that the claim “there are no women in Desi Hip Hop” is lazy at best, and blind at worst.
The music is out there, It always has been. We just have to listen.
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