Emiway Bantai
Emiway Bantai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Bilal Shaikh 13 November 1995 (age 30) |
| Origin | Mumbai, India |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2013-present |
| Label | Bantai Records |
Spouse | |
| Website | https://bantai.in |
Bilal Shaikh (born 13 November 1995), best known by his stage name Emiway Bantai, is an Indian hip-hop artist, rapper and producer.[1][2][3] An independent artist, he has built a fan base entirely through social media, releasing popular videos for singles such as "Machayenge" (2019) and "Firse Machayenge" (2020) to reach a global audience with hundreds of millions of views.[4][5] Inspired as a teen in Mumbai by American rapper Eminem. Emiway has collaborated with American rappers such as Macklemore, Snoop Dogg and Token.[2][6][3][7] He is also known for his involvements in major feuds with rappers like Raftaar, DIVINE, MC Stan, and KR$NA.[3][8]
Early life and education
Mohammed Bilal Shaikh was born in 1995 in Bengaluru, India.[3] Around the age of three, he moved with his father to Mumbai.[2] He grew up in Antop Hill, where he learned Mumbai slang.[9]
In 2010, his classmates introduced him to his first hip-hop track, "Not Afraid" by Eminem.[10] After dropping out from class 12, he became depressed and did not complete school.[1] To earn money, Shaikh worked as a helper at the Hard Rock Cafe.[1]
Career
2013-2017: Early years
Shaikh came up with the stage name Emiway by combining the names of two of his idols; Eminem and Lil Wayne.[2][11] Bantai is Mumbai slang for friend, brother, or "bro".[12]
In 2013, at the age of 18, Emiway Bantai released his debut track "Glint Lock (ft. Minta)", mostly in English.[13] The song failed to gain much notice.[14] Emiway then followed his father's advice and switched to rapping in Hindi.[15] In 2015, his single "Aur Bantai" became a breakthrough hit.[16][14] Within five years, the video for "Aur Bantai" had more than 6 million views on YouTube.[16] He appeared on India's Got Talent, to perform the song, but was rejected by the judges including filmmaker Karan Johar.[1] In the years since, he has established himself as a multilingual rapper who spits bars in Hindi, English, Marathi, and Tamil.[2]
2018: First rap feud
His high-profile feud with rapper Raftaar took place over five diss tracks, starting in 2018 when Emiway was 22 years old.[17][18] In 2017, Emiway and Raftaar had collaborated on "#Sadak".[8][19] In the following year, in September, Raftaar appeared on a podcast with Raaj Jones, where he questioned if fellow rapper Emiway Bantai was generating enough revenue from hip-hop.[20] Emiway took offense and shot back with the track "Samajh Mein Aaya Kya?" ("Do You Understand?"), in which he defends himself as an independent artist.[21][22] Raftaar responded with his own track, "Sheikh Chilli", where he called out Emiway for taking the statement out of context, while Emiway responded again with "Giraftaar".[21] Raftaar responded with "Awein Hai".[20] Emiway then responded with the final diss "Khatam" ("The End").[23] All the diss tracks by Emiway gained 100 million plus views.
