Last Updated:
Nawab Gang is redefining Telugu hip-hop with a fearless blend of heritage and modern rap culture. From underground cyphers to international tours, the Hyderabad-based collective has transformed from a grassroots movement into a powerhouse shaping the future of regional rap.
Nawab Gang is revolutionizing Telugu hip-hop, fusing tradition with global rap culture.
Hyderabad’s hip-hop movement has been on a steady rise, but few collectives have championed the scene as boldly as Nawab Gang. Founded in 2018 with the vision of giving Telugu rap a formidable voice, the group has transformed from a grassroots movement into a powerhouse shaping the future of regional hip-hop. What started as a rebellious response to industry barriers has now become a defining force, seamlessly blending local culture with global influences while keeping its raw, unapologetic authenticity intact.
At the heart of Nawab Gang is a deep-rooted connection to Hyderabad’s heritage. The name itself—Nawab Gang—pays homage to the city’s royal legacy while embodying the grit and unity that hip-hop represents. With six members, each bringing distinct skills and perspectives, the collective has managed to craft a sound that resonates across audiences, whether it’s through street anthems, introspective storytelling, or even cinematic collaborations.
related stories
Their journey has been anything but conventional. From engineering classrooms to late-night studio sessions, from underground cyphers to sharing stages with Indian rap legends like Brodha V, Nawab Gang has remained relentless in its pursuit. They’ve battled industry norms, broken language barriers, and redefined what it means to be a Telugu rapper in a Bollywood-dominated landscape. Whether it’s GHUNDA’s street energy or PSYbRRRpunk 2021’s futuristic vision, their discography reflects their evolution—bold, experimental, and always rooted in realness.
After performing at Ziro On Tour, a festival that bridges music, sustainability, and culture, the gang is set to bring Hyderabad’s energy to a national stage. With upcoming projects like Nawabs with Attitudes and a growing presence in international tours, they’re not just making music—they’re building a legacy.
In this exclusive interview, Nawab Gang opens up about their origins, creative process, cultural influences, and their vision for the future of Telugu hip-hop. From their iconic SRH Anthem to their plans for global collaborations, they prove that the future of Indian rap isn’t just coming—it’s already here.
Here are the excerpts:
Ziro On Tour and Signature Packaged Drinking Water are coming to Hyderabad for the first time, what is you expectation from the new format of the festival?
First off, the location of the festival is iconic, I’m excited to perform and interact in a space that resonate with the brand’s and festival’s core ethos of bring together nature and music. Taramati Baradari is steeped in history and culture – it’s the perfect setting for the festival as it moves from the hills to the city, staying true to its spirit. With Signature Packaged Drinking Water supporting this event, it brings a new dimension to the festival—where music, sustainability, and history come together to create a meaningful experience.
This is an exciting step – Ziro has always been about blending music, nature, and culture, and with Signature Packaged Drinking Water supporting this journey, the festival’s ethos reaches a broader audience. Hyderabad’s vibrant music scene and rich heritage make it the perfect place to start this new chapter.
In a festival environment like Ziro On Tour, where sustainability is a key theme, are there any songs from your career that you feel align particularly well with Signature Packaged Drinking Water’s eco-conscious message?
A lot of our songs touch on themes of connection, preservation, and living consciously. One song that stands out in this context is [insert specific song name], which reflects on our relationship with nature and the importance of caring for what we have. It’s the perfect anthem for a festival like Ziro On Tour, where music, culture, and sustainability meet.
What was the defining moment in 2018 that solidified your vision to form Nawab Gang?
The defining moment in 2018 that solidified my vision to form Nawab Gang was realizing the lack of a strong, unified voice for Hyderabad hip hop especially Telugu hip-hop. I saw incredible talent around me, but there was no proper platform or collective to push the culture forward. That year, I experienced firsthand the struggles independent artists faced – lack of knowledge, resources, recognition, and industry support. Instead of waiting for opportunities, I decided to create them. That’s when the idea of Nawab Gang was born—a movement to bring together like-minded artists, elevate the regional hip-hop scene, and make Hyderabad a powerhouse in Indian rap.
As engineering students, how did you manage to balance academics with your passion for music during the group’s early days?
