From Hanumankind's rise to superstardom to the return of Gully Fest, Indian hip-hop continues its rise to prominence on the international music scene in 2024. Most recently, acclaimed rappers Sidhu Moose Wala and Badshah have made history as the only Indian artists to enter Spotify's prestigious list of the top 10 most followed global hip-hop artists.
Punjabi legend Moose Wala, who passed in 2022, achieved this remarkable feat posthumously. His inclusion in the top 5 alongside is a testament to his immense talent and dedicated fanbase he cultivated during the tenure of his career. Likewise, music mogul Badshah, whose consistent success and influence has propelled him to the forefront of the global hip-hop scene, joins Moose Wala in the top 10.
Other artists on the list include high profile names such as Drake, Travis Scott, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Juice WRLD and XXXTentacion.
Commenting on this historic achievement, Badshah shares, "It's surreal to think that just a few years ago, Indian hip-hop was still an underground movement. Today, we're sharing the stage with some of the biggest names in the industry. It's a bittersweet feeling to celebrate this achievement without Sidhu paaji by our side. His loss is deeply felt by the entire hip-hop community. His legacy will forever inspire us to push the boundaries and represent our culture on a global scale. We'll continue to carry his torch and make him proud.”
Badshah's psoition on this list was boldstered by chart-topping hit ‘Soulmate’. The track, taken off his 3rd studio album Ek Tha Raja, has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify. The song was a collaboration between Badshah and the renowned singer Arijit Singh, who himself recently overtook Taylor Swift to become the most-followed musician on Spotify.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the overwhelming response to 'Soulmate.' Reaching this milestone is a dream come true, and it wouldn't have been possible without the support of my fans and Arijit dada. I'm excited to continue creating music that resonates with people around the world," Badshah shares.
Other Punjabi artists such as Diljit Dosanjh and Karan Aujla also made significant strides, securing the 15th and 38th positions respectively.
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