Indian rapper DIVINE teams up with Vince Staples and Pusha T on the explosive new single ‘Jungle Mantra’. Fresh off the release of his sublime new album ‘Punya Paap’ which dropped late last year, the Mumbai-based artist brings his spitfire verses and clever wordplay and is joined by two of America’s best over a fiery, hard-hitting beat penned by Karan Kanchan. Check out ‘Jungle Mantra’ here, which is lifted from Netflix’s forthcoming adaptation of Aravind Adiga’s 2008 novel ‘The White Tiger’.

Mumbai-based artist OAFF (aka Kabeer Kathpalia) teams up Landslands (aka Sohrab Nicholson) on the heartbreaking yet heartwarming ‘Youth’. Opening with subtle piano chords and the soothing tones of Landslands’ voice before blossoming into an electronic beat, the track captures a sense of nostalgia with the poignant words that were inspired by old photographs and love letters unearthed belonging to their ancestors. Bask in the soothing atmosphere of ‘Youth’ here.

Bombay, India native Adi showcases his incredible versatility as a rapper and songwriter on his brilliant new EP ‘PIGEONHOLED’. Featuring previously released single ‘.22’ and a stellar collaboration with rising rapper Ahmer on ‘COP CAR’, the five-track project sees Adi flex his playful yet sharp lyricism over hard-hitting beats penned by the likes of Versus, Sheil Mehta, BMTJ, MDHV and Kevin Clarke. Stream ‘PIGEONHOLED’ in its entirety here and be sure to keep an eye out for more from this rising artist.

Indian artists Hanumankind and Kalmi team up for ‘No Hook’, a hard-hitting cut taken from their newly released mini-mixtape ‘Surface Level’. Accompanied by an equally atmospheric and trippy music video shot and edited by Lendrick Kumar, the 90 second track features a crisp hip-hop beat penned by Kalmi as Hanumankind works his lyrical wizardry with a feisty flow. Check out the track here and be sure to give ‘Surface Level’ a spin too.

Indian singer/songwriter KAVYA shares a striking and captivating music video to her latest single ‘Quin’ which is out via DMY. Recorded in a single take, ‘Quin’ blends together R&B, soul and electronic to create a sharp yet subtle atmosphere that is mirrored wonderfully by the accompanying visual. Check out the stunning single and music video which is directed by Abdallah ElDaly here and keep an eye out for KAVYA’s forthcoming EP titled ‘Know Me Better’.

Indian singer/songwriter and COLORS alumni Prateek Kuhad shares a breathtakingly beautiful new single in the form of ‘Kasoor’. Kuhad’s soft vocals wash over the spirited piano-led instrumentation that boasts hopeful handclaps and gorgeous guitars to create a consoling and heartwarming atmosphere. Enjoy the song here and be sure to check out Prateek’s performance of ‘did you/fall apart‘ for COLORS if you haven’t already.

RAAJA BEATS is the musical project of Bangalore, India based producers Raka Ashok and Malfnktion who share their explosive new self-titled EP. Featuring previously released singles ‘POONGATRU’, ‘NINNUKORI’ and ‘RAJA RAJATHI’, the nine-track project encapsulates edits of iconic songs from Tamil film composer and songwriter, Ilaiyaraaja. A wonderful blurring of Eastern and Western sounds, ‘RAAJA BEATS’ is one of the strongest instrumental EP’s you’ll hear all year.

New Delhi based artist Seasonal Affected Beats aka Tarun Balani teams up singer/songwriter KAVYA on the enticing ‘Let the Light In’ taken from his ‘2°’ EP. Soundtracked by a sweeping set of electronics and sizzling synths, ‘Let the Light In’ shine brighter with KAVYA’s sweet and delicate tones. Check out the fantastic single and it’s stunning visual accompaniment by Parizad D, Mohit Mukhi, Jahaan Noble & Michele Ricossa here.

Goa, India based producer and DJ Anish Sood teams up with Lisa Mishra on the dance floor ready anthem ‘Running Back To You’. Serving as the follow up to previously released singles like ‘Mountain of A Man’ and ‘Castles’, ‘Running Back To You’ sees a classic electronic beat sweeping across the soundscape as Mishra adds her gentle and sweet sounding vocals on top. Check out the uplifting and energetic single here.

Mumbai based producer Sandunes shares an eclectic and meditative EP in the form of ’11:11′. Opening with the clattering electronics of lead single ‘Eleven:Eleven’, which features vocals from Landslands, the five-track EP is a free-flowing journey of magical sounds. From sparkling synth melodies and sharp notes that bounce, glide, trickle and speed across on subsequent tracks like ‘Shift’ and ‘Glock’, Sandunes, real name Sanaya Ardeshir, sets herself apart as one of the most exciting musicians and producers to come out of India.

Having recently announced that he’s signed to Mass Appeal India (the New York based label co-founded by Nas), Indian rapper DIVINE (aka Vivian Fernandes) has shared the explosive lead single from his forthcoming debut album ‘Kohinoor’. The single, of the same name, features production from iLL Wayno who serves the perfect backdrop for DIVINE to lay down his fiery verses as he raps about his past experiences shaping his present life – a diamond (‘Kohinoor’ is the name of the largest cut diamond in the world) in the making.