Balancing academics with music during our early days as engineering students was a real challenge, but our passion for hip-hop kept us going. We treated music like a second degree—attending college during the day and hitting the studio at night. but then me and waker (the initial members of NG) got year back and we spent that whole year learning about music, it’s Industry and way it works.
Time management was key. We used every free moment—between classes, after exams, and even during college projects—to work on our craft. Sometimes we skipped sleep, but we never skipped a session. Though Our professors gave us hard time, but friends do saw our dedication, and some even supported us. It was tough, but that grind built the foundation for Nawab Gang.
Can you share the story behind the name “Nawab Gang”? What does it signify for you as a collective?
Though we had 4 name options the name Nawab Gang was born out of a desire to represent Hyderabad’s rich culture while bringing a rebellious, powerful energy to the hip-hop scene. The word Nawab symbolizes kings, royalty, leadership, and legacy—traits that reflect our ambition to be pioneers in Telugu hip-hop. At the same time, Gang represents unity, brotherhood, and a movement that stands for something bigger than just music.
For us Nawab Gang is more than a name it’s an identity. It signifies breaking barriers, taking ownership of our craft, and putting Hyderabad on the global hip-hop map. We aren’t just artists—we’re a family, a force that uplifts, inspires, and challenges the status quo.
How do you navigate the balance between preserving Telugu culture and experimenting with modern hip-hop styles?
Navigating the balance between preserving Telugu culture and experimenting with modern hip-hop styles is all about staying true to our roots while pushing creative boundaries. We blend traditional Telugu sounds, storytelling, and slang with global hip-hop influences—whether it’s Dr. Dre’s West Coast vibes, reggae grooves, or trap beats.
Lyrically, we make sure our music reflects real Telugu life—our struggles, our celebrations, our slang, and our stories. At the same time, we experiment with production, flow patterns, and visuals to match Indian & global standards. It’s about evolution, not dilution. We want to take Telugu hip-hop worldwide, showing that our culture can stand tall next to any international sound, our film music already did it #NatuNatu
What is your creative process for writing multilingual lyrics that resonate with diverse audiences?
Writing multilingual lyrics is about finding the perfect balance between authenticity and accessibility. We start by identifying the core emotion or message of the song. If it’s personal or deeply rooted in Telugu culture, we use native phrases, slang, and storytelling. For broader appeal, we mix in English or Hindi to create a bridge for non-Telugu audiences. The key is rhythm and flow—making sure every word, regardless of language, hits with impact. We also study how global artists blend languages and experiment with unique rhyme schemes to keep it fresh and relatable.
Which socio-political issues have influenced your music the most, and how do you approach them in your songwriting?
My music has always been influenced by real struggles—poverty, government corruption, class divides, and the Matrix itself. Songs like Em Swatantram, Bthukudama, Vimukthi, kavyam carry messages of social Injustice, unruled division of classes, while tracks featuring Nawab Gang touch on urban displacement, unemployment, and systemic oppression. I approach these topics by mixing hard-hitting truths with storytelling, making them both thought-provoking and relatable. The goal is to spark awareness.
Are there any specific artists, literary works, or cultural icons from Telugu history that inspire your music?
Yes, legends like Sri Sri and his revolutionary poetry, the raw storytelling of Manto, the rebellious energy of Gurram Jashua garu and also Late great Siri Vennala Sitaramasastri garu. From a hip-hop perspective, 2Pac, Ice Cube, Kendrik approach to real-life storytelling push me to be more authentic. We also draw inspiration from Telugu cinema’s larger-than-life narratives, adapting that grand storytelling style into our music sometimes.
With six members bringing unique skills to the table, how do you ensure everyone’s creative voice is heard?
Nawab Gang is built on understanding, it like a family. Every member has their own style—some are more lyrical, some focus on production, and some bring performance energy. We have jam sessions where everyone contributes ideas, and we make sure whoever makes more sense takes the lead. There’s also competition among ourselves about who’s going to write the best verse which push us to be better lyricist. We also have individual projects, we treat each artist as a separate brand itself, so everyone gets their moment to shine.
How do you approach collaborative projects within the group versus external partnerships, such as your contributions to cinema?
