Cornelius R: Created First Info W/ Sources

2026-01-22T17:44:30Z

Created First Info W/ Sources

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{{short description|Indian record label}}

{{Infobox record label
| name = Mass Appeal India
| image = [[File:Mass Appeal logo.png|frameless|class=skin-invert]]
| parent = [[Mass Appeal Records]]
| founded = 2019
| distributor = [[Universal Music India]] (previously), [[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]] (current)
| genre = [[Hip hop]]
| country = India
| location = [[Mumbai]]
}}

'''Mass Appeal India''' is an Indian record label. It is a subsidiary [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] label of the American parent [[Mass Appeal Records]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mass Appeal India Is Now A Reality |url=https://www.rsjonline.com/buzz/mass-appeal-india-is-now-a-reality.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=www.rsjonline.com}}</ref> The label had partnered with [[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]] for music distribution.

== History ==
Mass Appeal India stated operating in August 2019 under partnership with the [[Universal Music India]]. The label first signed rapper [[Divine (rapper)|Divine]],<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Gurbaxani |first=Amit |date=2019-09-13 |title=Hindi Rapper Divine On Why He Signed With Mass Appeal India: 'It's Nas, Bro' |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/hindi-rapper-divine-signed-mass-appeal-india-nas/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> and released his first three solo studio albums ''Kohinoor'', ''Punya Paap'', and ''Gunehgar'', with a compilation album, ''Shutdown'', all of whom were released in partnership with Divine's own label [[Divine (rapper)#Gully Gang Entertainment|Gully Gang Entertainment]]. Artists like Aavrutti and Shah Rule also released their projects under Gully Gang Entertainment in partnership with Mass Appeal India; ''Naya Zamana'' in 2020 and ''Hooked'' in 2021, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aswad |first=Jem |date=2019-08-20 |title=Nas, Mass Appeal and Universal Music Launch Hip-Hop Label in India, Sign Divine |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/nas-mass-appeal-universal-music-launch-label-india-sign-divine-1203308110/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mass Appeal India, Gully Gang to release hip-hop compilation album 'SHUTDOWN' to banish lockdown blues |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/entertainment/music/mass-appeal-india-gully-gang-to-release-hip-hop-compilation-album-shutdown-to-banish-lockdown-blues20200606183841/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=[[ANI News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2020-09-18 |title=Aavrutti Drop 'Stage' Video, Talk Debut Album 'Naya Zamana' |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/aavrutti-drop-stage-video-talk-debut-album-naya-zamana/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=[[Rolling Stone India]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=2021-05-10 |title=Shah Rule on new EP Hooked, collaborating with DIVINE, and using music as a balm to pandemic wounds-Entertainment News , Firstpost |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/shah-rule-on-new-ep-hooked-collaborating-with-divine-and-using-music-as-a-balm-to-pandemic-wounds-9602931.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525180941/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/shah-rule-on-new-ep-hooked-collaborating-with-divine-and-using-music-as-a-balm-to-pandemic-wounds-9602931.html |archive-date=2021-05-25 |access-date=2026-01-17 |work=[[Firstpost]] |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref>

The label signed [[Raja Kumari]] in 2020. In 2022, the label terminated their partnership with the [[Universal Music India]] and formed a new music distribution agreement with [[The Orchard (company)|The Orchard]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-26 |title=Mass Appeal Records, co-owned by Nas, inks deal with The Orchard |url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/big-move-for-sony-music-as-nass-mass-appeal-label-inks-deal-with-the-orchard/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Music Business Worldwide |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2023, Mass Appeal India initiated signing [[Malayalam hip hop|Malayalam hip-hop]] artists through a program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lal |first=Sam |date=2020-10-11 |title=Rise of the street beat: India spits rhymes in Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Odia |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2020/Oct/11/rise-of-the-street-beat-india-spits-rhymes-in-hindi-malayalam-tamil-odia-2207716.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

American musician [[Kshmr|KSHMR]] also released his Indian hip-hop oriented album ''KARAM'' through Mass Appeal India, in partnership with his label Dharma Worldwide, which featured guest appearances from a plethora of Indian rappers like [[Seedhe Maut]], [[Yashraj]], [[KR$NA]], [[Raftaar]], [[Ikka Singh|Ikka]], [[Raja Kumari]], Yungsta, [[Riar Shaab|Riar Saab]], [[Munawar Faruqui]], and [[Altaf Tadavi|MC STΔN]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 6, 2023 |title=KSHMR In Conversation With Rolling Stone India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/rolling-stone-video/kshmr-karam-album-video-interview-seedhe-maut-mc-stan-raja-kumari/ |access-date=December 28, 2025 |website=[[Rolling Stone India]]}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Hirwani |first=Peony |date=2023-11-24 |title=KSHMR - Inspiring a Generation with Melodies and Meaning |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/cover-story-kshmr-inspiring-a-generation-with-melodies-and-meaning/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref>

