India's rap and pop are both loud right now. Mumbai's gully rap, which Divine helped carry into the mainstream, is still the reference point, and a newer crop of Hindi rappers is coming up through the independent circuit to push it further. The Spotify RAP91 Live bill, returning to Mumbai later this month, reads like a map of regional scenes: Haryanvi, Gujarati, Tamil, Kerala, Mizo and Bihari acts sharing one stage in nine languages. Pop is booming too. I-pop made up half of the platform's 2025 India Top 10, and W.i.S.H. are pushing the sound toward a global stage with a paired comeback that aims well beyond home.
This month the WorldWidePop playlist took in seven videos. Six are throwbacks that have been on YouTube for years, including Befikre's "Nashe Si Chadh Gayi", Baar Baar Dekho's "Kala Chashma" and Swet Shop Boys' "T5", plus Ozuna's "Dile Que Tu Me Quieres", which sits next to the Swet Shop Boys' "Aaja". The one new arrival is Jessie Lyngdoh's "Cocoa Butter" with B4NDIT, a fresh video from this year that shows the playlist still has room for raw, current sounds beside the classics.
Listeners are writing in from Bangladesh, the United States and Türkiye. Keep an eye on the MAX URB_N UN-MUTE Rap Tour, which takes open cyphers through Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi and Chennai, where the next generation of freestyle voices will test themselves in public.
Sources
- October Unplugged: Indie Music of the Month
- W.i.S.H. returns with ‘Kasoor’ and ‘Doori’, bringing two sides of love to life
- Spotify RAP91 Live Returns With Divine, Arivu, and More
- The Homegrown Handpicked Playlist September 2026: Sijya, The F16s,Priya Ragu & More | Homegrown
- Your Freestyle Could Make You India’s Next Big Rapper At The MAX URB_N UN-MUTE Rap Tour - The Indian Music Diaries
- COVER STORY: Sanju Rathod, Farhan Khan and Anurag Saikia Are Leading The Indie Upheaval
- Keh Do Na (Kehdo Na, 2026) - Non-Film Song | MySwar
- From OutStation to W.i.S.H: The Gen Z pop group era begins, and here's all you need to know about it
The India scene on WorldWidePop – the music videos we are following from India, 28 and counting. Press play and let it run.
I'm leaving a coment so don't let me forget about this kashmiri boy's masterpiece ❤️🔥.
♥ 5"Tumhe dekh ke hum bol hi na paaye "🫳🏻🥀
♥ 19💔🥀 Man i miss her ..
♥ 2Only ahmer can do this ❤️🔥
♥ 2Finest for a reason!
Ahmer and rishab, such an amazing song yrr ❤✨️
♥ 2AHMER X RISHAB X ARIF X TABISH = ✨️🌸 GHUM
♥ 2I’m so happy to have discovered your music! I love exploring different genres and discovering music from all over the world, but I have a special place in my heart for South Asian music. Over time, my algorithm somehow led me to "Ghum", and I’m so glad it did.
I’m Mexican, and I have no idea what the lyrics mean, yet I get goosebumps every single time I listen to this song. And it’s not just Ghum. I’ve listened to some of your other creations, and they truly feel like art for the ears and the soul. ✨
I hope more and more people get the chance to discover your music and experience the passion, talent, and dedication you and your team put into every creation. Thank you for sharing your art with the world. ❤️
Btw this video music got released just one day before my bday, will take it as a gift, thanks! ❤
♥ 1Finest in the Kashmir
Getting better day by day...🕊️
Bro You will make proud India.... 🇮🇳
♥ 1❤❤❤Ahmer your lyrics ❤❤❤
Wo bole mai hu pagal kahan ,mai hu dariya se dhub ke wapas aana 💔
♥ 3Ahmer bhaii dil se pyaar ❤
♥ 3If feelings could be seen, this is how they would look ✨🛐
♥ 2simply heartless me and you 🤟🏼🫰🏻
♥ 2