Desi Rap Scene

The feud between Emiway Bantai and KR$NA represents one of the most significant and most discussed beefs in the history of Indian hip-hop.

Spanning from 2019 to 2025, this rivalry has captivated the desi hip-hop community (DHH), produced numerous iconic diss tracks, and fundamentally shaped the landscape of contemporary Indian rap.

What began as subliminal shots and competitive banter escalated into a full-scale lyrical war that tested the skills of both artists while polarizing the fanbase.

This comprehensive guide breaks down every chapter of this legendary beef, analyzing the context, the diss tracks, fan reactions, and the lasting impact on Indian hip-hop culture.

The Foundation: Who Are These Artists?

KR$NA: The Lyrical Pioneer of Delhi Hip-Hop

KR$NA, born Krishna Kaul, emerged as one of the earliest rappers in the Indian hip-hop scene during the mid-2000s. His career began in 2006 when he started posting songs on MySpace, building a local fanbase in New Delhi by 2008. His breakthrough moment came in 2010 with the release of “Kaisa Mera Desh,” which became the first Indian hip-hop song on YouTube and earned a #2 ranking as one of the most-watched music videos in India overnight. After signing with Universal Music in 2013, KR$NA released his debut album “Sellout” in May 2014, establishing himself as a serious contender in the Indian music industry.

KR$NA’s journey wasn’t linear. Throughout the late 2010s, he founded Right Now Entertainment, a pioneering independent hip-hop label that preceded the major indie labels like Kalamkaar and Gully Gang that would later define the industry. In 2017, Raftaar founded Kalamkaar alongside Ankit Khanna, and KR$NA eventually became one of the label’s flagship artists. By the time the beef with Emiway began, KR$NA had established himself as the Delhi scene’s most technically skilled lyricist, known for his bar-heavy, wordplay-driven approach to rap that emphasized technical excellence over mainstream appeal. His philosophy emphasized long-term strategy, global collaborations, and building a legacy rooted in lyrical credibility rather than viral moments.

Emiway Bantai: The Mumbai Independent Maverick

Emiway Bantai, born Bilal Shaikh on November 13, 1995, represents a fundamentally different narrative in Indian hip-hop. Growing up in a middle-class Muslim family in Mumbai, Emiway initially aspired to become a doctor but was drawn to hip-hop after discovering Eminem’s music during his teenage years. Unlike KR$NA’s early success through online platforms, Emiway’s journey was marked by struggle and perseverance. He failed his 12th-grade exams while pursuing music and worked as an assistant at the Hard Rock Cafe to support his rap career without asking his family for financial help. His stage name “Emiway” is a combination of Eminem and Lil Wayne, paying homage to his primary musical influences.

Emiway’s first major breakthrough came with “Aur Bantai” in 2014, a Hindi rap that resonated with audiences and helped him build a dedicated following. His international recognition came through his participation in Zoya Akhtar’s 2019 film “Gully Boy,” where he not only performed on the track “Asli Hip-Hop” but also showcased his acting talent. By the time of the KR$NA beef, Emiway had positioned himself as India’s biggest independent rapper, a self-made artist who built his empire without the backing of major labels, constantly emphasizing his autonomy and organic rise through YouTube and grassroots fanbase building.

The Pre-Beef Context: The Delhi vs Mumbai Divide

To understand the Emiway vs KR$NA beef, it’s essential to grasp the broader context of Indian hip-hop’s geographical and philosophical divide. During the late 2010s, Indian hip-hop was characterized by two distinct ecosystems: Delhi’s underground lyrical tradition and Mumbai’s gully rap movement.

Delhi rap, represented by artists like KR$NA, Raftaar, and later Seedhe Maut, emphasized bars, wordplay, and battle culture. These artists came from a tradition where lyrical dominance and technical skill were paramount. Conversely, Mumbai’s hip-hop scene, pioneered by Divine and Naezy, focused on gully life, struggle, and hustle, drawing inspiration from the slums of Dharavi. This scene emphasized raw emotion, authenticity, and commercial viability.

By 2019, Emiway had become the face of Mumbai’s independent artist movement, embodying the narrative of self-made success. KR$NA, meanwhile, represented Delhi’s technical excellence and was part of the increasingly influential Kalamkaar ecosystem. Their careers were on collision courses not just personally but ideologically—representing competing philosophies about how hip-hop should be made, promoted, and profited from in India.