Twenty year old rapper Spitfire from Madhya Pradesh first encountered hip-hop when he was in the 11th grade. His debut EP ‘Paathshala’, released on IncInk Records, talks about his own life story and how he found the strength to break through stereotypes and find his own identity. An interesting spoken-word poetry approach layered with an offbeat and ambient atmosphere suits Nitin’s poetic chops the best. The underlying theme of the EP revolves around how hip-hop and rap as an art form has added a lot of value in his life making him the person that he is today and how he would like to exercise this medium to continue to teach and inform his audiences. With vigour and boldness in his voice and word play ‘Paathshala’ can be quite accessible to tune into at a club or at home.

‘Jaago’ is one of the most critically acclaimed albums to have been released by an Indian independent artist this year. Lifafa is the solo project of Suryakant Sawhney who is also the frontman at Peter Cat Recording Co. that came to life as a part of a quest to find his identity. Adopting a more organic approach, the album builds up as a live set to an audience would, the tracks start off slow with prolonged harmonium and gradually build up to more danceable disco worthy grooves. A perfect combination of vintage soulful Bollywood in a modern electronic setting bridges or eliminates the gap between the highly commercial movie industry and the independent music scene.

Mumbai based producer and vocalist Your Chin has recently dropped new single ‘Horticulturist’ his first release in three years. One of India’s most seasoned artists, he has never failed to impress listeners with his whimsical take on electro-pop. His music often comes across as effortless mood music, but there is a solid groundwork of talent and aesthetic sense that supports it all. Rich layered beats with catchy choruses giving out a sombre message disguised in feel good metaphors, resulted in a multifaceted sound totally unique to him. Highlighting a contrast when listening to music, that of being a joyous experience to thought provoking the artist returns to his sonic roots making this the first of many releases lined up for the year.

Influenced by Flume, Mura Masa, Odesza and Mr. Carmack; young electronic producer Chrms (pronounced Charms) has been experimenting with design, film and music since he was nine. Not subjected to any genre, his productions mainly vary from indie dream pop to lush, ethereal, bass heavy electronic music. Garnering a secure hold within the independent music scene in India, his debut EP ‘Lover Boy’ takes one through the diverse genres that have been explored by this young producer. Bone Soda ft Rae is a smooth composition infused with distinctive synth elements making for a tune one can groove to on the dance floor. The contrast of the rap and the subtlety of the production makes for the perfect balance merging two different worlds together.

Urban ecologist, Aditi Veena aka Ditty gracefully transitions between spoken word and singing in her debut album ‘Poetry Ceylon’. Inspired by the natural world and people on the island of Sri Lanka, the album is an earthy, diverse and experimental journey of music that offers listeners an invitation to feel all that is beautiful and heart wrenching about being a human. There is a natural ease in her delivery of lyrics mainly written around her knowledge of the earth, of cities, of her own self and the ruin of nature coupled with melancholic vocals. The album is recorded by Shantanu Pandit and arranged by Dhruv Bhola who have added a touch of finesse to her captivating voice rendering an irresistible charm.

Nineteen year old singer-songwriter, Karshni finds comfort in playing the guitar, experimenting with production and incorporating electronic elements in her songs. Her music is a reflection of how she feels in the moment and is usually the result of impulsive lyricism at a very emotional time. Her single ‘Fomo’ is characterised by a haunting melody, that is slightly muted to signify the fear of missing out which is faced by a large part of the youth today. From popular vices to parties the whole paraphernalia of what it means to be a teenager, the popular youth slang is a depiction of the actual fear that suffocates the artist.

‘Floated By’ is the latest release by New Delhi based band Peter Cat Recording Co. from their forthcoming album ‘Bismillah’. Coupled with a brilliant music video capturing the lead vocalist’s wedding, there is a realness and lack of pretence as opposed to the grandeur observed in Indian matrimony. Doing what they do best, greeting the listeners with a groovy horn aided piece accompanied by uplifting guitar riffs and basslines, the intent of the album is taking the audience through a culmination of their journey over the past 8 years. One can’t help the light hearted fuzzy feeling on hearing the spirited vocal performance filled with exuberance yet holding a strong emotion of melancholy.

Three Oscillators consists of Brij Dalvi and Avit Rane who strive to give their songs an identity and character of their own while narrating stories through this wonderful, limitless medium we call electronic music. Their sound leans toward, but doesn’t limit itself to genres like post-dubstep and glitch hop, sometimes with a slight deviation towards bass music. Having released two EPs, the duo aim to make a lasting impact and have more ears listening to their music in the coming years. ‘Drowning’ is a collaboration with singer song writer Karshni who often makes all her music via an app called Bandlab where the early version of this track was found was built upon adding the finishing touches to the production.

‘Mere Gully Mein’ represents the emergence of real Indian hip-hop. DIVINE and Naezy are the new age desi rappers who talk about all socio-political-economic issues governing the country which is quite a change from the superficial and aspirational hip hop that surrounds us today. With an intent to change the masses’s misconception and rewrite the history of Indian hip hop the duo’s authentic and original story is being identified by people all over the world. Hailing from the city’s chawls and gullies to now making waves not just in the country, but also internationally these two rappers and their rap-to-riches project has also been an inspiration for 2019 released Bollywood movie, Gully Boy.