Desi Hip-Hop has gone from the gully to the global stage, and there’s no hitting the brakes! Over the past decade, this genre has grabbed mainstream attention, thanks to social media powerhouses like Instagram and YouTube, along with reality TV shows that have turned underground rappers into household names. However, it’s safe to say that the field is over-saturated with many, albeit talented, male rappers, especially when it comes to popularity contests. With the rise in the popularity of the genre as a whole, the praise and love for top Indian female rappers have been only on the rise.
While Kendrick Lamar and Doechii take on the mantle for the world hip-hop right now, let’s have a look at some of the best female rappers in India who have either established their stature in the scene or are making people sway on their beats as the upcoming promising artists.
The New Wave: 12 Best Indian Female Rappers In DHH Right Now
From the legendary Raja Kumari to the fresh talent like Siri, the Indian rap scene is growing unlike any other. Here is our list of 12 top female rappers in India lighting up the scene for every Hip Hop fan:
1. Raja Kumari
Source: Facebook
It’s only right to start with the well-renowned and celebrated “Queen of Indian Hip Hop,” Raja Kumari. Born in a Telugu family in Claremont, California, Svetha Yallapragada Rao, has been a beacon of hope for other female rappers and the whole Hip Hop community. From being nominated for the prestigious Grammy awards to being the voice of multiple popular B-town projects, Raja Kumari is in a league of her own.
In songs like City Slums and Mute, Raja Kumari's lyrics represent the social-political situation of Indian cities while simultaneously dealing with global themes like diaspora and gender biases. With the blend of classical Indian music with her rich heritage and love for hip-hop, she has been constantly pushing boundaries in the industry for the last decade.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Mute
● Roots
● City Slums
2. Mrunal Shankar
Source: Instagram
From her electrifying stage presence to her distinct lyrical prowess, Mrunal Shankar is one of the best female rappers in India. Mrunal Shankar rose to prominence with her terrific run in a hip-hop reality show, MTV Hustle. She showed her voice control with melodious tracks like Albela Sajan and her infectious rhythm and flow in songs like Ameeri. With a strong social media presence and lyrics featuring social issues, personal struggles, and female empowerment, she is set to be a giant in the industry.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Kaisi Yeh Duniya
● Mor Bani Thanghat Kare
3. Dee MC
Source: Facebook
With over a decade in the game, Deepa Unnikrishnan is a well-respected singer-songwriter in the Indian Hip Hop genre. With popular and critically acclaimed Bollywood songs like Jagga Jiteya from URI and Shuru Karein Kya from Article 15, she has cemented her reign amongst the leading female rappers in India. She has also been an inspiration for many Mumbai-based underground artists along with a popular judge on the MTV Hustle panel. She has also been a representative of Indian female rappers on the international front in countries like the UK, Belgium, and Canada.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Jagga Jiteya
● Taking My Time
● Scene Chaa Gaya
4. Siri
Source: Instagram
Who said you can rap only in one language? Siri Narayan, a Banglore-based rapper, has been doing the rounds on the social media and underground scene with her multi-lingual rapping skills. From celebrating local slang in Kannada and Telugu to bringing a mix of English and Hindi lingo, Siri has been praised by legends for her craft. Her lyrics feature striking clarity of thought and a strong emphasis on female independence that resonates with local as well as national audiences. The refreshing vocals, flow, and the ability to switch language mid verse while maintaining a solid rhyming scheme is a skill unmatched in the scene.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Live It
● My Jam
● Chuck Taylor
5. Irfana Hameed
Source: Music Culture
Hailing from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu, Irfana hasn’t wasted too much time in marking her steps in the Indian Hip Hop scene. Her viral rhyme and swagger flow will be stuck in your mind like a moth to a flame. Her voice has graced Malayalam cinema to B-Town shows with songs like Kannil Pettole, and I Am Your King. In her short career, she has already worked with a prestigious label like Def Jam Recordings India and released an EP, Ko-Lab. Her music features universal pop sounds and sharp rebuttals of social criticisms, local culture, and feminist discourses.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Southside Menace
● London Dry
● Sheila Silk
6. Meba Ofilia
Source: Facebook
The beauty of Indian Hip Hop lies in the versatility of talent hailing from every region. Besides, major hip hop regions such as Mumbai and Delhi NCR, North-East states have been a force to reckon with. One artist who has given banger after banger is Meba Ofilia from Shillong, Meghalaya. Her belief in her singing and songwriter abilities is evident not only through her fan-favourite tracks such as Done Talking and The Journey but also her decision to drop out of law school in her final years.
