Indian Hip Hop’s frontrunner, DIVINE, recently dropped his second album ‘Punya Paap’. It’s been a journey full of high notes for this rapper who has now become the first Indian rapper to be featured on the Spotify Billboard in Times Square, New York. ‘Punya Paap’ released through hip hop legend Nas’ label Mass Appeal India, in association with Gully Gang Entertainment.
DIVINE’s sophomore album has already garnered 16 millions + streams on Spotify and claimed the number one spot on Apple Music India (all genres) within 16 hours of its release. Currently, it has two tracks from the album in Apple Music India’s Top 50 list and multiple tracks on Spotify India’s Top 50 list. Divine collaborated with hip-hop legend Nas on the song ‘Walking Mircale’.
Some of the other artists featured in the album include Dutchavelli, Lisa Mishra, Cocoa Sarai, Stylo G, D’Evil and MC Altaf. Furthermore, producers like Stunnah, Karan Kanchan as well as Grammy winning producer iLL Wayno worked on this album with the rapper.
Divine featured on Times square, NYC billboard
Talking about the milestone, DIVINE said “‘Mirchi’ secured a spot on the YouTube Top 100 Global Songs recently, a first for me with regards to a global charting. And now that we have made it to the iconic Times Square. This is a sign that the story of hip-hop in India is no longer confined to a nascent perspective, but it’s burgeoning and we are headed for exciting times. Life is good and I’m grateful.”
For any artist coming from humble beginnings, achieving a feat like this is beyond anything imaginable. Divine’s journey has taken him from the streets of Mumbai all the way onto a Billboard in Times Square. For Hip Hop artists back in the States as well, this in another level of accomplishment. So for a homegrown Desi artist this must feel nothing less than dream come true. Much like the rapper says in multiple songs from the album, one should keep dreaming.
Earlier this year, Bollywood singer Armaan Malik had charted history by becoming the first Indian to be featured on the Times Square Billboard for his English single ‘Control’. DIVINE has been on a historic run and this milestone only solidifies his position in Desi Hip Hop scene. Stream DIVINE‘s new album ‘Punya Paap’ below and share your views with us!