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Rap Culture Takes Root in Amravati

Rap Culture Takes Root in Amravati
Rap Culture Takes Root in Amravati

Amravati, a city of around 8.5 lakh people in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, has become an unexpected hub for hip hop. The city, surrounded by hills and historically associated with farming communities and adivasi populations, now hosts a growing rap scene that challenges conventional narratives about where Indian hip hop can flourish.


The movement in Amravati represents a broader shift in how young people from smaller towns are claiming space within India's evolving music landscape. While Mumbai and Delhi have long dominated discussions about Indian hip hop, Vidarbha has quietly developed its own distinct voice. This voice speaks not in borrowed accents but in Varhadi, the regional dialect of Marathi that has become central to how local artists express their realities.


Saurabh Abhyankar, known professionally as 100RBH, stands at the forefront of this movement. Born in 1998 in the Bicchu Tekadi area of Amravati, he grew up exposed to the revolutionary songs associated with Babasaheb Ambedkar and peace-promoting music that shaped his artistic foundation.


His journey began during school days when he consistently won hip hop contests, catching the attention of local artists and leading to collaborations with rap groups like AMT and later Swadesi. During his childhood in his hometown, he heard revolutionary and peace-promoting music, as well as Qawwali and other local music that would become the basis of his art. His decision to rap primarily in Hindi and Marathi stems from a belief that his own people can relate more to his music and absorb his message when delivered in their languages.


The 2022 film Jhund, directed by Nagraj Manjule and starring Amitabh Bachchan, featured 100RBH's rap contribution in the track "Laat Maar". This collaboration marked a significant milestone, bringing Amravati's rap scene to national attention through a biographical sports drama about Nagpur. The film was shot in Nagpur and released in theatres on 4 March 2022. His track reflected themes central to his artistry, addressing discrimination and societal issues through hard-hitting rhymes.


In October 2023, 100RBH appeared on MTV Hustle 3, where his performance of songs like "Amravati Potta" catapulted him into the national spotlight. The track, which reflects his hometown, has garnered 2.8 million views on YouTube and received continuous praise.


His appearance on the show earned him recognition as a conscious rapper from Amravati who impresses audiences with impactful performances that tackle important issues through hard-hitting rhymes. As a second runner-up of MTV Hustle 3.0, he returned to Amravati in December 2023 to a spectacular welcome rally organised in his honour, with the city buzzing with excitement as fans showed their love and support for their hometown rap sensation.


Collectives, Language and Community


American rapper Tupac Shakur served as a major influence on artists like Vipin Tatad, who learned to rap by listening to Tupac's politically charged music.

Tatad also drew inspiration from the songs and poems of Vaman Kardak and Vitthal Umap, Ambedkarite artists from Maharashtra whose work addressed caste oppression and social justice.


This blend of global hip hop sensibilities and local Ambedkarite consciousness characterises much of Amravati's rap output.

Raptoli, formed by lead rapper Vipin Tatad (VIP) in 2015, represents another significant collective in Amravati. The group, which includes Gaurav Ingole (Charlie), Mangesh Ingole (Vardaan), and later Tauseef Khan (TMK), produces what they describe as valiant raps on intimate social, cultural and political issues that continue to hobble Indian society in the 21st century. The four members live in slum settlements in Amravati and met on social media. Tatad, Khan, and the Ingole brothers come from Dalit and marginalised communities. Their music explores casteism, education inequality, health, farmer issues, gender, Islamophobia and contemporary politics.


Khan makes his music despite his parents' disapproval, as they say it is haram in Islam. He wants to rap because many residents of his neighbourhood have been arrested and detained under what he claims are false charges. The group's socially and politically charged lyricism opens eyes to burning questions like caste oppression and violence. In their March 2022 release focusing on a sports teacher training young men from a slum to play football, the crew brought greater prominence to their work.


Tatad contributed rap to the Jhund film's background score, with his lyrics recorded from an Amravati studio. His rap for the film addressed the struggles of Jhoparpatti dwellers and celebrated the resilience of marginalised communities.


