Fifteen upcoming artists we expect to break wider by 2027, drawn from Discography's 2026 coverage.

Rappers

  1. Yashraj — Mumbai rapper with reflective, story-driven Hindi verses. Start with: the 2022 EP Takiya Kalaam ("Musafir", "Mere Log").
  2. Tsumyoki — Raps and sings over melodic hooks and R&B production. Start with: "Pink Blue" with Bharg.
  3. Bharg — Producer-rapper whose beats are as recognisable as his voice. Start with: the 2023 album NIKAMMA ("Beqabu", "Boldu Sach" with Yashraj).
  4. Lil Payyan — Kerala rapper working in Malayalam, one of the fastest-rising regional names. Start with: the 16-song album SAB6 (2026).
  5. Meba Ofilia — Shillong singer moving into wider collaborations. Start with: "Closure" with Shriya Rao (2026).

Songwriters

  1. Hanita Bhambri — Mumbai-based singer-songwriter who turned from acoustic indie pop to darker pop. Start with: the debut album Shoharat (May 2025).
  2. Smiti Malik — New Delhi songwriter writing in English. Start with: the self-released debut EP Sad Songs For A Sunday (June 2026).
  3. Kanishk Sawhney — Mumbai singer-songwriter who came to music from finance. Start with: "Seedhi Saadhi" (October 2026), a duet with Namratha Othayoth.
  4. Vardaan Malhotra — New Delhi songwriter writing in Hindi on acoustic guitar. Start with: "Khatt" (2026), with sitar from Soumendra Goswami.
  5. Saahel — Mumbai singer trained in Hindustani classical; his debut "Zariya" (2022) won Radio City's best young indie artist award. Start with: "Baarish Mein Phir" (2025).

Bands and others

  1. AATMA — Chandigarh producer making house music from Indian sounds. Start with: "Mahadev" with GNDHI, from Ehsaas (2026).
  2. Sick Industry — New Delhi's Shreya Gajbhiye (ex-Ladyship), between rock and bedroom pop. Start with: the EP Rust in the Economy (April 2026).
  3. Alva Kuuto — Mangaluru band led by Praveen Alva, singing in Tulu. Start with: the self-titled album ALVA KUUTO (2025).
  4. Bawari Basanti — New Delhi singer setting ragas and sarangi inside modern production. Start with: the EP Wahh (May 2026).
  5. Meewakching — Imphal indie rock band formed in 2019. Start with: "Crabwalking In Imphal" from Bildungsroman (2025).

More: New Indian indie bands 2026 · Independent artists 2026

FAQ

Who are the upcoming artists of 2026?

In India: the 15 above.

Upcoming Indian rappers?

Yashraj, Tsumyoki, Bharg, Lil Payyan.

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