2019: The War Begins

Emiway’s “Freeverse Feast” — The Opening Shot

The beef officially ignited on August 13, 2019, when Emiway released “Freeverse Feast,” a track where he made a bold claim: that he was the only rapper truly representing India’s hip-hop culture on a global scale. The track was framed as Emiway asserting his dominance and independence in the scene. While the diss was not explicitly directed at KR$NA alone, the core message—that Emiway was the primary representative of Indian hip-hop—didn’t sit well with KR$NA, who had been working in the underground scene since the mid-2000s.

KR$NA’s Response: “Seedha Makeover”

Three days later, on September 16, 2019, KR$NA released “Seedha Makeover,” a blistering response that became one of the most brutal diss tracks in Indian hip-hop history. On this track, KR$NA didn’t just respond to Emiway’s claims; he systematically deconstructed them. KR$NA made it clear that he had been building India’s hip-hop infrastructure since before Emiway gained prominence, questioning Emiway’s credibility and making thinly veiled jabs at his artistic integrity.

The track shocked the DHH community. Fans noted that KR$NA delivered some of the harshest and most technical disses ever heard in the scene. The response was so effective that many believed KR$NA had ended the beef before it even truly began. However, this assumption underestimated Emiway’s determination and resolve.

Emiway’s Counter: “Seedha Takeover”

Emiway refused to be silenced. He responded with “Seedha Takeover,” a track that showcased his growth as a rapper and his ability to create meaningful, well-structured responses. Rather than backing down, Emiway leaned into his narrative of independence and street credibility, contrasting his journey with what he portrayed as KR$NA’s label-backed privileges. The track demonstrated that Emiway had the technical ability to trade bars with KR$NA, even if critics felt KR$NA had the more impressive opening volley.

The 2019 Aftermath

After the initial exchange, the 2019 beef cooled down, but it didn’t disappear entirely. The respect between the two rappers was notably absent. Unlike other major beefs in hip-hop history where artists acknowledged each other’s skill, the Emiway vs KR$NA dynamic was more bitter and ideologically rooted. The beef had established the narrative framework that would define their rivalry for years: KR$NA as the technically superior but label-affiliated artist versus Emiway as the independent underdog fighting against the establishment.

2020-2021: The Subliminal Phase and Brewing Tensions

The period between late 2019 and early 2022 saw an interesting shift in the beef. Rather than direct diss tracks, KR$NA incorporated subliminal shots at Emiway into various tracks. Songs like “Baap Se” and “Saza-E-Maut” contained veiled references to Emiway, critiques of his artistry, and continued questioning of his credibility. This subliminal approach served multiple purposes: it kept the narrative alive without committing to a full-scale diss war, demonstrated KR$NA’s confidence that he didn’t need to directly engage Emiway, and frustrated Emiway’s fanbase who felt their favorite artist was being disrespected without a proper response.

During this phase, tensions continued to simmer below the surface. Emiway, according to multiple sources, never truly stopped taking shots at KR$NA. Performers at Emiway’s concerts would showcase videos of him burning dollar bills (a reference to KR$NA’s “$” alias) and performing tracks like “KR L$DA SIGN,” keeping the beef alive in the grassroots hip-hop community. The underground and live performance spaces maintained the beef’s intensity even as the digital space saw a temporary lull.

Raftaar’s Role and the Kalamkaar Alliance

It’s crucial to understand that KR$NA didn’t operate in isolation. Raftaar, co-founder of Kalamkaar and KR$NA’s label-mate and collaborator, had his own history with Emiway. The legendary Raftaar vs Emiway beef of 2018 had ended in a stalemate but left deep scars. Raftaar’s support for KR$NA meant that the KR$NA vs Emiway beef had institutional backing. Kalamkaar, as a label, stood behind KR$NA, amplifying his message and providing resources that Emiway—despite his independence narrative—didn’t have access to in the same way.

This dynamic added layers to the beef. It wasn’t just two individual artists competing; it was an independent artist challenging the Delhi hip-hop establishment represented by Kalamkaar. This framing resonated with different segments of the fanbase: Delhi underground heads supported KR$NA’s technical prowess, while Mumbai and pan-India audiences increasingly backed Emiway’s narrative of fighting against institutional gatekeeping.