100RBH joined Swadesi, India's first multilingual hip hop crew, whose ethos centres on "music with a cause". He released several tracks as part of this socially conscious collective of rappers, writers, music producers and performers whose art aimed to wake up society from its slumber.


His time in Swadesi was one of the most dangerous things he ever did because of the band's outspoken views on reforms and right-wing politics. The crew, founded in 2013, now features rappers MC Mawali, Maharya, 100RBH, MC TodFod, producers DJ BamBoy, RaaKshaS, NAAR, WhayL, and graffiti artist Lobster. True to their collective name, Swadesi performs raps in a variety of domestic languages, including Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, and Marathi.


Sound, Venues and Regional Influence


In his rural hometown of Amravati, few people were even aware of what hip hop was when he started. People did not know about the industry, and he had to hustle just to persuade locals to come to his shows.


Yet in time, ever since the money started flowing in, other parents have been telling his mother that they want their sons to find a career in the music industry too.

For 100RBH, a music career was not on the table initially. Growing up in a traditional Indian household, he was instructed by his father to find a respectable job that would earn him a daily wage. But the 24-year-old had other ideas.


His foundation for his musical vision rests on a strong set of beliefs, one of which is that the actual content of his music is much more important than the language he raps in.

He chooses to rap in Hindi and Marathi so that his own people can relate more to his music and absorb his message. In 2022, he signed with rapper Divine's Gully Gang Entertainment, whose pedigree is socially-conscious rap music. On the heels of this association, he announced his brand-new Marathi single "Zanjeer", which was released on Gully Gang Records on 21 January 2022.


The single, produced by Karan Kanchan, showcases his penchant for razor-sharp lyrics, socio-political critique and witty humour. The music video, directed by Joel D'souza, was shot in the busy streets of Amravati as a mark of respect to his cultural roots.


Society at large is taking giant leaps when it comes to better forms of food, housing, technology, and education, but people continue to undermine that progress by discriminatory practices on the basis of race, gender and caste. His single was inspired and dedicated to the progressive movement spearheaded by his role model, Babasaheb Ambedkar. He writes revolutionary songs to spotlight attention on critical issues that have social relevance, and his art is a representation of social issues.


Amravati Hip Hop Cult represents the organic hip hop elements from the city. The collective brings together rappers, bboys, graffiti artists, beatboxers and more who speak in pure Varhadi. They organise cypher gigs that have become gathering points for local talent. The community represents the Varhadi culture and aims to represent the sound of Amravati. These cyphers provide platforms where emerging artists can showcase their skills and connect with peers.


The Amravati rap scene also benefits from collaborations with neighbouring cities. Green Gang Music Records in Nagpur has produced the Nagpur Vidarbha Rap Cypher 2022, featuring 12 rappers with unique flows. This cypher, produced by Aggy and mixed by Abhijay, brought together artists like Young Zwann, Yedaanna, Lil Torture, Sid, Tamhan, Uproar, Rocha, Myt Mic, Mr. Vampire, BluePrime, Shushant Jibhe, and RapShell. The video showcased the collaborative spirit of Vidarbha's rap movement.


Wardha, another city in Vidarbha, has developed its own hip hop scene with events like Wardha's Wisdom.

The crowd has gone wild at these events, with an unpredictable hip hop scene emerging in the region. When beat switches drop, crowds respond with intense energy, showing the growing appetite for this music among local youth. Artists and organisers describe the scene as bringing out new and fresh talent.


Language, Social Issues and Afterword


The Varhadi dialect plays a crucial role in how Amravati rappers construct their identities. Varhadi, also known as Varhadi-Nagpuri, is a dialect of Marathi spoken in Vidarbha and by Marathi people in adjoining parts of Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.


The perfect Varhadi can be heard in Akola and Amravati districts. Varhadi replaces the case endings "lā" and "nā" of standard Marathi with "le", a feature it shares with the neighbouring Khandeshi language.

The dialect incorporates Hindi words that differ from standard Marathi, reflecting proximity to Hindi-speaking areas where linguistic exchange has shaped vocabulary.


Varhadi maintains words and phrases from older Marathi spoken 300 years ago or even prior, which have vanished from mainstream Marathi.


