Foundationing : How Rap Cyphers Helped Build Indian Hip-Hop

Long before viral reels and streaming stats, hip‑hop’s proving ground was a circle. There, MCs stood shoulder to shoulder - not for fame, but for respect. In the raw, unfiltered arena of the rap cypher, skills were tested, reputations forged, and the culture sharpened its edge.

The term cypher finds its roots in the Five‑Percent Nation, also known as the Nation of Gods and Earths; a Harlem‑based movement from the mid‑1960s. In NGE teachings, “cipher” referred to circles where lessons and knowledge were shared. As hip‑hop emerged, MCs adopted this setting for lyrical exchange, turning communal rhythms into competitive, expressive forums.

In India, cypher culture first thrived online: mid‑2000s Orkut communities and early Facebook groups like Insignia hosted text battles and video submissions, connecting a scattered generation of rappers. Soon, offline gatherings emerged: meetups at Shivaji Park, street corners, and college campuses; unpolished but fueled by pure talent over showmanship.

Across the country, cyphers have taken shape in ways that reflect each city’s own scene. In Delhi, pioneers like the late Knuckle Dusta, Ghost Status, Panini, and Rawal, along with collectives such as SpitDope turned street gatherings into proving grounds for emerging talent. In Mumbai, crews like Mumbai’s Finest and The HipHop Movement brought up artists including Divine, MC Altaf, Poetik Justis, D’Evil, and Gravity, sharpening their skills in public circles before they hit the studio. Bangalore saw MCs like Brodha V, Smokey the Ghost, Big Deal, and Charles Dickenson drawing crowds to parks, basketball courts, and street corners.

This collaborative energy fueled the rise of gully rap; later thrust into the limelight by Gully Boy. In the film, Muraad’s verse “Asli Hip Hop” unfolds within a cypher, paying homage to its dual role as testing ground and stage.

The Vice Asia documentary Kya Bolta Bantai? – The Rise of Mumbai Rap, directed by Naman Saraiya, showcased the power of cyphers in Indian hip‑hop’s growth. Released in early 2019, the film reveals how raw circles of rhyme shaped lyrical identities, built community, and served as stepping stones to the mainstream for many.

Mumbai Rap Cypher (2011)
Produced by Instine                                                                                                            Featuring Rapper Big Deal, G nie, Reble, Rahul Rajkhowa, Cizzy

Indian Rap Cypher (Bangalore) - 2014                                                                              Produced by Brodha V                                                                                                    Featuring Charles Dickenson, BigDeal, Smokey The Ghost and Brodha V

Indian Rap Cypher (Bangalore) - 2014                                                                              Produced by Brodha V                                                                                                    Featuring Xstacy Sash, Lil B, Main-E-Yak              

Delhi Rap Cypher (2014)                                                                                            Produced by Sez On The Beat                                                                                    Featuring Ghost Status, Knuckle Dusta, Panini, Rawal, dM and MC Heam

THE OG CYPHER (2014)                                                                                            Produced by Sez on The Beat                                                                                            Featuring Kav-E, Enkore, D’EVIL, Poetik Justis and Divine

The Shudh Desi Cypher (2015)                                                                                    Produced by D-Hood & Basicc Beatz                                                                            Featuring Stony Psyko, A.B.Y, Tod Fod, Kinga Rhymes, Mawali & Ace

Kolkata Rap Cypher (2015)                                                                                          Produced by Cizzy                                                                                                        Featuring Joe, Cizzy, Hardknok, Feyago, Philip, Harsha and A-List

India Rap Cypher Volume 1 (2015)                                                                        Beatboxing by Shlokahari                                                                                              Featuring Stony Psyko, Rac, MC Mawali, MC Tod Fod, Prof. Deman, Emiway

Indian Rap Cypher Volume 2 (2017)                                                                                beatboxing by Nexus                                                                                              Featuring Stony Psyko, 100RBH, MC Altaf, MC Scam, Sense and Amy True

THHM - STREET MIX VOL.1 - POSSE CUT (2018)
Produced by Shinji                                                                                                                Featuring D’Evil, Adro, Shaikhspeare, X-Centrik, Jay Kila, Gravity, Rhymix, EMF, Rapture And Sai

Kya Bolta Bantai? – The Rise of Mumbai Rap
Directed by Naman Saraiya (2018)

This 30-minute film, produced and directed by Naman Saraiya for Vice India, charts the explosive rise of gully rap—Mumbai’s gritty, vernacular street-rap movement that blends local slang, raw lyricism, and cultural authenticity. Through intimate interviews, archival footage, and narrative beats, Kya Bolta Bantai? unfolds how low-key rap battles and community collectives morphed into a mainstream phenomenon—culminating in Bollywood’s embrace, notably with Zoya Akhtar’s Gully Boy.

Asli Hip-Hop
From Gully Boy; Beatboxers: D-Cypher & BeatRAW, Written and Composed by Spitfire

Gully Boy (2019), directed by Zoya Akhtar, is inspired by Mumbai rappers Divine and Naezy. Its promotional track “Asli Hip Hop”, written by Spitfire, features Ranveer Singh alongside artists like D’EVIL, Emiway Bantai, and others. Shot as a street cypher, the scene captures the raw energy and competitive spirit of Mumbai’s rap battles. By bringing local rappers into the frame, it gave mainstream audiences an unfiltered glimpse into India’s gully rap culture.

Ranveer Singh with Underground Indian Rappers

Gully Gang Cypher (2019)
Produced by Shah Rule and Karan Kanchan                                                                  Featuring Aavrutti (Frenzzy, Sledge, Sammohit, Saifan), D’Evil, Shah Rule

Northeast Cypher (2020)                                                                                          Produced by Spider                                                                                                Featuring Borkung Hrangkhawl, Moksh, UNB, K4 Kekho, Sikdar, Moko Koza, Freakyy, Jelo, AP, Yelhomie & Young Dirrt.

Goa Rap Cypher (2021)
Produced by Tsumyoki                                                                                              Featuring Shantshakti, Bongisio, Kidd Mange, BMD, Tsumyoki, Dr. Coke, Dimaag, Azidre, Waking Grunt

Mehfil Cypher (2021)                                                                                                Produced by Akash Shravan                                                                                        Featuring Yashraj, MC Kode, Yungsta and Enkore

Rani Cypher (2021)                                                                                                    Produced by Raja Kumari, Nacho Larraza, Karan Panda                                            Featuring Raja Kumari, Dee MC, SIRI and Meba Ofilia

East India Cypher (2025)                                                                                                      Produced by Big Deal                                                                                                  Featuring Rapper Big Deal, G nie, Reble, Rahul Rajkhowa, Cizzy