Desi Rap Scene

India’s hip-hop scene is a male-dominated turf but there are a few female MCs that are making their way to the top. Today, female rappers are flipping the mic, dropping truth bombs, and rewriting the playbook. Whether it’s fire verses about social justice or feel-good party anthems, these women represent a new wave of artistry. Let’s explore the most talented and boldest female rappers of India, their journeys, albums, and top hits.

Trailblazers: Established Female Rappers Leading the Indian Scene

Raja Kumari (Svetha Yallapragada Rao)

Background and Early Life:
Born in California to Telugu parents, Raja Kumari grew up dancing Bharatanatyam while vibing to Tupac. She’s a Grammy-nominated songwriter and a global icon in fusing Desi vibes with Western beats.

Albums & Major Releases:

• Bloodline (2019) – Featuring the anthem “Karma.”
  
• The Bridge (2020) – Known for the defiant “N.R.I.”
  
• Kashi to Kailash (2025) – Latest spiritual EP merging Sanskrit chants with hip-hop.
  

Most Streamed Songs:

• “US” feat. Raja Kumari – 63M+
  
• “City Slums” feat. DIVINE – 19M+
  
• “Goddess,” “KARMA,” and “Jawan Prevue Theme” – Each over 13M+
  

Collaborations: Gwen Stefani, Sidhu Moosewala, Iggy Azalea.

Agsy (Agrita Dhawan)

Background: Hailing from Faridabad, Agsy emerged as a force in Indian hip-hop with a fierce individuality that quickly set her apart. As the only female rapper to crack the Top 15 on MTV Hustle Season 1, she blazed a trail through the male-dominated rap world with fearless lyrics, genre-blending beats, and a bold presence that made her a household name. Her journey reflects grit, vision, and a passionate drive to represent women in a genre often criticized for its gender gap

Multilingual and Genre-Fluid: Agsy spits bars in Punjabi, Hindi, Haryanvi, and English. Famous from MTV Hustle, her music is a blend of drill, reggae, and desi swag.

Popular Tracks: “Medusa,” “Santa Claws,” “Kudi Fire”

Dee MC (Deepa Unnikrishnan)

Personal Journey: From the bustling bylanes of Mumbai to global hip-hop stages, Dee MC’s journey is one of resilience, lyrical fire, and relentless ambition. Born and raised in a Malayali household, she was drawn to poetry and rhythm at a young age. As a teenager, she started penning down verses to express her thoughts on gender roles, identity, and societal pressure. What began as an outlet soon turned into her purpose.

Top Releases:

• Dee=MC² (2019) – Her debut project
  
• Bollywood appearances: “Jagga Jiteya” (Uri), “Shuru Karein Kya” (Gully Boy)
  

Most Streamed Tracks:

• “Chaar Log”
  
• “Vadhaiyaan”
  

Industry Roles: Mentor on MTV Hustle.

Rashmeet Kaur

Background and Musical Journey: Rashmeet Kaur is a genre-bending artist who has seamlessly transitioned from the soulful lanes of Indian folk music to the pulsating rhythms of contemporary hip-hop and electronic beats. Born and raised in Delhi, Rashmeet began singing at the age of six. Her formal training in Hindustani classical music laid a strong foundation for her versatility as a vocalist and songwriter.

Most Streamed Songs:

• Nadiyon Paar – Over 60M streams
  
• Bajre Da Sitta – Millions across platforms including YouTube and Spotify
  
• Musafir and Kala Suit – Fan favorites across dance and chill playlists

Reble (Daiaphi Lamare)

Personal Journey and Rise Through the Ranks: Emerging from the misty hills of Shillong, a city celebrated for its music scene yet often overlooked in the mainstream, Reble embodies the quiet storm of Indian hip-hop. Born into a Khasi family deeply connected to music and local culture, she grew up surrounded by folk rhythms, gospel choirs, and the raw pulse of indie bands that fill Shillong’s vibrant streets.

Debut EP: Entropy

Unique Style: Reble mixes lyrical dexterity with melodic hooks, offering a refreshing soundscape.

Popular Songs:

• “Entropy”
  
• “Manifesto”

Mrunal Shankar

Why She Stands Out: Mrunal is known for integrating powerful vocals and sharp rhymes that center around female empowerment, mental health, and social injustice. As a Kalamkaar signee, she was backed by one of India’s most influential hip-hop labels until she quit. She came into limelight again after getting featured in Hustle 3.0 where she was the top 5 contestant. 

Notable Tracks:

• “Fariyaad” – A haunting track about self-expression
  
• “Aurat” – A fierce ode to womanhood

Navz-47

Background and Cultural Identity: Navz-47 is more than just a rapper—she is a cultural movement in motion. With roots embedded in the Tamil diaspora and an upbringing in Canada, her identity bridges continents, histories, and lived realities. Growing up in a family that fled civil war and resettled abroad, Navz-47 was immersed in the harsh truths of displacement, assimilation, and the struggle to hold on to cultural heritage.

Notable Tracks:

• Thalaivi- Remix
• Pattasu.

Khushi TDT

Background and Personal Journey: Khushi Saini is part of a new vanguard of Indian female rappers—bold, barrier-breaking, and unafraid to challenge societal norms. Her rise to prominence is rooted not just in her lyrical prowess, but in her resilient personal story of self-expression, self-worth, and battling judgment in a visually-driven culture.

Starting out as an anonymous artist, Khushi initially performed while wearing a mask, a powerful symbol of her choice to prioritize substance over superficiality. This decision, encouraged by her sister, was inspired by another female rapper who had faced harsh judgment for her looks. By masking her face, Khushi forced the audience to hear her—not see her.

Most streamed songs: 

• Victory Anthem: Featuring Lashcurry this song truly became an anthem living up to its name.
• Warrior.

Shia

Background and Personal Journey: From the concrete jungles of Mumbai, Shia has carved a niche in Indian hip-hop that’s more introspective than aggressive, more reflective than reactive. A writer before she was a rapper, Shia’s artistic journey began with journaling and poetry during her adolescent years. Her rhymes were born not from a desire to make noise but from the need to be understood—to untangle emotions, confront pain, and turn struggle into strength.

Notable Tracks: 

• My girl. 
• Cautious. 

Breaking Bars and Barriers

The best female rappers of India aren’t just performing—they’re transforming. They’re using their voices to speak truth, reclaim power, and inspire the next generation. From Raja Kumari’s international flair to Meba Ofilia’s regional pride, this lineup proves that Indian hip-hop is as diverse and powerful as the women who drive it.