2019-2021: Mainstream popularity
By 2019, Rolling Stone India noted that Emiway was "one of the very few music artists in India that [had] catapulted themselves into stardom solely with the use of social media".[4] According to Platform magazine, Emiway had "cracked the code to building a die-hard fandom entirely online" as an independent artist.[5] In addition, Emiway changed his look significantly, sporting a beard and shades which became his trademark.[4][24]
In 2019, Emiway Bantai went viral with the song "Machayenge" on TikTok and other platforms.[2] He wrote the track after three successive releases of angst-filled rap songs.[25] Producer Tony James composed the dance track.[25][26] Emiway released "Boht Hard" featuring Thoratt in the same year, which also went viral.[26][27]
Emiway Bantai was featured in the music video of the song "Asli Hip-Hop" from the movie Gully Boy starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Zoya Akhtar, released in 2019.[14][28] Emiway and other local rappers from Mumbai were also consultants on the script.[28] The film helped to bring desi hip-hop to a mass audience.[29] Other popular tracks by Emiway in 2019 included "Dhyan De" and "Skrrt Karenge".[4][8] In 2019, Emiway released "Freeverse Feast (Daawat)", where he claimed that "he's the only rapper representing India worldwide".[30]
On Valentine's Day in 2020, Emiway Bantai released "Firse Machayenge".[31] Co-starring Swaalina and shot by Nepal-born filmmaker Nishan Bujel, the video garnered 100 million views within its first 50 days.[32][33] In June 2020, Emiway released "Firse Machayenge Remix", a collaboration with American hip-hop artist Macklemore.[2][34] "Firse Machayenge" went on to become one of the top 10 YouTube music videos in India in 2020, peaking at No. 7 with 315 million views.[35][32]
In 2020, Emiway released the song "Khatam Korona", urging people to stay home during the COVID-19 pandemic.[36][8] The song quickly went viral, amassing 4 million views on YouTube by 2 April 2020.[36] He also featured on the song "New World" by Lexz Pryde alongside American rapper Snoop Dogg, which was a remix of Pryde's 2016 single "Motivate".[37][38]
After 8 years of releasing singles, Emiway finally released his debut album, Malum Hai Na in 2021.[2] The album features songs such as "Machayenge 3", "My Time", "Hai Tu Kaun" and "Jawab De", an intense, introspective rap about fighting his own personal demons.[39] Emiway was featured as the cover artist for the October edition of Rolling Stone India.[40]
2021: Bantai Records
In 2021, Emiway started his own independent label, Bantai Records. Emiway told Rolling Stone India that Bantai Records gave artists "complete freedom to decide what they want to release, when and where". In its first year, artists with the label included Hellac, Loka, Meme Machine, Minta, Swaalina, Thoratt, Tony James, and Young Galib.[41] In an interview with The Indian Express, Emiway described the label as "a record label, where we give artistes complete creative freedom to make the music they like to make".[42]
2022-present : Feud with KR$NA, King of the Streets and other projects
After the release of some tracks containing subliminal disses on each other, the beef between KR$NA and Emiway escalated in 2022, when Emiway released "Chusamba", in response to which KR$NA released "Lil Bunty". Emiway again responded with "KR L$DA SIGN", and KR$NA released "Machayenge 4", referring to Emiway's popular song series. Emiway retorted with his own version, "MACHAYENGE 4", and was met with widespread backlash, which prompted him to delete the track for a while after its original release.[43][44][45] In 2023, Emiway released his third album, King of the Streets.[46][47] The longest of the 17 tracks on the album, "King of the Streets", had dropped the week prior, with diss bars targeting MC Stan and an implied subliminal diss against Badshah.[46] He received criticism for the track which appeared to be part of an orchestrated campaign to promote the album. Four other tracks, including "Company" and "King of Indian Hip-Hop",[48] had received music videos prior to the album's release. Calling the album "refreshing", a review in The Indian Music Diaries called out "Chhod Dala", "Rule No. 123", and "Survive" as "standouts" from Emiway's usual style.[46]
In 2023, Emiway became the only Indian hip-hop artist to be featured on Times Square twice. He featured in 2020 for his debut album Malum Hai Na and for a second time in 2023 for his album King Of The Streets.[49]
Emiway also embroiled in a feud with rapper King due to the latter's song "F*CK WHAT THEY SAY" containing subtle jabs at the rapper. Emiway responded with a track titled, "ROKO 2MG". King further released two tracks exclusively on Instagram, "Mere Pyaare Emiway" and "Hum Teri Lele", and Emiway responded with "Meet the Instagram Yapper" and "Dependent Kauve".[50]
In 2025, Emiway released the single, "Badshah", from his EP, Bajis. He further released four more tracks from the EP, including "Tribute to Sidhu Moose Wala".[51][52][53] In an interview with Firstpost, he revealed that old Hindi film songs featuring actor Shah Rukh Khan were the main inspiration behind the EP's sound.[54]
In 2025, Emiway released his fifth studio album From The Streets To The Streams, releasing 10 music videos from the album.[55]
In 2026, Emiway collaborated with American rapper Token for the song "#SADAK 2.0". He further released his eighth EP CNSTNCY. In the wake of 2026 Delhi Jantar Mantar protests, Emiway released the protest anthem "BOLRA HAI SADAK".[56][57]
Awards
- People's Choice Award (2017-19) for Best Hip-Hop Artist for three consecutive years at the Radio City Freedom Awards.[58][59][60]
- MTV Europe Music Awards for Best India Act in 2019.[61]
- Indian Independent Music Awards (2022) for Best Classical Song - "Machayenge"[62]
Personal life
Emiway Bantai married actor and singer Swaalina, sharing pictures from their private wedding ceremony on Instagram in January 2025.[63][52] They had worked together on "Firse Machayenge" in 2020, "Paani Mai" in 2021, "Chalte Firte" in 2021, "Kudi" in 2023[32][63] "Kaali Kaali Aankhein" in 2025 and "KYU?" in 2026.