April 2022: The Beef Explodes: “Chusamba” and the Modern Era

The Trigger: Emiway’s “Chusamba”

On April 1, 2022, exactly three years after the initial exchange, Emiway released “Chusamba,” a direct and aggressive diss track that reignited the beef with unprecedented intensity. The production, beat, and lyrical content were notably different from the 2019 exchange. “Chusamba” was characterized by raw aggression, explicit content, and a more aggressive, hard-hitting approach. Emiway attacked KR$NA’s credibility, his association with Kalamkaar, his supposed lack of independent success, and made personal attacks that went beyond previous boundaries.

The track signaled that Emiway had grown impatient with subliminal shots. According to community discussions, Emiway had been waiting for KR$NA to provide a worthy response, and the continuous subliminal disrespect finally broke his patience. “Chusamba” was Emiway saying: “I’m not waiting anymore. I’m coming directly.”

KR$NA’s Response: “Lil Bunty”

However, KR$NA’s response wasn’t immediate. He waited three days and dropped “Lil Bunty” on April 6, 2022. This delay was strategic. KR$NA, according to many analysts, didn’t want to seem desperate or reactionary. The track name itself—”Lil Bunty”—mocked Emiway’s persona and status. On the track, KR$NA delivered direct bars and cold punchlines, responding to Emiway’s diss while maintaining his composed demeanor.

What made “Lil Bunty” particularly effective was its playful yet cutting approach. While it wasn’t as intensely angry as “Chusamba,” it was technically superior and was praised by hardcore hip-hop listeners who valued wordplay and lyricism over raw aggression. The track demonstrated that KR$NA was operating on a different level of sophistication, but it also sparked debate: did technical superiority matter when Emiway was landing heavier emotional punches?

Emiway’s Counter: “KR L$DA SIGN”

Emiway responded with “KR L$DA SIGN” (KR Loda Sign), a track that many fans and analysts considered to be on par with or better than “Lil Bunty.” The production was more polished than “Chusamba,” the flow was more refined, and the bars contained innovative wordplay. More importantly, Emiway tackled KR$NA’s points directly, flipping many of his bars and creating new angles of attack. The track showcased Emiway’s creative growth as an artist.

Critically, “KR L$DA SIGN” was seen as Emiway’s peak in the beef. Community discussions and reactions consistently ranked it as one of the best diss tracks Emiway had ever produced, particularly praised for its technical execution and the way it balanced aggression with lyrical substance.

June-July 2022: The Escalation

KR$NA’s “Machayenge 4”

By June 2022, the beef had captured the entire attention of the Indian hip-hop community. On June 30, 2022, KR$NA released “Machayenge 4,” a six-minute diss track that many considered to be the most devastating response in the entire beef. The production was darker and more menacing, created by Pendo46, and the energy was intense throughout.

On “Machayenge 4,” KR$NA employed an even more aggressive approach than “Lil Bunty.” He made personal attacks, questioned Emiway’s authenticity, mocked his lifestyle choices, and included phone call skits that mocked Emiway’s responses. The track included multiple layers of wordplay and references that required deep knowledge of both artists’ histories to fully appreciate. KR$NA criticized Emiway’s claimed independence, referenced specific incidents from Emiway’s career, and consistently maintained the narrative that he was morally and technically superior.

One of the most memorable aspects of “Machayenge 4” was how KR$NA structured the track—he ended with the line that “Machayenge 4” was only six minutes long because that was all he needed to shut down Emiway’s entire career, emphasizing his confidence and dominance.

Emiway’s Catastrophic Response: “Machayenge 4”

Then came one of the most controversial moments in Indian hip-hop history. On July 11, 2022, just days after KR$NA’s “Machayenge 4,” Emiway released his own version titled “Machayenge 4” as well—but this track took a drastically different turn. While the initial portion matched KR$NA’s energy, the latter half of the track descended into territory that many felt crossed lines in hip-hop discourse.

Emiway dragged KR$NA’s mother into the beef, using references and lines that went beyond typical diss track conventions. The track was approximately ten minutes long, seemingly designed to be longer than KR$NA’s six-minute response, suggesting Emiway felt the need to have the last word by any means necessary. The community’s reaction was severely negative. Social media exploded with the hashtag #ShameOnEmiway, with fans expressing disappointment at Emiway’s tactics.