Adding to her accolades was her collaboration with Big Ri for her song Done Talking, which won the European Music Award for Best Indian Act in 2018. She has also featured on tracks with the queen Raja Kumari herself, along with Dee MC and the talented Siri. Her themes include self-identity and cultural pride as she blends R&B soul with the energetic hip-hop flow.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Rani Cypher
● Lady Bizz
● Golden
7. Agsy
Source: Facebook
Agsy or Agrita Dhawan, has been an influential figure on social media trends, especially Insta reels. Her songs “Medusa” and “Santa Claws” went viral and were celebrated by millions on the internet. Agsy came into the mainstream limelight with MTV Hustle and hasn’t looked back since. Her swagger, multi-lingual slang and attractive social media presence are the key factors in her incredible rapping career till now. The ability to blend various genres of music, including Reggae, Drill, Trap, and R&B, has garnered respect and stature in the Desi Hip Hop (DHH) community. Just like other prominent female rappers in India, her fearless attitude is reflected in her bars and distinct rap flows.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Mother O.G.
● Medusa
● Powerplay ft. Parmish Verma
8. Won Tribe
Source: Instagram
Not a single artist but an all-female band, Won Tribe, has been hailed for their conscious rap and unique lyrical flows. The band features duo MC Pep, known as Pratika Prabune, and Krantinaari, originally known as Ashwini Hiremath, backed by eclectic beats of Prabhu Neigh, has been the talk of the town since they arrived in the scene. Their identity lies in their socially conscious lyrics and sharing their voice on global dissent.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Tyranny Of Power
● These Streets Are Mine ft. Lisa Mishra
9. Pho
Source: Pho Music
If anyone is industry-ready from the get-go, it is the talented multi-lingual rapper Pho, originally known as Akriti. With multiple languages under her belt, such as German, Japanese, Hindi, and English, along with her sharp beatboxing and melodious singing, Pho is an all-in-one package. Born and brought up in cyphers of Delhi streets, Pho has been praised by acclaimed rappers like Raga and breakout duo Seedhe Maut. A formidable contestant in the rap show MTV Hustle’s newest season, she showcased her vocal prowess while flexing her untouchable flow with perfect measurement. A complete storyteller in every regard, her song Laapata is a testament to it.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Laapata
● Baawe Hum Jeet Gaye ft. Siyaahi and Lashcurry
● Khwaab
10. Reble
Source: Instagram
Meba Ofilia isn’t the only magnificent and emerging rapper from the niche hip-hop scene in Meghalaya. Reble has been making the waves ever since her songs “Bad” and “Believe” dropped. Born and brought up in West Jaintia Hills, Reble has been surrounded by musical communities all her life and cites Eminem, Andre 300, and Biggie as her inspirations. This is showcased in her sharp lyrical abilities and unique flows. With a focus on social dilemmas and empowering North-east cultures, Reble is all about her craft.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Muse
● Believe
● Manifest
11. FeniFina
Source: Instagram
From addressing casteism, racism, and other social commentaries, FeniFina’s songs have been praised for being raw and moving. Born in Mumbai, Feni launched her music career in Canada with songs like “Rukna Nahi” and “Jism-e-Ruhaniyat.” With a catchy Mumbai flow, her songs feature both Marathi and Hindi elements. She is known for her carefree approach and inherent love for music.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Justice Now
● Rukna Nahi
● Get Better
12. Trichia Grace-Ann
Source: Facebook
Pen name: Trichia Rebello, the Mumbai-based singer-songwriter, is an emerging Indian female rapper. She is known for her beautiful vocals and melodies in tracks like “Goldust” while flaunting her flows in songs like “Duchess” and “Show Stoppa.” With heavy influence from stars like Eminem, Trichia has collaborated with other rappers like Irfana. Also, she is a fine pianist, which adds to her multiple accolades as a singer-songwriter.
