Photo: NH7
Over the weekend, legendary Compton emcee YG, Mercury Prize Nominee & rapper M.I.A., Indian rap superstar MC Stan, Gully Gang‘s MC Altaf, Sammohit and D’Evil joined forces with rising rappers Tricksingh, Shia and Cartel Madras for the massive NH7 weekender in Pune.
The emcees, who together helm a crucial spot in South Asian & Global rap music, were further joined by iconic Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi, record producers Madstarbase, Jai Wolf, Gurbaxx, Katoptris, Memba, Rasa, DJ Mo City, DJ Ishani & Bobkat, OAFF & Savera and more.
The massive roster of live performers further included marquee Swiss artist of Indian descent Priya Ragu, Alo Wala, Indie pop singers Naalayak, Hanita Bhambri and DJ Rasa.
Gangsta rap pioneer YG performed some of his finest rap records including “Brand New” from his latest joint LP with Tyga “Hit Me Up When U Leave The Klub”. Joined by DJ Vision, the rapper opened his set with hard-hitting rap records such as “My Hitta” featuring Lil Wayne, “Stop Snitchin”, “B—— Ain’t S—” and “Who Do You Love” – his towering rap record with Drake.
West Coast represent – @YG
— Bacardi NH7 Weekender (@NH7) December 5, 2023
A fiery wrap to the weekend 🔥#NH7Weekender #BACARDÍNH7 #ItsAMood #YG pic.twitter.com/cYx9qITL9Y
Replaying moments from last evening! 🔥
— Bacardi NH7 Weekender (@NH7) December 4, 2023
Which artist did you catch? 👇#NH7Weekender #BACARDÍNH7 #ItsAMood #YG #MCStan #DalerMehndi pic.twitter.com/QQUJQsExFb
Making history, one song at a time. India's first all-female festival mainstage line-up 👑👑👑🇮🇳@NodwinGaming @paytminsider @BACARDI #BACARDINH7 #NH7Weekender #ItsAMood pic.twitter.com/EHmarBMCD9
— Bacardi NH7 Weekender (@NH7) December 3, 2023
Notably, YG’s headlining set was further home to two iconic instances for rap music in India. First, the flagrant rapper performed his top-selling Punjabi rap record “Gangsta” by Karan Aujla. Further, Young Gangsta previewed his unreleased single “Gang Shit” featuring breakthrough rapper Sexyy Redd amidst the performance.
For Indian Hip-Hop superstar MC Stan, the massive live set arrived after a brief hiatus from major live sets. The iconic rapper and record producer, whose performance led to lethal moshpits and unprecedented admiration from “P-Town”, performed smashing hits including “Shana Bann”, “Ek Din Pyaar”, his incendiary single “Khuja Mat”, “Haath Varthi” & more.
@MCStanOfficial performs his debut @nh7 live set on his own turf Pune a.k.a. ‘P-Town’! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/B7U9BDTx25
— Culture Haze (@theculturehaze) December 5, 2023
YG & MC Stan’s performances occurred on day 3. While the two emcees shut down Bacardi Arena, veteran Punjabi singer Daler Mehndi performed his historic Punjabi records at the Casa Bacardi stage too.
YG’s headlining set was preceded by M.I.A.’s flagrant performance on day 2. The legendary British rapper and Academy Nominated artist performed her cult rap records including “Boyz” featuring Jay-Z, “Paper Planes” & more. The rapper further brought out some of her ardent fans to join her onstage.
The magic of @MIAuniverse 🔥@NodwinGaming @paytminsider @BACARDI #BACARDINH7 #NH7Weekender #ItsAMood pic.twitter.com/awkhkE6rTo
— Bacardi NH7 Weekender (@NH7) December 3, 2023
Record producers & DJ Madstarbase remixed a slew of Bollywood and Punjabi records. From Fareeda Mir’s historic Rajasthani folk single “Rangilo Maaro Dholna” to Sidhu Moose Wala‘s huge rap record “0-100”, the iconic DJ crew, led by Anant Ahuja & Neal Sekhri, remixed signature Indian songs and made it their own with suave.
While Altaf, Sammohit & D’Evil performed some of their biggest rap records at the major festival, DJ and record producer Spindoc joined forces with numerous Hip-Hop artists including Bombay Lokal affiliate Farhan Khan, HotFix, Vaidehi Sawant, Yashashree and more for his live set on the last day.
Besides YG, Shia & Zero Chill and Tricksingh previewed two unreleased singles – “Chances” featuring underground N.Y. rapper Aakash and “Lost In The Lights” respectively at the major concert.
Amidst the festival, Hindi cinema’s breakthrough actors Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Gourav Adarsh joined OAFF x Savera’s evening set to premiere the first track from their upcoming film “Kho Gaye Hum Kahan” at the sold-out concert.
In its 14th edition, NH7 Weekender showcased perhaps the biggest artist line-up yet. The three-day festival, which was preceded by J.I.D. headlining the event in Stan’s homeland last year, featured over 45 homegrown and international artists.
Notably, the festival comprised 2 arenas and 5 stages such as BACARDÍ ARENA, The Bat; CASA BACARDÍ, Pineapple Groove and NODWIN Gaming Stage.
For many, the 3-day festival further led to crucial artist discoveries amidst a shared passion for music, culture and even gaming.
Look out for the “happiest Indian festival” Bacardi NH7 Weekender – an IP of NODWIN Gaming presented by BACARDÍ experiences – next year!