Filmography
Movies
- Gully Boy (2019) as himself
Documentaries
- The Mind Behind (2019)
- The Story Behind Machayenge (2020)
Television
- India's Got Talent (2018) as Contestant
- Red Bull Spotlight (2021) as Judge
- Bigg Boss OTT (2023) as Guest
Discography
Albums
| Year | Album | Tracks | Artist | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Malum Hai Na |
|
Emiway Bantai | Meme Machine, Tony James, Jaykll, AAKASH, Young Taylor, Flamboy, Ryini Beats |
| 2022 | 8 Saal |
|
Emiway Bantai | Lexnour, Pendo46, Abyss Prod, Emiway Bantai, Memax, Cheap Thrills |
| 2023 | King of the Streets |
|
Emiway Bantai | Pendo46, Lexnour, JustDan Beats, llogans, Enigma Beats, Babz Beats, Robert Tar, 9thaGod, Citron Beatz, Memax, Sinato Beats, Zero Beatz, Xistence, Bxl Grapes, Gore Ocean, nobuddy, kylo beats, MYK Beats |
| 2024 | Wholeheartedly |
|
Emiway Bantai | The Rish, Avanto, Hippy Jack, AAKASH, Memax, Maanu |
| 2025 | From The Streets To The Streams |
|
Emiway Bantai | Tony James, Memax, Keman Beatz, Emiway Bantai |
EPs
| Year | EP | Tracks | Artist | Producer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | MEIN |
|
Emiway Bantai | Emiway Bantai |
| 2019 | No Brands |
|
Emiway Bantai | Flamboy |
| 2020 | Dhundke Dikha |
|
Emiway Bantai | Robert Tar, Hippy Jack, Flamboy, Bass Mutant, Ryini Beats |
| 2022 | Monsoon |
|
Emiway Bantai | Harsh Sohi, Memax, PALE 1080, Nishit Basumatary |
| 2024 | sPEAK |
|
Emiway Bantai | Abyss, Memax, Emiway Bantai |
| 2024 | Northern Nights |
|
Emiway Bantai | Memax, Emiway Bantai, Backyard |
| 2025 | BAJIS |
|
Emiway Bantai | Tony James, Memax |
| 2026 | CNSTNCY |
|
Emiway Bantai | Memax, Emiway Bantai, 10A |
Singles
As lead artist
| Title | Year | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glint Lock
(ft. Minta) |
2013 | Emiway Bantai | First single |
| Tap on the Floor
(ft. Minta & Damsy) |
|||
| Yeh Meri Zindagi
(ft. Monu Bid) |
|||
| F.O.U.R. Square
(ft. Minta) |
2014 | ||
| Aur Bantai | |||
| Bewafa Ho Dafa | |||
| Hateli Khopdi | |||
| Na Maine Jana | 2015 | ||
| Mera Naam Bantai
(ft. Gagan) |
|||
| Chatrang | |||
| Soch | 2016 | ||
| Aisa Kuch Shot Nahi Hai | |||
| Tadak Padak | |||
| Fun Dekho | Sample | ||
| Kala Dhan | 2017 | Emiway Bantai | |
| Mein | From the EP MEIN | ||
| Abbu | |||
| Jhand Hai | |||
| Mumbai Se Delhi Tak
(ft. KR$NA) |
Insane | ||
| #SADAK | PSYIK | Also features Raftaar | |
| Mera Bhai Mera Bhai | 2018 | Robert Tar | |
| Ebu Hatela
(ft. Meme Machine) |
Bluesanova | ||
| Abe Chodna
(ft. Muhfaad) |
Muhfaad | ||
| Mazak Hai Kya | Robert Tar | ||
| Kaun Hu Mein | Flamboy | ||
| Kadak Ban | Song was featured in the movie Gully Boy | ||
| Out of Sampark | |||
| Samajh Mein Aaya Kya? | Diss track aimed at Raftaar, DIVINE and MC Stan | ||
| Giraftaar | Bass Mutant | Diss track aimed at Raftaar | |
| Khatam | |||
| Boht Hard
(ft. Thoratt) |
Tony James | ||
| Tribute to Eminem | Eminem | Uses the instrumental from Eminem's "Lose Yourself" | |
| Jump Kar | Flamboy | ||
| Machayenge | 2019 | Tony James | |
| Dhyan De | Kray Twinz | ||
| Skrrt Karenge
(ft. Meme Machine) |
Crazyvibe | ||
| Freeverse Feast | Jacko Beats | ||
| Jallad | Flamboy | ||
| I Been That
(ft. DAX ) |
Lex Nour | ||
| BAJO | Tony James | ||
