Hip-hop followers in India have loads to stay up for this December. Rolling Loud India has introduced the lineup for its 2026 version, bringing Burna Boy, Metro Boomin, Skepta and Huge Sean to the nation for his or her first-ever India performances. Karan Aujla, who headlined the competition final yr, will return to steer the lineup on day two.
Rolling Loud India 2026 lineup introduced
The competition kicks off on December 12 with Burna Boy and Metro Boomin closing out the primary day. Each artists will carry out in India for the primary time, giving followers an opportunity to see them dwell with out travelling abroad. Burna Boy, who received the Grammy for Finest International Music Album for Twice as Tall, has constructed a worldwide following together with his mix of Afrobeats and different musical influences. He additionally grew to become the primary African artist to headline a UK stadium, making his India debut a serious addition to the competition.
Metro Boomin, in the meantime, is understood for the darkish, cinematic sound that has formed a few of hip-hop’s greatest hits. His collaborations with Future, 21 Savage, Drake, Travis Scott and The Weeknd have made him one of many style’s most recognisable producers. His debut solo album, Not All Heroes Put on Capes, topped the Billboard 200 in 2018.
Huge Sean may also carry out in India for the primary time. The multi-platinum rapper and songwriter, who has obtained Grammy nominations, joins a day-one lineup that features GoldLink, Dhanda Nyoliwala, slayr, ApolloRed1, Paal Dabba, SoSoCamo, Metal Banglez, Snappy Kaal and Jorjiana, amongst others.
Karan Aujla returns as headliner, Skepta makes India debut on day 2
December 13 will see Karan Aujla headline Rolling Loud India for the second yr operating. On the competition’s first Indian version in 2025, he grew to become the primary international Punjabi artist to headline the occasion. British rapper Skepta is one other main draw on day two. The artist, who helped take grime music from London’s streets to a worldwide viewers, will carry out his first and solely present in India on the competition.
Skepta is about to launch The Fork and Knife on November 6, 2026. The album marks his first solo launch since 2019’s Ignorance Is Bliss. His collaborators embody Chase & Standing, Solomun and Dom Dolla. The second day may also function ScHoolboy Q, Seedhe Maut, BabyChiefDoIt, Wazir Patar, Raja Kumari and NAVZ-47, alongside different performers.
Indian artists get their house
Indian hip-hop has a powerful presence throughout the competition’s lineup. Greater than 10 artists with Indian roots are a part of the 30-act invoice, showing throughout totally different efficiency slots relatively than being restricted to the undercard.
The lineup displays how hip-hop has grown throughout languages and areas in India. Punjabi rap is represented by Karan and Wazir Patar, whereas Delhi duo Seedhe Maut brings its distinctive sound to the competition. Dhanda Nyoliwala represents Haryanvi hip-hop, Paal Dabba brings Tamil rap to the stage, MC Gawthi represents Marathi rap and Snappy Kaal provides a Gujarati voice to the combo.
Different names on the invoice embody Vichaar, Robb Financial institution$, DJ 5 Venoms, DJ EJ, Ravator, The Spindoctor, 2slimey and Shikriwal.
Extra particulars on the competition
Matt Zingler, Co-Founder and CEO of Rolling Loud, mentioned the response from Indian audiences helped form the competition’s strategy to its second version. He mentioned, “One factor that basically stood out to us in India was how open the followers had been to every part. If the music connects, they present up for it. That’s influenced how we’ve approached this yr’s lineup – bringing worldwide and Indian artists collectively throughout each days and making it really feel like one competition, not two totally different worlds.”
Rahul Ganjoo, CEO of District, mentioned the crew paid consideration to India’s grassroots hip-hop scene whereas placing collectively the lineup, trying on the artists drawing crowds at native gigs and cyphers. He added, “Stroll right into a cypher in Delhi or a small gig in Mumbai and you will notice who folks truly flip up for. And it’s hardly ever the identical checklist of artists you’d see on social media. Hip-hop in India has all the time moved by cyphers, small reveals, and other people placing one another on, and that’s the place we seemed once we constructed this yr’s invoice. On the first version, the group did not skinny out between the worldwide units and the Indian ones, and that instructed us the viewers was already a step forward of the trade. This line up is constructed on what we noticed.”
About Rolling Loud India 2026
Rolling Loud is a worldwide hip-hop competition that brings collectively established artists, rising expertise and followers throughout 4 continents and 9 international locations. The small print in regards to the venue, competition timings and different bulletins shall be shared quickly. The competition will happen on December 12 and 13, 2026.