A Decade of Disruption: From the Streets of Mumbai and London to the World Stage – The Legacy of Shantanu Shakahari and the Global Rise of Kamani Records

Mumbai, India: Ten years ago, in 2016, a cultural movement that had been quietly building in the streets of Andheri East, Mumbai, crystallized into a force that would help define a generation of Indian hip-hop. At its center stood one of the scene’s true pioneers — Shantanu Shakahari — founder of the multilingual rap collective Swadesi and a relentless architect of India’s independent hip-hop ecosystem. Responsible for scouting Reble and signing her up to Kamani for the EP titled Entropy in 2022

Hailing from the same Mumbai neighborhood that produced global rap icons such as Divine and Emiway Bantai, Shakahari dedicated over a decade to championing more than 100 emerging hip-hop artists across India. Through grassroots organizing, artist development, and community-building, he helped lay the foundations for what is now a globally recognized Indian hip-hop movement.

 

Today, we also honor the memory of Tod Fod, a core pillar of the movement whose spirit continues to inspire artists worldwide.

The Meeting That Sparked a Movement

In 2015, East London native Paul Barratt — also known as MC Solomon — arrived in India for the first time, reconnecting with his Indian roots. What began as a personal journey quickly became a cultural awakening. Introduced to Mumbai’s underground hip-hop community by Shakahari, Barratt witnessed firsthand the raw energy and untapped global potential of Indian rap.

Within a year, the two visionaries co-founded the Asian Hiphop Festival — India’s first dedicated hip-hop festival — creating a historic platform that united artists from across the subcontinent and the diaspora.

 

With the support of international collaborator MC Eucalips (also known as BeatboxWithoutBorders), the festival ran for five groundbreaking years in Goa. It welcomed legendary artists from India and across the globe, forging cross-continental collaborations and establishing India as a serious player in the global hip-hop conversation.

 

The Asian Hiphop Festival was more than an event — it was a statement: Indian hip-hop had arrived.

 

The Birth of Kamani Records: A Cultural Bridge

In 2020, building on the momentum of the festival’s success, Shakahari and Barratt launched Kamani Records — a music label and booking agency designed as a cultural bridge between South Asia and Europe.

Headquartered in Northwood, UK, Kamani Records focuses on elevating raw, authentic talent from Mumbai to London, with a core emphasis on hip-hop, reggae, and genre-blending fusion sounds.

 

Core Operations:

• Music Label & Global Distribution

Providing international distribution, strategic marketing, and radio playlist pitching under the leadership of Paul Barratt (MC Solomon) and Shantanu Pujari.

• International Booking Agency

Representing a diverse and powerful roster for global touring and live events, including legendary artists such as Apache Indian, General Levy, Congo Natty, Naezy, Lady Skavya, and Shakespeare.

Kamani Records was built on a singular belief: authentic voices from the margins deserve a global stage.

 

Reble: The Global Face of a New Era

The label’s breakout success came with the release of Entropy, the debut EP from 24-year-old rapper Reble — a defining moment not just for Kamani Records, but for South Asian hip-hop as a whole.

Born Daiaphi Lamare and hailing from Shillong in Meghalaya’s West Jaintia Hills, Reble represents a new generation of fearless artistry emerging from India’s Northeast. Her sound — an explosive fusion of hip-hop, grime, and trap — is matched by deeply personal storytelling centered on identity, trauma, rebellion, and resilience.

 

Career Highlights:

• Winner, Best Emerging Hip-Hop Artist, 2024 Indian Music Diaries Awards
• International tour at age 24
• Opened for NYC hip-hop legend Nas in Mumbai
• Breakout singles including “New Riot,” “Terror,” “Set It Off,” and “Bond Fission”
• Contributor to the 2025 Dhurandhar soundtrack
• Performer at the 2026 News18 Rising Bharat Summit

 

Reble is now recognized as one of the most powerful female voices in Asian rap — a testament to Kamani Records’ mission to platform uncompromising, world-class talent from India onto the global stage.

 

A Ten-Year Legacy — And a Global Future

From Andheri East’s underground cipher circles to sold-out international stages, the journey of Shantanu Shakahari, Paul Barratt, and Kamani Records represents more than industry success. It marks a cultural shift.

 

What began as grassroots advocacy for India’s overlooked hip-hop voices has evolved into a cross-continental movement connecting Mumbai, Goa, London, and beyond.

 

As Indian hip-hop continues its meteoric rise, the foundation built a decade ago stands firm — rooted in authenticity, powered by community, and driven by a belief that the world is ready for South Asia’s unfiltered voice.

Kamani Records is not just exporting music. It is exporting culture globally.

 

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