| Seedha Takeover | Flamboy | ||
| Pagal Sa Rapper | Bass Mutant | ||
| Dhua Dhua | Call Me G | ||
| Bharosa | 2020 | Hippy Jack | |
| Nightrider
(ft. THEMXXNLIGHT) |
Sledgren, Alecto | ||
| Firse Machayenge | Tony James | ||
| Maalik | Flamboy | ||
| Batista Bomb | Chris Rich Beats | ||
| Khatam Karona | PSYIK | ||
| Superhit | Juanko Beats | ||
| HARD | Hippy Jack | ||
| Gully Ka Kutta | Flamboy | Diss track aimed at DIVINE | |
| New World
(ft. Lexz Pryde & Snoop Dogg) |
Kiran Bengal, Nick Price | ||
| Ab Puch | Stwo, Singawd, Blomkamp, JT Gagarin | Uses the instrumental from "One Way" by 6lack & T-Pain | |
| Firse Machayenge (Remix)
(ft. Macklemore) |
Tony James | ||
| Round One | Pendo46 | ||
| Kaun Hai Ye | |||
| Lonely
(ft. Prznt) |
Vodli | ||
| Charge
(ft. Nana Rogues) |
Nana Rogues | ||
| Thanks to God | Pendo46 | ||
| Ladka Alag Sa | Flamboy | ||
| As-Salaam Walekum | |||
| 100 Kadam Pe | Pendo46 | ||
| Khona Hai | Meme Machine | ||
| Khatam Hue Waande | Yoki | ||
| Ring Ring
(ft. Meme Machine) |
Meme Machine | ||
| Don't Be The One
(ft. Kara Marni) |
Flamboy | ||
| Royal Rumble | Bkay Music | ||
| What Can I Do | 2021 | Flamboy | |
| No Love
(ft. Loka) |
Aakash | ||
| THC Cypher
(ft. Minta, Hellac, Meme Machine, Dopeadelicz) |
Flamboy | First single for Bantai Records | |
| Jamaica To India
(ft. Chris Gayle) |
Tony James | ||
| Shy | Meme Machine | ||
| Sath Mai
(ft. Meme Machine & Swaalina) |
|||
| Paani Mai
(ft. Young Galib & Swaalina) |
Yoki, Tony James | ||
| Heal | Emiway Bantai | ||
| That's How I Feel | Andyr | ||
| Shukriya | |||
| Street Talk | Memax | ||
| Ruthless
(ft. Memax & Jaxk) |
2022 | ||
| Chusamba | Refix | Diss track aimed at Raftaar and KR$NA | |
| KR L$DA SIGN | Saint Cardona | Diss track aimed at KR$NA | |
| Jhootha
(ft. Celina Sharma) |
|||
| Machayenge 4 | Isioa, Pendo46, Emiway Bantai | Diss track aimed at KR$NA | |
| F#CK EMIWAY | Hippy Jack | ||
| Thanks To My Haters | Saint Cardona, Rishbeats | ||
| Lobotomy
(ft. Lazarus) |
Stan Da Man | ||
| Baby
(ft. Young Galib) |
Tony James | ||
| GUESS | Kabu Beats | ||
| Pyaar Hai | Hippy Jack | ||
| DRILL | lejJA | ||
| Kudi | 2023 | deyz | Song released from Namoh Studios |
| Indian Hip Hop Cypher
(ft. Memax, Shez, Young Galib, Flowbo, Hitzone, Hellac, Jaxk, Minta) |
Memax, Refix, Tony James | ||
| Still Number 1 | Bargholz | ||
| Good Boy | Yo Yo Honey Singh | ||
| Rehem | Memax | ||
| W | Gore Ocean | ||
| One Hai Re Bhai | 2024 | Anyvibe | |
| Independent | Tokyo | ||
| Chalis | Cultxre | ||
| Roko 2mg | Angad wav | Diss track aimed at King | |
| Meet the Instagram Yapper | Memax | ||
| Dependent Kauve | ThatKidGoran | ||
| Zindagi Mast Hai | Tony James | ||
| Kya Total? | 2025 | ||
| Bhule Nahi | Emiway Bantai, Memax | ||
| Big Stepper | Diss track aimed at DIVINE | ||
| -10/20 | 2026 | Emiway Bantai | |
| Follow Karo | |||
| Lazanus | TFlame Beats, H1TMAN Beats, HosseinAmin Beats | Diss track aimed at Lazarus | |
| The Final Burial of Lazanus | Emiway Bantai, Narvaza | ||
| Seedha Mai Kal Jackson | Emiway Bantai | ||
| Dreams | Emwiay Bantai, Memax | ||
| Jaane Jaa | Memax | ||
| #SADAK 2.0
(ft. Token) |
PSYIK | ||
| Bolra Hai Sadak | Memax | Song for 2026 Jantar Mantar Protest | |
