Badshah marks 20 years in music with emotional note on gains and losses
Synopsis
Twenty years in, Badshah chose verse over press release — a carousel of childhood photos and an open-ended poem promising to 'someday' reveal what he truly gained and lost. It is an unusually raw milestone post from one of Indian pop music's most commercially dominant figures, and it raises as many questions as it answers.
Key Takeaways
Badshah celebrated 20 years in the music industry on 5 June with a throwback photo carousel and an emotional verse.
The post opens with a childhood photo of Badshah with his father and traces his journey through teenage and early adult years.
His verse hints at untold stories: 'Kya khoya kya paaya' (what I lost, what I gained) — with a promise to share more 'someday'.
Singer Jubin Nautiyal responded in the comments with a lighthearted message.
Badshah began his career in the hip-hop collective Mafia Mundeer alongside Yo Yo Honey Singh , Raftaar , and Ikka .
His solo hits include 'DJ Waley Babu' , 'Paagal' , 'Genda Phool' , and 'Jugnu' , among others.
Rapper-singer Badshah marked 20 years in the Indian music industry on 5 June with an emotional social media post featuring a carousel of throwback photographs and a deeply personal Urdu-Hindi verse reflecting on the highs, lows, and sacrifices of his career. The post quickly drew responses from fellow artists and fans alike.
The Post and What It Said
Badshah — born Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia — opened the photo series with a childhood image of himself seated beside his father, followed by glimpses from his teenage years and early adulthood. The accompanying note, written in verse, was both introspective and deliberately unresolved.
In his own words: '20 years in the game. Ye raste kahan kahan se guzre, kisi din batayenge tumhe... Kya khoya kya paaya, kya kharcha kya kamaaya... Hua kya aur kya nahi kisi din batayenge tumhe. Hum jeete ya nahi kisi din batayenge tumhe.'
Translated, the verse reads: 'These roads have taken me through countless places; someday I will tell you. What I lost, what I gained, what I spent and what I earned. Someday I will tell you what happened and what did not. Someday I will tell you whether I truly won or not.'
Singer Jubin Nautiyal commented on the post: 'Handsome boy. Now long hair plz.'
From Mafia Mundeer to Solo Stardom
Badshah began his musical journey as a founding member of the hip-hop collective Mafia Mundeer, alongside Yo Yo Honey Singh, Raftaar, and Ikka. His transition to solo work redefined mainstream Indian pop, with breakthrough tracks such as 'DJ Waley Babu' paving the way for a string of chart-toppers.
His catalogue includes 'Kar Gayi Chull', 'Mercy', 'Paagal', 'Genda Phool', 'Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai', 'Kala Chashma', 'Proper Patola', 'Tareefan', 'Jugnu', and 'Players' — a body of work that spans Punjabi hip-hop, Bollywood playback, and crossover pop.
Beyond the Music
Over two decades, Badshah has expanded well beyond recording. He has served as a judge on multiple reality television shows and is widely regarded as one of the most commercially successful figures in Indian popular music. His ability to straddle underground rap credibility and mainstream appeal has made him a rare constant across shifting industry trends.
What the Milestone Signals
The post's deliberately open-ended tone — 'someday I will tell you' — has fuelled speculation among fans about a potential memoir, documentary, or extended interview. Notably, Badshah has not announced any specific project tied to the anniversary. The reflection comes at a time when the Indian independent music ecosystem has grown significantly, with streaming platforms transforming how artists like Badshah built and sustained careers over the long term.
Point of View
The introspective verse signals either a genuine pivot toward personal storytelling or savvy brand repositioning ahead of a major project. Either way, the Indian music industry's 20-year arc he represents — from underground Punjabi rap to streaming-era pop dominance — deserves more than a social media post. The story of how Mafia Mundeer dissolved and how Badshah emerged as the commercial survivor of that group remains largely untold publicly, and that gap is exactly what his verse is gesturing at.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Badshah celebrating 20 years in the music industry?
Badshah marked two decades since he began his musical career, sharing throwback photographs and a personal verse on social media on 5 June. He started his journey as part of the hip-hop collective Mafia Mundeer before transitioning to a highly successful solo career.
What did Badshah write in his 20-year anniversary post?
He wrote an Urdu-Hindi verse reflecting on roads travelled, sacrifices made, and things gained and lost — with a recurring refrain of 'kisi din batayenge tumhe' (someday I will tell you). The post did not reveal specifics but promised a fuller account in the future.
Who is Badshah and what is his real name?
Badshah's real name is Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia. He is one of India's most commercially successful rapper-singers, known for hits including 'DJ Waley Babu', 'Paagal', 'Genda Phool', and 'Jugnu', and began his career in the group Mafia Mundeer alongside Yo Yo Honey Singh and Raftaar.
Which artists were part of Mafia Mundeer with Badshah?
Mafia Mundeer included Badshah, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Raftaar, and Ikka. The collective was a foundational force in mainstream Punjabi hip-hop before its members went on to individual solo careers.
What are Badshah's biggest hit songs?
Badshah's most notable tracks include 'DJ Waley Babu', 'Kar Gayi Chull', 'Mercy', 'Paagal', 'Genda Phool', 'Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai', 'Kala Chashma', 'Proper Patola', 'Tareefan', 'Jugnu', and 'Players', spanning Bollywood playback, Punjabi pop, and independent releases.