Internal collaborations are organic—we experiment freely, challenge each other, and create music purely for the thoughts, Ideas and culture. External projects, especially in cinema, require a more structured approach. We study the script, the character arcs, and the mood of the film before writing. The challenge is blending hip-hop’s rawness with cinematic storytelling while keeping it authentic. But we always make sure our signature style is present regardless of the project.
Each album of yours reflects a distinct phase of your journey. How does “GHUNDA,” for instance, differ in its message compared to “PSYbRRRpunk 2021″?
GHUNDA by lil G is raw, aggressive, and rooted in street energy—it’s about power, dominance, and survival in the urban jungle. PSYbRRRpunk 2021 by Psychlone, on the other hand, is futuristic, experimental, and dives into themes of life in future, technology, dystopia, and rebellion. One is about conquering the present; the other is about questioning the future.
How do you decide on themes for your albums and EPs? Do they emerge organically, or do you plan them conceptually?
It’s a mix of both. Some albums are born from spontaneous creativity—just a mood we vibe with. Others, like AstrA, Synopsis, Congregate , PSYbRRRpunk 2021, are planned with a full concept in mind. We analyze why we want to say something and what the audience is feeling, what’s missing in the scene, and what message we want to leave behind and how we gonna do it.
What inspired your futuristic approach in “PSYbRRRpunk 2021,” and how did fans respond to that shift?
I (PSYCHLONE) was inspired by cyberpunk culture, I love sci-fi aesthetics, and the way technology is changing society. I wanted to experiment with new sounds and visual storytelling. Fans were initially surprised by the shift but loved how we pushed boundaries. It opened up a new audience that appreciates concept-driven music.
The “Game On” soundtrack seamlessly blends hip-hop with cinematic elements. How did you approach creating tracks that cater to both moviegoers and hip-hop fans?
I focused on making the beats cinematic while keeping the rap authentic. The goal was to enhance the stories emotion while making the track stand alone as a banger. It is a challenge to find the fine line, and what makes it easy is the idea of letting Hip Hop evolve.
Performing at “The Blacklist” alongside Brodha V was a significant moment. How do you prepare for high-profile events like this, and what does such exposure mean for regional hip-hop?
We think we get possessed when we are on the stage by hip hop the music just These events give regional hip-hop a bigger stage, proving that language is no barrier to impact.
What were the biggest hurdles in gaining recognition for regional rap in a Bollywood-dominated industry?
Breaking stereotypes, getting mainstream media attention, and proving that HipHop/Rap is just as powerful as film music were our biggest challenges. But consistency and viral moments helped change that.
How do you adapt your performance style for intimate pub gigs versus large festivals like Ziro?
We experienced performing in front of 20 people and also 45,000 crowd. Usually, Pub gigs are more interactive and rawer, while festivals require high-energy, large-scale performances. The key is reading the crowd and adjusting accordingly.
What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had with fans at a live event? And how has your participation in cyphers and community events shaped the hip-hop culture in Hyderabad?
A fan once told us that our song helped him push through depression, he said our songs are his affirmations Moments like that reminds us why we do this. When it comes to cyphers, they gave underground artists a platform to showcase their skills and build the scene from the ground up, that’s how nawab gang came together.
Creating the SRH anthem must have been an exhilarating experience. What was your creative approach to capturing the spirit of cricket through hip-hop?
We focused on energy, aggression, and the team’s fighting spirit, using lyrics that embodied Hyderabad’s pride.
Can you tell us more about “Nawabs with Attitudes”? How does this upcoming project reflect your artistic evolution?
It’s our dream project, inspired by N.W.A Group from Compton, blending hardcore hip-hop with socially conscious themes.
With growing global attention on regional music, do you see Nawab Gang venturing into international collaborations or tours?
We have already been on two international tours- Australia and Thailand. We’re looking forward to more tours and collaborating with talented international artists.
How do you hope Nawab Gang will influence the future of Telugu rap and the Indian hip-hop scene?
The best way to predicting future is to create it. We’re the legacy of Telugu rap.
Beyond music, what other avenues do you see yourselves exploring to amplify your cultural impact?
Cinema, Technology and Travel.
What do you want listeners to take away from Nawab Gang’s journey and music?
That dreams are real, struggles make you stronger, and true artistry always wins.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