| Safal | Red Bull 64 Bars by Def Jam Recordings India |
As featured artist
| Track | Year | Producer(s) | Project |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lean On (Celina Sharma ft. Emiway Bantai) | 2019 | Tremaine Sandhu | |
| Bad Munda (Jass Manak ft. Emiway Bantai) | 2021 | Deep Jandu | Bad Munda |
| Kya Bolte Bro (Memax ft. Loka and Emiway Bantai) | Memax | MEMAX | |
| Raja (Hellac ft. Emiway Bantai) | Madhur Shinde | RAJA | |
| Maante Naahi Haar (Minta ft. Emiway Bantai) | 2022 | BS Beats, Flossy Draco | Maante Naahi Haar |
| Show Me (Prznt ft. Emiway Bantai) | 2024 | Adrian Schafer | |
| Main Hawa Mein Hu (Maninder Buttar ft. Emiway Bantai) | Tony James | ||
| KYU (Swaalina ft. Emiway Bantai) | 2026 | Emiway Bantai | S.W.A |
Promotional tracks
| Song | Year | Artists | Promoting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabse Saste 5 Din | 2019 | Emiway Bantai | Big Bazaar |
| Bajo | Royal Enfield | ||
| Big Billion Days | 2020 | Realme, Flipkart | |
| narzo | 2021 | Realme | |
| realme Narzo 50 series | |||
| Do It Your Way | 2023 | Emiway Bantai, Naâman, Beer Biceps, Umran Malik | Celio |
| Haath Dhona Cool Hai | Emiway Bantai | Savlon |
References
- 1 2 3 4 Chauhan, Manisha (3 November 2023). "Meet rapper who failed in 12th, worked as helper, rejected by Karan Johar, one viral video made him star, now owns..." DNA India. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Xalxo, Jessica (22 October 2021). "COVER STORY: The Rise and Rise of Emiway Bantai". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Jeddy, G. Mohiuddin; Kappal, Bhanuj (28 May 2025). "Rapper Emiway Bantai receives ₹1 cr ransom call from 'Goldy Brar'". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 Britto, David; Chakraborty, Riddhi (7 June 2019). "COVER STORY: How To Make It Big Using Social Media". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- 1 2 Singh, Nirmika (June 2020). "Beyond The Gully: The Changing Shape of Indian Hip Hop". Platform. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ Singh, Abishek (13 August 2019). "India is listening to Emiway x Dax's I Been That". The Indian Express. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ "EMIWAY BANTAI X TOKEN - #SADAK 2.0 | PROD BY - PSYIK |OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO|". 7 May 2026. Retrieved 27 June 2026 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 3 4 "A quick look at rapper Emiway Bantai's career". The Indian Express. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
- ↑ "Here's why rapper Emiway Bantai remains independent". Mid-day. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "The Creative Questionnaire with Emiway Bantai, Mumbai rapper". Red Bull. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ Vajpayee, Soumya (3 July 2023). "Guru Purnima: Eminem, Tech N9ne and Lil Wayne are my true gurus, says Bantai". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
