For Export: How Shreyas Delivered Marathi Rap to The World

In Berlin clubs, at weddings in Mumbai, and on reels looping endlessly online, the chant of “lakalakalaka” lands with the same energy. Taambdi Chaamdi may have carried Shreyas into the global spotlight, but it grew out of years of steady work in street cyphers, and online communities where raw verses turned into the voice of a growing scene.

Emerging in India’s underground battle leagues, Shreyas honed his quick wit and sharp delivery, shaping the way he continues to write and perform. In Pune’s creative circles, collaborations like Gutter Rich with Vedang and That Dude AJ added to a body of music that carried the restless energy of a scene still finding its footing.

Early releases like Bring Back the Flowerboy EP and 2 Rotis Is Enough laid the groundwork, earning Shreyas a loyal underground base. That momentum led to SBTF Vol. 1 in 2022, where tracks like Paristhiti and Bharlela Taat broke into playlists and were celebrated by both mainstream listeners and the underground.

Even as his profile grew, Shreyas stayed close to his listeners through The Living Room sessions giving fans a chance to hear unreleased material in small, intimate spaces.

By 2023, tracks such as Kaapsacha Kaalij, Remember Me, and Uddhat blended Marathi lyricism with global production, pointing to a growing appetite for his sound. Each release added to a catalogue that was becoming distinct within Indian hip-hop.

Taambdi Chaamdi, made with Kratex and released on Spinnin’ Records, became the first Marathi track picked up by a global electronic label. The song’s sharp, rhythmic hook spread like wildfire on social media, while remixes by artists like KSHMR carried it into global festival sets. From celebrities to families at home, the chant caught on, and abroad it echoed in clubs and playlists across Germany, the UK, the US, and beyond.

The Grammys named Shreyas one of six Indian hip-hop artists the world should know; yet what stands out is how little he has shifted his core. Growing up across Ratnagiri, Mumbai, and Pune, learning Bhaktigeete from his grandfather on the harmonium and dholak - Shreyas has given Marathi rap a place on global stages without treating it as a novelty.

Battle Rap Background

From his teenage years, Shreyas cut his teeth in Mumbai’s B3 battle circuit and other underground rap leagues. These contests forced him to think quickly, sharpen punchlines, and claim room to speak in a crowded art form. He traded bravado for precision, building resilience in the face of jeers and tight time limits foundational skills that still echo in his music.

Gutter Rich
Shreyas, That Dude AJ and Vedang

“Gutter Rich,” a collaboration between Shreyas, Vedang, and That Dude AJ, became a cult favourite in India’s underground rap circles. Its raw production and unapologetic tone resonated with independent artists across cities. The track sparked multiple remixes from names like Gravity, Farhan Khan, Rhymix, and Smoke, turning it into a shared canvas for a new wave of Marathi and Hindi rappers finding their voice outside the mainstream.

Bharlela Taat
Stop Bullshittin’ the Fans Vol. 1

Released in 2022, Stop Bullshittin’ the Fans Vol. 1 captured the raw, unfiltered edge of Marathi hip-hop. Across its 13 minutes, Shreyas and producer Vedang built a tape that felt immediate and self-assured. “Bharlela Taat” shows Shreyas writing from a place of familiarity. He talks about monotony, hunger, and the noise that comes with chasing something bigger.

Paristhiti (Live)
Stop Bullshittin’ the Fans Vol. 1

The most celebrated track from Stop Bullshittin’ the Fans Vol. 1, “Paristhiti” marked a turning point for Marathi hip-hop. Shreyas raps about circumstance and self-awareness with a calm precision that contrasts the beat’s urgency. Produced by Vedang, the track found its way into major playlists and independent rap circles alike, becoming a benchmark for how regional language could carry hip-hop’s weight with clarity and intent.

Haadacha Kalakaar
Shreyas and Devonian

Released after the success of Stop Bullshittin’ the Fans Vol. 1, “Haadacha Kalakaar” reinforced Shreyas’s position as one of Marathi rap’s most distinctive voices. The track reflects on creative exhaustion and the constant grind behind visibility. Its writing is sharp yet introspective, showing an artist aware of both his limits and his purpose turning struggle itself into a form of authorship.

Kaapsacha Kalij
Shreyas and Devonian

In “Kaapsacha Kalij,” Shreyas focuses on working-class routines and small frictions  commutes, budgets, and the push to keep creating set over Devonian’s minimal production. Noted by TIMD for its grounded detail, it marked a clear post-SBTF statement of tone and intent.

Uddhat
Shreyas and Vedang

“Uddhat” channels the energy that defines Shreyas’s collaboration with Vedang direct, confident, and unmistakably rooted in their shared sound. The song’s title, meaning “rebellious” or “unrestrained,” mirrors its tone. Over a stripped, percussive beat, Shreyas delivers verses that blur the line between assertion and reflection. It became one of his defining tracks of 2023, signaling Marathi rap’s growing command over modern production.

Taambdi Chaamdi
Shreyas and Kratex

“Taambdi Chaamdi” by Shreyas and Kratex became the first Marathi track to be signed by Spinnin’ Records. Its hook “lakalakalaka”  a celebration of brown skin and self-pride  turned into a viral chant across social media. The song crossed 4.2 million Spotify streams, topped Spotify India’s Daily Viral charts, and was played in clubs and festivals worldwide.