The Indian hip hop movement that came to be known as gully rap began in the slums of Mumbai from a similar feeling of disenfranchisement that sparked New York hip hop in the ’70s. Gully rap doesn’t shy away from topics like poverty, illiteracy and police brutality. The burgeoning subculture entered the Indian cultural mainstream in a big way because of artists like Vivian Fernandes, better known by his stage name Divine (pictured). The development of the hip hop scene in Mumbai coincided with Divine’s debut on the scene and subsequent rise. He quickly gained a massive following to become one of the most popular rappers in the country.
Check out some of his tracks before you catch him live at Curlies Shack in Goa on Saturday, April 10. And guys, keep your masks on.