In the vocative case, "abe" is said in Varhadi instead of "are" of standard Marathi. The dialect has a few Sanskrit tatsama words for which standard Marathi counterparts are modified words, such as in the eastern parts of Vidarbha, where snake is called "sarpa" unlike "sāp" of standard Marathi. The forms of Varhadi vary in different parts of Vidarbha and also as per castes. The similarity to Central Indo Aryan languages increases as one moves towards Madhya Pradesh.


Amravati-based 100RBH raps in Varhadi, a local Marathi dialect that grounds his music in the specific cultural and linguistic reality of his region. This choice connects deeply with local audiences who hear their own speech patterns and cultural references reflected in the music. Artists from the region blend styles such as Karnataka folk and local storytelling, creating something that feels authentic rather than derivative.


The growth of hip hop in Amravati faces infrastructural challenges common to smaller cities in India. Venues, promoters and financial backing are not yet comparable to what exists in Mumbai or Delhi. Artists must navigate these limitations while building their careers. The lack of established infrastructure means rappers often self-produce, record in local studios, and rely on social media platforms to distribute their work. YouTube, Instagram and streaming services have democratised access, allowing artists to bypass traditional music industry gatekeepers.


Despite these challenges, the hunger and creativity of Amravati's artists drive the scene forward. Hip hop in the region is growing exponentially, with many new acts emerging. So many kids are picking up the craft and claiming it as their own, making the scene feel fresh. Artists, technicians and even some labels are beginning to see this as a viable business model. A lot more artists and technicians are getting paid now compared to earlier years. There is a business model that works, even though exposure came later to the region than to major cities.


Social issues form the thematic core of much Amravati rap. Artists address caste discrimination, economic inequality, lack of access to education and healthcare, and the systemic marginalisation of Dalit and Adivasi communities. Maharashtra's experience with poverty and inequality manifests clearly in districts like Amravati. Tribal adolescents in the region face stunting rates exceeding 40 percent. In Melghat, malnutrition claimed 175 young lives in 2022-23, one child every alternate day. This reality of deprivation shapes the urgency with which local rappers address social justice.


The influence of Babasaheb Ambedkar pervades Amravati's rap culture. As the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Ambedkar's philosophy emphasises liberty, equality and fraternity, resonates deeply with artists from marginalised communities. His three-fold mantra of "Educate, Organise, Agitate" continues to guide millions of youth today. He took a firm stand on women's rights, organised labourers, raised concerns about farmers, and presented a clear vision on issues like industrialisation. He looked at religion, traditions and customs with a rational eye and prioritised equality over blind faith.


In 1956, Ambedkar embraced Buddhism, not merely as a religious act but as a symbol of social dignity and rebellion against oppression. Millions followed in his footsteps, initiating the Neo-Buddhist movement. His work "The Buddha and His Dhamma" is not just a religious text but a philosophical treatise envisioning a new society.


Ambedkarism continues to inspire everyone from the most marginalised in society to those seeking to build a more equitable world. It is an ideology that encompasses liberty, equality, fraternity, social, economic and political justice, human dignity, secularism, democracy, socialism, and the empowerment of Dalits, tribals, women, farmers and labourers.


This Ambedkarite consciousness manifests in lyrics that critique caste hierarchies, demand substantive citizenship, and celebrate symbols of resistance like blue flags and statues of Babasaheb Ambedkar that are inherent parts of marginalised neighbourhoods. The rap produced in Amravati serves as dissent against narratives that exclude or marginalise communities, exemplifying aspirations of the whole subaltern class along with their assertion and insurgent citizenship.


Amravati's hip hop showcases in 2025 have drawn crowds eager to experience the local scene. Events featuring diverse lineups of performers demonstrate the breadth of talent emerging from the city. These gatherings serve as meeting points for the community, where creativity knows no bounds and love for music unites participants. Artists perform freestyle raps, showcasing skills honed through years of practice and participation in informal cyphers. The energy at these events reflects the growing confidence of local artists and the expanding audience for their work.