- ↑ Bagul, Mukul Sanjeev (8 January 2023). "[Master's thesis] Where Technology meets Art: Social and Technological Drivers shaping the success of Indian Hip-Hop" (PDF). Aalborg University. Copenhagen, Denmark. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ "A quick look at rapper Emiway Bantai's career". The Indian Express. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 Britto, David (10 June 2019). "Emiway Bantai: 'I Have Never Spent a Penny on Promotion'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ Chauhan, Manisha. "Meet rapper who failed in 12th, worked as helper, rejected by Karan Johar, one viral video made him star, now owns..." DNA India. Retrieved 16 July 2026.
- 1 2 Tagat, Anurag (25 November 2019). "Comes Rapped Up | Music". India Today. Retrieved 21 June 2026.
- ↑ Fulkar, Spandan (28 August 2024). "King vs Emiway Bantai: The Rap Beef That Keeps Burning". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ "Raftaar on diss-war with Emiway: He is a misguided kid, I am the mature one". Hindustan Times. 10 January 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ Bantai, Emiway (12 November 2017). "EMIWAY- #SADAK (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO) | RAFTAAR | PSYIK". Retrieved 27 June 2026 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 Saraiya, Naman (6 November 2018). "Is India's Big-Ass Rap Beef Over or What?". Vice. Retrieved 9 September 2025.
- 1 2 Goyal, Samarth (3 February 2019). "Raftaar shouldn't have hit back at Emiway". HT City. Retrieved 27 June 2026 – via PressReader.
- ↑ Daga, Bhagalakshmi (2022). "Straight Outta Mumbai: Exploring Informality and Innovation in Dharavi's Hiphop Industry". Rethinking the Music Business: Music Contexts, Rights, Data, and COVID-19. Springer International Publishing. p. 133. ISBN 9783031095320 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Emiway Bantai (4 November 2018). EMIWAY BANTAI-KHATAM (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO). Retrieved 6 August 2026 – via YouTube.
- ↑ Bhomik, Sowrav (4 March 2019). "10 Times Emiway Bantai Proved That Apart From Being A Rap Beast, He's A Fashion Gangsta As Well". MensXP. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- 1 2 Kumar, Minal (ed.). "Emiway – The Story Behind Machayenge". The Story Behind the Song. Supari Studios. Retrieved 25 June 2026 – via YouTube.
- 1 2 "TikTok Rewind 2019: Biggest trends, viral videos and challenges in India". The Indian Express. 25 December 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ Xalxo, Jessica (5 February 2020). "It's Official: TikTok is the New King of Social Media Platforms". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- 1 2 Jha, Vyoma (2022). "Chapter 4 – Zoya Akhtar as Screenwriter: Making Niche the New Mainstream". In Magazine, Aakshi; Shields, Amber (eds.). ReFocus: The Films of Zoya Akhtar. Edinburgh University Press. ISBN 9781474476447 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Kusnu, Narendra (20 February 2020). "Gully Boy and desi hip-hop". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ Sen, Debarati (8 November 2019). "Mumbai's Emiway Bantai scores big at Europe Music Awards". Times Of India. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ "EMIWAY - FIRSE MACHAYENGE (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)". YouTube. 14 February 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Check out 2020's most viewed Hindi songs on YouTube". Radioandmusic.com. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2026 – via ProQuest.