Must-Listen Tracks
● Hocus Pocus
● One Me ft. Irfana
● The Queen
How Social Media Platforms Help Boost Female Rappers In India
While the advent of hip-hop in India is new, the arrival of social media is newer. But, this beautiful partnership has brought us some iconic gems and, as a hip-hop audience, given this niche art form a platform to put out your music in the world:
● Unlimited Exposure
Before the advent of social media or the internet, for that matter, the only way to showcase your talent was through the medium of TV and radio. While they are a great platform, it can be a lot more time-consuming and full of hassle, especially for female singers or rappers. With social media like Insta Reels and YouTube, your music is up for millions of people to witness at a relatively lower cost.
● Building a Community
With the interactive nature of social media via lives and messaging, female rappers can build a core fan base for their art. This benefits to build word of mouth for her craft and bring in crowds at live gigs.
● Collaborations
Social media isn’t merely a community site anymore; it has become a prime business and marketing avenue featuring multiple brands and corporation investments. Female rappers can collaborate with several brands to help write anthems or simple product promotions to help them with financial stability. This allows women to stay independent and focus fully on their art form.
● Breaking Stereotypes
Like many art forms, hip-hop is often gatekept by hardcore fans who insist it’s a male-dominated genre. With fewer live shows and limited TV presence, this misconception is only reinforced, making it seem like a reality. With artists like Agsy and Siri getting viral on platforms for their music, this idea is broken down, helping connect fans to art rather than the gender of the artist.
How to Support Your Favourite Female Rappers In India
If you are a fan of emerging or a well established female rapper, then here are some ways to help them garner success in their career:
● Stream Their Music
If you enjoy your favourite rapper’s music, the best way you can showcase the support is by simply unapologetically streaming and grooving to their music. Remember that good music is good music regardless of the gender, age or name of the artist. Stream through platforms such as YouTube and Spotify to rake in the official numbers.
● React to The Music
Like, share and subscribe, amongst other things, to showcase your engagement with the music. This will tilt the algorithm and help get more eyes on their craft.
● Attend Live Shows
The feel of attending your favourite artists’ live concert is unlike streaming their music on repeat in headphones. So, buy the live show tickets, attend the fests and vibe with your mates.
● Change The Discourse
When discussing good music or your top artist, do mention female rappers and their well-made songs. Try to explore more similar artists, and if you are a content creator and have a platform voice your support towards them to remove the taboo of female rappers in the scene.
Conclusion
Whether it be 1970s New York or the bustling streets of Bombay, hip-hop has always been the voice of the marginalised. From family and societal pressure to limited platforms, there are a range of issues faced by women in not just rapping but every field. But, with social media and more engaging platforms, the rise of top female rappers in India is unstoppable. They have been a source of inspiration and groovy music day after another. If we featured your favourite upcoming artist on the list, it's your sign to explore others and build your playlist.
FAQs
How can I discover new and upcoming female rappers in India?
Platforms like YouTube, Instagram and other streaming platforms are a great way to get introduced to new artists. You can check their work on their social media accounts or websites for the whole discography.
Are there any female rap collectives in India?
Absolutely Wild Wild Women, an all-women collaborative, features five rappers along with graffiti artists and skateboarders. Their work deals with all kinds of social issues, from mental health to gender stereotypes.
In what language do female rappers perform in India?
Rappers like Siri and Fenifina are known for their multi-lingual lyrics featuring languages such as Marathi, Telugu, Hindi and English.