MC Square: Underground music has gone mainstream in India
Synopsis
MC Square — the Haryanvi rapper who built his name in underground hip-hop — is now arguing there is no underground left. As a mentor on MTV Hustle 5, Abhishek Baisla says the genre's own trajectory, including his own hits, proves that the mainstream-underground divide is over. It's a striking claim from someone who lived on both sides of that line.
Key Takeaways
MC Square (real name Abhishek Baisla ) is a mentor on MTV Hustle Season 5 , themed 'Apna Homeground' .
He rejected the 'commercial' label, saying art should not be defined by its earnings or popularity.
He stated that underground music has become mainstream , citing his own songs as examples.
Badshah serves as Rap Supremo on Hustle 5 , with EPR , Paradox , and Agsy also on the mentor panel.
The MTV Hustle franchise launched in 2019 and is now in its fifth season.
Rapper MC Square, currently serving as a mentor on the fifth season of MTV Hustle, says the boundary between underground and mainstream music has effectively dissolved — and that labelling any art form 'commercial' based on its popularity misses the point entirely. The comments came during a conversation around Hustle 5, which premiered with the theme 'Apna Homeground'.
What MC Square Said
MC Square, whose real name is Abhishek Baisla, pushed back against the idea that MTV Hustle caters only to a niche audience. 'I feel that art is such a thing that if it earns four paise, then it is called commercial. I don't believe in the definition of commercial as such — that a particular type of music is commercial,' he said.
He went further, pointing to the genre's own trajectory as evidence: 'Nowadays, you must have seen that even underground music has become mainstream music. There are many such examples in front of us. Even our own songs have many such examples.'
Why the Distinction No Longer Holds
The rapper argued that MTV Hustle serves a broader audience than critics give it credit for. 'Those who like to listen to songs also watch this show. And you get to listen to other songs as well. The talks are also very good, and you get to learn. So, it is for everyone. It is not for a niche audience,' he said.
This perspective reflects a wider shift in Indian music consumption, where streaming platforms have broken down the walls that once separated underground hip-hop from Bollywood-adjacent pop. Artists like MC Square himself — known for tracks such as 'Ram Ram', 'Chhore Ncr Aale', and 'Naina Ki Talwar' — have built mass followings without abandoning their underground roots.
About Hustle 5 and Its Mentors
MTV Hustle 5 carries the theme 'Apna Homeground' and features rapper Badshah as Rap Supremo. The mentor panel includes EPR as OG Squad Boss, alongside MC Square, Paradox, and Agsy. Aspiring rappers compete across episodes for the title of India's biggest hip-hop star.
The franchise first aired in 2019, with its debut season judged by Raftaar, Nucleya, and Raja Kumari, hosted by Gaelyn Mendonca. Now in its fifth edition, the show's longevity itself is an argument for the mainstream appetite MC Square describes.
What This Signals for Indian Hip-Hop
The genre's mainstreaming is not incidental. Regional rap in Hindi, Haryanvi, and Punjabi has consistently broken into national charts over the past five years, with artists who began in underground battle circuits now headlining festivals and brand campaigns. MC Square's own rise — from underground circuit to a national reality platform — is a case study in that shift. Whether Hustle 5 produces the next such crossover act remains to be seen.
Point of View
Punjabi drill, and Hindi trap now share playlists with Bollywood ballads. What's worth noting is that this mainstreaming has not always meant artistic elevation; it has often meant sonic smoothing for algorithm compatibility. The real question Hustle 5 should be asking is not whether hip-hop is mainstream, but whether the show's competitive format produces artists with longevity or merely viral moments.
NationPress
22 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is MC Square and what is his role on MTV Hustle 5?
MC Square, whose real name is Abhishek Baisla, is a rapper from the Haryanvi hip-hop scene known for tracks like 'Ram Ram' and 'Naina Ki Talwar'. He serves as a mentor on MTV Hustle Season 5, which airs on MTV India.
What did MC Square say about underground music becoming mainstream?
MC Square said that underground music has effectively become mainstream music in India today, and that even his own songs are examples of this shift. He also rejected the idea that any art form should be called 'commercial' simply because it earns money or gains popularity.
What is the theme of MTV Hustle Season 5?
MTV Hustle Season 5 carries the theme 'Apna Homeground'. Badshah serves as Rap Supremo, with EPR, MC Square, Paradox, and Agsy as mentors. Aspiring rappers compete to be named India's biggest hip-hop star.
When did MTV Hustle first air and who judged the first season?
MTV Hustle first premiered in 2019. The debut season was judged by Raftaar, Nucleya, and Raja Kumari, with Gaelyn Mendonca as host.
Is MTV Hustle only for hip-hop fans?
According to MC Square, the show is for everyone — not a niche audience. He argued that viewers who enjoy all kinds of music watch the show, and that it also offers insight into the craft and conversations around music-making.
