Bangladeshi hip hop is a genre of music and culture that covers a variety of styles of hip hop music developed in Bangladesh. It is heavily influenced by American hip hop, and started in the early 1990s. In recent years, artists have used lyrical expressions for cultural identity, with lyrics addressing Bangladesh's political and social problems, lifestyles, nature, cultures, and communities. Hip hop in today's era has earn great impact in[Bangladesh. Many groups and individual artists in Bangladesh are gaining infamous farm in this genre. Reportedly, Hip hop is one of the most fastest growing foreign music genre in Bangladesh.[1]
History
Early Years (1993-2005)
In early 1993, Ashraf Babu and Charu first introduced rap music in the Bengali-language music industry. They released an album called Tri-Rotner Khepa, which was the first Bengali rap music album.[2]The album started hip hop to be known in the country. In the 2000s, Many Bangladeshi youths showed there interest in hip hop and created such groups. In 2004, A group of eight Bangladeshis who shared a passion for rap music came together and formed a hip-hop crew named "Stoic Bliss". The group introduced Banglish, a rap fusion in Bangla rap. Stoic Bliss ventured into the music industry in Bangladesh with a view to introducing a new genre of music. They dropped there first album in 2006 signing with G-Series. In 2005, a Individual rapper named Shaon Ahmed known by 'Fokir Lal Miah' , a Bangladeshi in USA dropped an album named "Quest for Glory". However the album was a flop, But Shaon Ahmed didn't gave up and dropped another album named “Ekla Eksho”. A week after the album was released, it recorded 30,000 units sold in less than a month period just in the UK. In his hit single “Lal Ekla Eksho” he blasted a war criminal of 1971 who is also known as a prominent religious figure of Bangladesh and went under ruthless attacks and criticisms. His album changed the Bangla hip hop scene Shaon Ahmed later was recognized as "Fokir Lal" by peoples, This led alot of studios to feel interest of making hip hop albums.[3]
The Rising Era (2006-2018)
Stoic Bliss debut album named "Light Years Ahead" with G-Series sold over 250,000 copies within 10 months,[4] making Stoic Bliss to left a insane impact and rise of hip hop in Bangladesh. Most notable song in that album was "Abar Jigay" and "Mayabi Chokh". In 2006, Deshi MCs was formed. Who introduced the Banglish Gangsta hip hop. In the same year, they released there first named "Banned 1.0". Which became a huge success, one of the album song named "Genjam" spread all around and became real quick one of the most replied on radio. At this point, hip hop was quickly rising in Bangladesh, especially among students. From 2007 to 2010, Many hip hop groups in Bangladesh was being formed. Bangla hip hop and rap was also gaining millions of views on YouTube and Internet. Uptown Lokolz was also a Bangladeshi hip hop group who gained insane amount of frame. They released there first album name "Kahini Scene Paat [Explicit]". The most notable song from that album was "Ai Mama Ai" which got brilliant response worldwide. Many Rappers popularity from different group spread and started to attend live radio. Notable rappers like Mc Mugz, Ac1d, Kazi, Black Zang, Mc Shaq, Skibkhan, X Flowrical, ABD were the most talented rappers from that era.[5] In 2009, Grand T became the first Bangladeshi rapper to do a international collaboration from Bangladesh. Many Bangla hip hop albums at that time was succeeding sales wise. In 2010, T.O.R. named a Bangladeshi hip hop group released a album named " Hip Hop Jaati" which was a great success.[6].In 2011 T.O.R. released "Hip Hop Jaati 2.0" which was a collaboration from different group artists like Uptown Lokolz, Thugz of Dhaka, Mc Shaq from Deshi MCs etc.[7] . Hip hop was at that stage already became a noticeable genre in Bangla music. In 2014, MC Mugz from Deshi MCs and Shafayet From T.O.R. joined the Jalali Set. In 2015 they released a song named "Sura Target" which eventually got viral on internet.[8] This let Jalali Set to acquire alot of frame. Soon they released there first album named "Level 13" which end up being one of the most successful debut album for any Bangladeshi hip hop group.[9] One of the song named "Bonobasher Shadon" gone down as one of the most iconic Bangla rap song. In 2017, Both Stoic Bliss and Deshi MCs, who were not releasing a album for long made a comeback in mainstream with new songs.[10] Especially Deshi MCs who put a last diss track named " BODYBAGS" on there opponent rival Uptown Lokolz and Stoic Bliss who were having a beef with them since Skibkhan diss made on Kazi in 2010[11]. in 2018, Many rap songs on internet went viral which made Bangla hip hop to gain more and more audience.
In 2004, Queens based Bangladeshi hiphop group Stoic Bliss was formed.[12] They first introduced Banglish (Bangla-English), a rap fusion in Bangla rap. Stoic Bliss was the very first to introduce hip-hop to Bangladesh through blogs before social media existed quickly gaining popularity in the underground music scene in Bangladesh. Their debut album Lights Years Ahead was released in Bangladesh under the G-Series banner in June 2006.[13] The single "Abar Jigay" from their first album gave the group its notability among the Bengali community. The Light Years Ahead album sold well over 250,000 copies within the first 10 months, making Stoic Bliss an emerging mainstream music group in Bangladesh.[4]
Deshi MCs
Dhaka based crew Deshi MCs was formed in 2006. MC Shaq, Xplosive, and Skibkhan were the founding members. Later, another member, MC Mugz, joined the group. They first introduced gangsta rap to the Bangladeshi culture. In 2006, they released their first studio album named Banned.[10] They are known as the pioneers of Banglish Gangsta Rap.
Uptown Lokolz
Another crew from Dhaka City named Uptown Lokolz was formed in 2008. In the same year, they released their first album, "Kahini Scene Paat [Explicit]".The single "Ai Mama Ai" from their first album was well received nationwide.[14][15]
Jalali Set
Jalali Set is one of the finest Hip hop crew from the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The rappers involved are Mc Mugz, Double S, Shadhu and Jalali Shafayat. In 2015 Jalali set got their attention to Public by releasing their song Sura Target on YouTube.
Later in 2016 they released their album “Level 13” which got recognition for the local Sound and raw slangs of Dhaka[8]
1230 Klassick
1230 Klassick is a hip-hop group from Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh. This group consists of artists THE BEASTBUZZ, CHEF-IQ, and Coldkraft. They have released an EP called "Dirty Skills" featuring underground rappers SHEZAN, Janowar and T.Zed in 20 August 2021. More recently SHEZAN and Hannan has created a sub-crew named KILLAZ-Culture and they have published their album OUTLAWZ - The First Chapter in November 10, 2022.
Comilla Hip Hop Hood
Comilla Hip Hop Hood (CHH) is a hip-hop collective from Comilla. Comilla Hip Hop Hood is playing a vital role in Bangla hip hop industry since 2007. It's a collective group of Rappers, B boys, Graffiti Artist, Stunner,Beat Boxer, Composer, Vfx / Gfx Designers.[16]