The trajectory of hip hop in Amravati reflects broader patterns in regional Indian rap. In 2023, close to 30 percent of all top 50 tracks in India were hip hop, according to Spotify data. Regional hip hop, including Marathi rap, has seen staggering growth rates. The emergence of regional rap and hip hop in India represents a fascinating story of cultural adaptation and grassroots innovation. The advent of YouTube and social media in the 2010s became a turning point for regional hip hop, as artists no longer had to rely on traditional music labels or mainstream platforms. This democratisation allowed voices from marginalised communities and smaller towns to rise.


Languages like Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Marathi, Bengali and Malayalam became vibrant mediums for expression. In Maharashtra, gully rap rose to prominence with artists creating tracks in Hindi and Marathi, drawing directly from their lives in bustling neighbourhoods. Their music, filled with gritty realism, struck a chord across India and gained international recognition. Mumbai has had a significant head start, with a community built from the grassroots level over the past five years, resulting in a vast audience and a thriving hip hop scene. This foundation is why Marathi hip hop has gained such prominence compared to other regional languages.


Amravati's position within this larger movement remains distinctive. The city's artists ground their work in local realities while engaging with broader conversations about social justice, identity and artistic expression. Unlike artists who chase mainstream acceptance, those in Amravati build from hyperlocal foundations. Each voice comes from a specific neighbourhood, whether Bicchu Tekadi or other slum areas, where daily struggles shape artistic output. Together, they map out a larger identity for Vidarbha's role in India's hip hop landscape.


The scene faces questions about sustainability and growth. Artists must balance maintaining authenticity with desires for wider recognition.

Language presents both strengths and limitations. While Varhadi and Marathi connect deeply with local audiences, they may constrain crossover appeal to pan-Indian or international markets. Some artists navigate this by mixing Hindi with regional dialects, creating hybrid forms that speak to multiple audiences without abandoning their roots.


The infrastructure gap remains significant. Recording studios in Amravati lack the technical sophistication of those in Mumbai or Pune. Access to professional producers, sound engineers and marketing support remains limited. Artists often fund their own projects, relying on small networks of supporters and whatever revenue they can generate through performances and streaming. This DIY ethos, while building resilience and community ownership, also limits production quality and distribution reach.

Hip hop's growth in Amravati has begun influencing local cultural expressions beyond music. Dance classes teaching hip hop styles have emerged, with studios offering instruction in breakdancing, popping, locking and other elements of hip hop culture. These classes provide physical fitness benefits while fostering creativity and self-expression among youth. Social interaction in these spaces helps build friendships and engage with the local dance community. As participants master new moves and perform in front of others, their self-esteem and confidence grow.


The future of Amravati's rap scene depends on continued community support, development of local infrastructure, and the ability of artists to navigate the tensions between authenticity and commercial viability. The hunger evident among young artists suggests the movement will continue growing. Whether this growth translates into sustainable careers for more than a handful of breakthrough artists remains to be seen.


What seems clear is that Amravati has established itself as a legitimate node in India's expanding hip hop network. The city's artists have proven that meaningful rap can emerge from unexpected places, speaking truths grounded in specific local realities while engaging universal themes of struggle, aspiration and resistance.


As more youth pick up microphones and claim this art form as their own, Vidarbha's contribution to Indian hip hop will only deepen.


The movement in Amravati demonstrates how cultural forms travel and transform. Hip hop, born in the Bronx and shaped by African American experiences of marginalisation, finds new life in Indian contexts where caste, class and regional identity create different but related structures of oppression. When local artists rap in Varhadi about issues facing their communities, they participate in a global tradition of using music as a tool for consciousness-raising and community building.


The stories emerging from Amravati's rap scene are stories of young people refusing to accept limitations imposed by geography, economic circumstance or social hierarchies.


They claim space in a rapidly changing cultural landscape, insisting their voices matter and their experiences deserve artistic expression.

Whether this movement produces the next national superstar matters less than the fact that it exists at all, providing outlets for creativity and platforms for critique that might not otherwise be available to youth in smaller cities across India.


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About the Author

The NewsDirt is a trusted source for authentic, ground-level journalism, highlighting the daily struggles, public issues, history, and local stories from Vidarbha’s cities, towns, and villages. Committed to amplifying voices often ignored by mainstream media, we bring you reliable, factual, and impactful reporting from Vidarbha’s grassroots.

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