Desi Hip-Hop is more than just bars and beats, though it is a culture, movement, and a battlefield where only the real ones survive. The industry has its fair share of mainstream glamour, but there are unwritten rules that tell you who is an artist and who is just fluff with nothing to say. These unwritten laws are not in contracts or in social media captions, but they tell the people who get respect and who just gets called a clout-chaser. So let’s dive into the unwritten laws that govern the game.
- Street Credibility vs. Social Media Hype In the early days of DHH, respect was earned through grind and not because of Instagram followers. Although social media can be a great tool, you can replicate any viral moments but you cannot replicate authenticity.
The real ones earn their respect in cyphers, rap battles, and undergrounds before they get their props on mainstream venues. Artists like Naezy and Divine have put in the work through the gullies of Mumbai before the world noticed them, and their journey is documented in Gully Boy.
That said, we also have rappers who buy streams and flex on the Gram with no respect in the culture. Now take the rise and fall of certain viral rappers; hyped one moment and irrelevant the next because the music has no heft behind it. The true test is level of engagement not trends.
- Lyricism Over Gimmicks Desi Hip-Hop was born as a medium of transgression, a purveyor of stories, and an expression of pure poetry. Rappers who acknowledge and compose their original bars, examine unfiltered issues like sex, race, gender & class, and inform the culture are the ones who endure.
Examples of this are manifested in the razor-sharp lyrics provided by Seedhe Maut, provocation by Prabh Deep, and clever wordplay by Karma - to name a few. For the sake of namesake, gimmicks and auto-tuned hooks and ghostwritten bars can take you to fame for a minute, but when it comes down to it, the real estate in the rap game is for those who respect the craft.
Remember rap battles? It was a time of underground battle rap that built rappers like MC Altaf, Encore ABJ, and Young Stunners from speaking their raw truth - not based on what's trending.
- Respect for the OGs All cultures have their pioneers, each with their own heroes. The same is true for Desi Hip Hop, and, as artists were being born and bred, during that time we had trailblazers like Bohemia, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Blaaze and Apache Indian.
While evolution is a necessity as artists move on and collectively grow, one cannot disrespect the Original Gangsters to achieve notoriety and it is without a doubt the fastest way to lose said respect in our culture.
Emiway Bantai, a prominent Indy artist recognizes Bohemia's influence on his music and that says a lot about his character. Real rappers do not refute their heritage whilst the fakes act as if history began when they arrived.
- Dissing with Purpose, Not for Publicity Beef is an organic part of hip hop culture, but it's essential to differentiate between real rap beef and a gimmick. Diss tracks should consist of lyricism and the art of rap battle prowess vs ignorant social media beef.
The Raftaar vs Emiway "beef" was perfect. Each MC demonstrated a tremendous use of pen game, wordplay, subliminal shots. Unneeded and petty beef on the internet with too little in terms of punches?
Please. If a rapper spends more energy on Instagram stories than diss tracks look elsewhere because the streets are already saying who "lost".
- Culture Contribution Over Trend Hopping DHH stands for more than just creating bangers, it's about repping and developing the movement. The real ones contribute to the culture, support & uplift new artists, and go beyond what is possible.
That's what makes a person real - supporting artists through mentorship, collaboration and building a platform is way more valuable than trying to latch onto whatever is 'pop' destroying the movement. Bohemia, even with his credibility, continues to support and features new artists to keep the movement alive.
There are artists like King and Ikka who have advanced their musical discoveries while at the same time shining light on the DHH scene, meaning you can grow without losing your authenticity or true self.
Final Thoughts: Real Recognizes Real
Desi Hip-Hop is evolving fast, and while anyone can pick up a mic, only those who respect the game, the grind, and the culture will be remembered. Fans can tell the difference between those who are in it for the passion and those who are just here for a quick paycheck. At the end of the day, numbers lie, but real music never does.
The unwritten rules of DHH are simple - keep it real, respect the craft, and let the music do the talking.
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