According to detailed community analysis, Emiway’s decision to drag personal family members into the beef was a catastrophic mistake that single-handedly shifted the narrative against him, regardless of the bars or musical quality. Emiway was positioned to potentially match KR$NA blow-for-blow, but he sabotaged himself by crossing ethical boundaries that the DHH community deemed unacceptable.

The Aftermath and Collapse

Emiway’s Breakdown

The response to “Machayenge 4” (Emiway version) broke Emiway mentally and emotionally. Within hours, he realized the magnitude of his mistake. According to multiple sources, Emiway went live on Instagram and cried for approximately 40 minutes, explaining his actions and attempting to contextualize his aggression. He later deleted the track from most platforms, took to social media to give credits to KR$NA and Kalamkaar as rappers who had contributed to Indian hip-hop, and released a track called “Thanks to My Haters” attempting to recover from the backlash.

This capitulation was unprecedented. Emiway, who had built his entire brand on independence and fearlessness, was now apologizing and giving credit to the very people he had positioned as his enemies. From a hip-hop perspective, this was seen as a complete loss. Emiway had gone from being inches away from potentially winning the beef to completely undermining his entire position through a single track.

KR$NA’s Victory

KR$NA never released a formal response after Emiway’s deleted “Machayenge 4.” His silence spoke volumes. He had won not through a knockout punch but through his opponent knocking himself out. The narrative was clear: KR$NA was the superior artist, the more controlled operator, and the one capable of maintaining his composure under pressure. His label support, his technical skills, and his strategic approach had prevailed over Emiway’s raw aggression and street credibility.

Community consensus concluded that KR$NA emerged as the winner by significant margins, not just because of superior technical ability, but because of the devastating impact the beef had on Emiway’s psyche and public image.

2023-2025: The “Guess” Battle and Continued Tension

The 2023 Exchange

After the trauma of mid-2022, the beef cooled considerably. However, in 2023, KR$NA released “I Guess,” a track containing subliminal shots at Emiway, and Emiway responded with “Guess,” creating another brief exchange. This battle was far less intense than the 2022 escalation, suggesting that both artists had learned their lessons about the dangers of escalation.

Recent Developments (2025)

As of 2025, the beef is not entirely dead but has entered a new phase. KR$NA included fresh shots at Emiway in his track “Asian State of Mind,” demonstrating that the rivalry remains part of his creative narrative. However, neither artist seems interested in reigniting a full-scale war. The beef has become more of a background tension that occasionally flares up rather than an active conflict consuming the scene.

Critical Analysis: Who Won?

The question of who “won” the Emiway vs KR$NA beef depends heavily on perspective and criteria.

From a lyrical standpoint: KR$NA emerged victorious. His technical proficiency, wordplay, and ability to construct multi-layered disses demonstrated superior craftsmanship. His “Seedha Makeover” and “Machayenge 4” are widely considered among the best diss tracks in Indian hip-hop history.

From a strategic standpoint: KR$NA won decisively. He maintained his composure, understood the importance of timing, and knew when to escalate and when to hold back. His greatest victory came not from a perfect diss but from allowing Emiway to defeat himself.

From an independent artist narrative perspective: The beef complicated Emiway’s positioning. While he maintained his independent status and continued building his career, the beef’s resolution undermined his narrative of being unstoppable or unfazed by establishment opposition.

The Legacy and Impact on Indian Hip-Hop

The Emiway vs KR$NA beef occurred during what many now consider Indian hip-hop’s golden age of competitive lyricism. The beef helped elevate both artists’ profiles and, more importantly, elevated the entire scene. The diss tracks were analyzed obsessively, spawned hundreds of reaction videos, and introduced millions of Indians to hip-hop’s competitive culture.

Technical Standards and Expectations

The beef established KR$NA as the technical standard-bearer for Indian hip-hop. His approach to lyricism, wordplay, and strategic composition influenced how subsequent artists approached diss tracks. The bar was raised significantly—future beefs would be judged against the technical excellence demonstrated in tracks like “Seedha Makeover” and “Machayenge 4.”

The Limits of Aggression

Perhaps the most important legacy was establishing the limits of acceptable aggression in hip-hop discourse. Emiway’s crossing of personal boundaries in his final track demonstrated that Indian hip-hop audiences, while appreciating hard-hitting competition, still maintain certain ethical boundaries. The community’s strong negative reaction sent a message that purely personal attacks and family disrespect would not be tolerated.