Fergie Hip Hop

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Indian hip hop is a blend of traditional Indian musical elements with hip hop music. This can be achieved lyrically (using one or more Indian languages), incorporating percussion (tabla, dhol etc.), other instrumentation (sitar, veena) or through the use of sampling popular Bollywood film soundtracks. Although often used to describe the ethnicity of the artist, mainstream hip hop talent including Dr. Dre, Rakim, Dan the Automator, Fergie, Kelly Rowland, et al have incorporated elements from Indian Culture in their music — further complicating the effort to accurately define Indian hip hop.

Indian hip hop has made a significant impact to the Asian Underground. Indian hip hop uses beats which are relevant to an Indian dance/music called Bhangra. Many famous Indian rappers are based outside India, mostly from the United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, etc. In India, Madras is in the forefront of establishing an Indian hip hop culture.

The US and UK both have rising Indian hip hop artists.

UK artists

In the UK, S-Endz appeared on the scene in 2004 with the band Swami, who that year released an album entitled DesiRock that went on to become the biggest selling and most critically acclaimed album of that year.

Notably, the platinum sales and success of that album in India (when remixed and released there in 2005 under the name So Who Am I) means that S-Endz is one of a very small number of rappers of Indian decent, but born and raised in the West, to make any kind of impact in their cultural homeland. Interestingly, another person that can be said of is S-Endz's first cousin - British-Asian reggae dancehall artist Apache Indian. Both have had massive success working with renowned super-producers Diamond "DJ Swami" Duggal and his brother Simon "Subs" Duggal, who are also first cousins of both S-Endz and Apache.

Swami's success in India also led to S-Endz and DJ Swami featuring on the soundtrack to the hit Bollywood movie Corporate in 2005, alongside legendary Bollywood singer Kailesh Kher. In 2006, it was also revealed that S-Endz has joined US hip-hop collective Tha Havenotz, a group founded by the late Tupac Shakur. In Fall 2007, Swami released their new album Equalize, which features a collaboration with American hip-hop megastar Pras Michel.

US artists

As the popularity of American rap music has proliferated, so has the variety of approaches which US-based hip-hop artists of Indian heritage.

Two well received underground/independent rap artists include west coast artist Chee Malabar, who garnered widespread attention in academia through his involvement in the Himalayan Project. Another is New York-based rapper/producer the1shanti, who has collaborated commercially but remains under the mainstream radar. In addition, the latter was recognized by hip-hop's godfather, Afrika Bambaataa, as India Bambaataa for having been the first New York hip-hop artist to spread true school rap values throughout India. Ironically, both Chee Malabar and the1shanti worked together during their studies at Penn State.

Two popular Indian rap artists based in the United States are both from Detroit, Asoka and Kidd Skilly. Although they are not affiliated, they have worked together in the past.

Asoka has worked with the world famous rappers, The Outlawz, originated by Tupac Shakur. He has also appeared on many major mixtapes, including some hosted by 50 Cent and G-Unit.

On June 16, 2006, in celebration of Tupac Shakur's Birthday, Makaveli Branded released a Mixtape titled The Underground Railroad. In this mixtape Asoka made an appearance alongside Shakur on the song "The Uppercut". Allhiphop.com reviewed this mixtape and stated it was one of the better 2pac CDs to have been released since his demise.

Kidd Skilly in 2007 released his first music video, Bhangra Chick. At the end of the video is a clip of Kidd Skilly's collaboration with Hip Hop star Akon.

Another influential artist raised in Rockland County, NY is San Nair. Using a gritty and raw style, Nair talks about real life issues set to unbelievable beats. Rather than focusing on "rap", Nair truly brings hip-hop back to life. He embodies the credo of the Bronx that hip-hop is not merely a style of music but rather a way of life. Nair, though not commercially known is one of the most talked about MC's in the underground hip hop circuit. His popularity among Indians is unparalleled and though many are quick to judge him, it is those same who would be listening to his songs when they are alone.

Not only does San Nair showcase amazing artistry with a pen, but his freestyle is also impressive. Able to freely spit rhymes at the drop of a hat is a talent few have, but that San Nair has perfected.