- ↑ Pant, Shashwat (15 July 2020). "In an age of exciting musical visuals, 17-year-old Nishan Bhujel is doing all the right things". The Kathmandu Post. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ Bantai, Emiway (9 June 2020). "Emiway ft. Macklemore - Firse Machayenge Remix (Prod by Tony James) (Official Music Video)". Retrieved 27 June 2026 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "Badshah, Carry Minati, BB Ki Vines: YouTube reveals top 10 creators, videos of 2020". Business Today. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- 1 2 "'Khatam Karona': Indian rapper Emiway's song urging people to stay indoors a viral hit". The Indian Express. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2026.
- ↑ "Emiway Bantai Collaborates With Snoop Dogg & Lexz Pryde On 'New World'". www.thewildcity.com. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
- ↑ Vargese, R. (22 May 2020). "Emiway Bantai collaborates with Snoop Dogg and Lexz Pryde for New World". IndulgExpress. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
- ↑ Aurelius, Marcus (22 July 2021). "Emiway Bantai fights off his own demons in the intense 'Jawab De'". Lifted Magazine. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ Xalxo, Jessica (22 October 2021). "COVER STORY: The Rise and Rise of Emiway Bantai". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Xalxo, Jessica (22 October 2021). "COVER STORY: The Rise and Rise of Emiway Bantai". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "Bantai Records is the next big thing in the Indian hip-hop scene: Emiway Bantai". The Indian Express. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2026.
- ↑ "It's Emiway Vs Krsna again! See who won 'Machayengey 4' rap battle". Times Of India. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ Chiu, Fengyen (12 July 2022). "Why Is #ShameOnEmiwayBantai Trending On Twitter? Rapper's New Track 'Machayenge 4' Recieves [sic] Flak". Mashable India. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- ↑ "Emiway Bantai Deletes 'Machayenge 4' Disstrack For Kr$na. Read To Know The Reason". Kiddaan. 15 July 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
- 1 2 3 Tripathi, Shirish (23 July 2023). "[Review] Emiway's "King Of The Streets" Is A Conceited And Triumphant Treat For His Listeners". The Indian Music Diaries. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ Ooi, Jensen (8 January 2024). "Emiway Bantai shows off his 'W' atop the mountain". Lifted Magazine. Retrieved 27 June 2026.
- ↑ "Emiway Bantai is too much for everyone to handle as the 'King of Indian Hip Hop'". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Fulkar, Spandan (28 August 2024). "King vs Emiway Bantai: The Rap Beef That Keeps Burning". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ↑ Bubble, Bollywood (26 May 2025). "Emiway Bantai Honours Sidhu Moosewala With Heartfelt Musical Tribute As Part Of Bajis EP- Watch". Bollywood Bubble. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Emiway Bantai rings in 2025 with wedding & new single 'BADSHAH'". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ Tagat, Anurag (29 May 2025). "Emiway Bantai's New Track Pays Tribute to Sidhu Moose Wala". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
- ↑ ""Bollywood has a huge influence on all of us – working with SRK samples has been incredible," says Emiway Bantai as he drops final track from 'Bajis' EP". Firstpost (in fp-IN). 24 May 2025. Archived from the original on 24 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ↑ "FTSTTS". YouTube. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
- ↑ Mishra, Vijaya (24 July 2026). "Emiway Bantai's New Rap On Jantar Mantar Student Protest Crosses 1.1 Million Views: WATCH". ABP Live English. Retrieved 2 August 2026.
- ↑ "Emiway Bantai supports the Cockroach Revolution with 'BOLRA HAI SADAK'". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
- ↑ Britto, David (23 March 2017). "Radio City Freedom Awards 2017: The Complete Winners List". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ Britto, David (23 March 2018). "Radio City Freedom Awards 2018: The Complete Winners List". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ India, Rolling Stone (29 March 2019). "Radio City Freedom Awards 2019: The Complete Winners List". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 25 August 2026.
- ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly; Howard, Annie (3 November 2019). "MTV EMAs: Taylor Swift, BTS, Billie Eilish Among Winners". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2 July 2026.
- ↑ Congratulations Emiway Bantai for winning in the Best Classical Song Category of the first edition of the Indian Independent Music Awards. #IIMA | ArtistAloud.com. Retrieved 7 August 2026 – via www.facebook.com.
- 1 2 "Pics: Rapper Emiway Bantai marries singer-actor Swaalina". India Today. 24 January 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2026.