Paradox on MC Square: 'No comparison has ever existed between us'
Synopsis
Paradox has shut down any rivalry narrative with MC Square — not by denying tension, but by saying there was never one to begin with. As co-mentors on MTV Hustle 5, the two are channelling fan excitement into a promise: more music together is coming.
Key Takeaways
Paradox stated that fans have never compared him and MC Square , calling any rivalry narrative unfounded.
Both artists are serving as mentors on MTV Hustle 5 , themed 'Apna Homeground' .
Badshah returns as Rap Supremo ; the mentor panel also includes EPR and Agsy .
Paradox confirmed that collaborative music with MC Square is on the way.
MTV Hustle first aired in 2019 and has completed four seasons before the current fifth.
Hip-hop artist Paradox has dismissed the idea of rivalry or comparison with fellow rapper MC Square, saying both artists operate in distinct creative spaces and have never been pitted against each other by fans. The two are currently serving as mentors on MTV Hustle 5, the latest season of MTV's flagship rap reality show.
What Paradox Said
'I feel that there is no need to maintain it because there are many things in which both of us are experts, in many different aspects. And there has never been a situation where people have compared us,' Paradox said.
He went on to address the fan-driven excitement around potential collaborations: 'People want us to make music together because, when we make music together, all the skills are consumed by the people on the same plate. There has never been a comparison, but we like it when you expect us to collaborate. So, keep expecting the same from us, and you will keep getting new music together.'
MTV Hustle 5 and the New Season
MTV Hustle 5 carries the theme 'Apna Homeground', signalling a focus on regional identity and grassroots hip-hop culture. Rapper Badshah returns as Rap Supremo, while the mentor panel includes EPR as OG Squad Boss alongside MC Square, Paradox, and Agsy. Aspiring rappers compete across the season for the title of India's biggest hip-hop star.
The Show's Journey So Far
MTV Hustle first premiered in 2019, with Raftaar, Nucleya, and Raja Kumari as judges and Gaelyn Mendonca as host. The second season arrived in 2022, hosted by Krissann Barretto, with Badshah leading a panel of four squad bosses — EPR Iyer, Dino James, Dee MC, and King Rocco.
The third season in 2023 retained Badshah for a second consecutive year, with Wicked Sunny and Super Mannik co-hosting, and squad bosses including Ikka. The fourth season, which aired in 2024, saw Raftaar and Ikka take over judging duties, hosted by MC Talha and MC Jizzy.
What Fans Can Expect
Both Paradox and MC Square have hinted that collaborative music is in the pipeline, with Paradox encouraging fans to keep their expectations high. Their presence together on Hustle 5 is widely seen as a creative pairing rather than a competitive one — a dynamic that the show's format appears to actively cultivate.
Point of View
Fans are increasingly invested in artist ecosystems — who collaborates, who mentors, who brings what — rather than zero-sum battles. Paradox and MC Square on the same Hustle panel is less a competitive arrangement and more a deliberate brand play by MTV to leverage two of the genre's most distinct voices. Whether the promised collaborative music actually arrives — and when — will be the real test of that narrative.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Paradox say about comparisons with MC Square?
Paradox said there has never been a situation where fans compared him and MC Square, adding that both bring distinct skills. He framed their relationship as complementary rather than competitive.
What is MTV Hustle 5 about?
MTV Hustle 5 is the fifth season of MTV's hip-hop reality show, themed 'Apna Homeground'. Aspiring rappers compete to be crowned India's biggest hip-hop star, with Badshah as Rap Supremo and Paradox, MC Square, EPR, and Agsy as mentors.
Will Paradox and MC Square release music together?
Yes, Paradox has confirmed that collaborative music with MC Square is in the works, encouraging fans to keep expecting joint releases from the two.
Who has judged MTV Hustle across its seasons?
MTV Hustle has featured Raftaar, Nucleya, and Raja Kumari in Season 1; Badshah in Seasons 2 and 3; and Raftaar and Ikka in Season 4. Season 5 sees Badshah return as Rap Supremo alongside a new mentor panel.
When did MTV Hustle first air?
MTV Hustle premiered in 2019, hosted by Gaelyn Mendonca and judged by Raftaar, Nucleya, and Raja Kumari. It has since run four more seasons, with Season 5 currently on air.