In April 2025, Nas visited India again to perform at the Mass Appeal Presents: The World Reunion—A Charity Concert, hosted by Mass Appeal India, at The Nesco Center, in Mumbai. He was accompanied by various Indian-origin rappers, such as, [[Divine (rapper)|Divine]], [[Raftaar]], [[Ikka Singh|Ikka]], [[KR$NA]], [[King (singer)|King]], and [[Steel Banglez]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aurelius |first=Marcus |date=April 22, 2025 |title=Nas spends Easter weekend in India |url=https://liftedasia.com/article/nas-india |access-date=April 28, 2025 |website=LIFTED Asia}}</ref> In the same year, [[KRSNA (rapper)|KR$NA]] announced his first mixtape, ''Yours Truly'', which was released on 22 May 2025 and distributed via Mass Appeal India.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=28 April 2025 |title=KR$NA Teams Up with Nas' Mass Appeal for Highly Anticipated Project |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/krna-teams-up-with-nas-mass-appeal-for-highly-anticipated-project-1875587 |access-date=6 June 2025 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Kappal |first=Bhanuj |date=September 18, 2025 |title=GQ Hype: Kr$na on rap battles, his fandom awaam and playing the long game |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/gq-hype-krsna-on-rap-battles-his-fandom-awaam-and-playing-the-long-game |access-date=December 28, 2025 |website=[[GQ India]]}}</ref>

In January 2026, British-Punjabi folk singer Raf Saperra released his EP ''Venomz Vol.II'', featuring guest appearances from Taj Aulakh, Bobby Kang and American rappers [[Ghostface Killah]] and [[Benny the Butcher]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=DAILY |first=GRM |date=2026-01-16 |title=Raf-Saperra Teams Up With Benny The Butcher On New Track "Butcher's Scale" & New EP 'Venomz Vol II' |url=https://grmdaily.com/raf-saperra-benny-the-butcher-butchers-scale/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=GRM Daily |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-16 |title=Raf Saperra Releases Striking New Album ‘Venomz Vol. 2’ Ft. Ghostface Killah & Benny The Butcher Via Mass Appea |url=https://hiphop-n-more.com/2026/01/raf-saperra-new-album-venomz-vol-2-ft-ghostface-killah-benny-the-butcher-mass-appeal/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=HipHop-N-More |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Artists ==

* [[ThirumaLi]]
* [[Divine (rapper)|Divine]]<ref name=":0" />
* [[Jass Manak]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirwani |first=Peony |date=2024-01-12 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Jass Manak Partners With Mass Appeal India |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/jass-manak-partners-with-mass-appeal-india/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Dabzee]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-09-15 |title=INTERVIEW {{!}} 'Manavaalan Thug' was meant for my album: Indie artist Dabzee |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/kochi/2023/Sep/15/interview-manavaalan-thug-was-meant-for-my-album-indie-artistdabzee-2614911.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Vedan (rapper)|Vedan]]
* [[AP Dhillon]]
* [[Kshmr|KSHMR]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=American DJ KSHMR Teams Up With Pop Icons King & Zaeden On New Track 'Aawara'; Deets Inside |url=https://www.news18.com/entertainment/american-dj-kshmr-teams-up-with-pop-icons-king-deets-inside-8825409.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Heems]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Houghton |first=Edwin |date=2024-03-12 |title=New York's desi rap star Heems's new album re-imagines the diasporic experience as a place to be whole |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/new-yorks-desi-rap-star-heemss-new-album-re-imagines-the-diasporic-experience-as-a-place-to-be-whole |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN}}</ref>
* The Ranjha<ref>{{Cite web |last=Britto |first=David |date=2024-05-21 |title=How A Viral Cypher Catapulted The Ranjha to Release His Song 'Muqabala' Via Mass Appeal |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/how-a-viral-cypher-catapulted-the-ranjha-to-release-his-song-muqabala-via-mass-appeal/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref>
* JASKARAN<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=October 31, 2024 |title=Interview: Breakthrough Punjabi Emcee Jaskaran On His Debut Album ‘Divine Violence’ With Mass Appeal, Sidhu Moose Wala, Punjab’s Musical Heritage & Censorship |url=https://culturehaze.com/interview-breakthrough-punjabi-emcee-jaskaran-on-his-debut-album-divine-violence-with-mass-appeal-sidhu-moose-wala-punjabs-musical-heritage-censorship/ |access-date=April 19, 2025 |website=Culture Haze}}</ref>

== Discography ==
=== Albums, mixtapes and EPs ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!Artist(s)
!Title
!Ref
|-
|2019
|[[Divine (rapper)|DIVINE]]
|''Kohinoor''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2023-10-09 |title=DIVINE Celebrates Four Years Since the Release of 'Kohinoor' Album |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/divine-kohinoor-album-release-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="5" |2020
|[[Ikka Singh|Ikka]]
|''I''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2020-10-16 |title=Mass Appeal India signs rapper IKKA; to launch 'Level Up' on October 26 |url=https://mediabrief.com/mass-appeal-india-signs-rapper-ikka/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=MediaBrief |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|Various Artists
|''Shutdown''
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-06-06 |title=‘Shutdown’, a hip hop album on lockdown by Mass Appeal India and Divine’s Gully Gang |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/music/shutdown-a-hip-hop-album-on-lockdown-by-mass-appeal-india-and-gully-gang/article31765209.ece |access-date=2026-01-17 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
|-
|Kidshot
|''Bhot Kuch''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wangchuk |first=Rinchen Norbu |title=‘Discovering Hip Hop Helped Me Break National Records & Escape Slum Crime’ |url=https://thebetterindia.com/310433/mumbai-powai-slum-hip-hop-rap-artist-kidshot-set-national-record-escape-life-of-crime/ |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=thebetterindia.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Divine (rapper)|DIVINE]]
|''Punya Paap''
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-01-04 |title=How DIVINE's latest album Punya Paap took shape in post-lockdown India |url=https://www.redbull.com/in-en/divine-punya-paap-album |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Red Bull |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|Aavrutti
|''Naya Zamana''
|<ref name=":5" />
|-
|2021
|Shah Rule
|''Hooked''
|<ref name=":6" />
|-
| rowspan="2" |2022
|Ab 17, Sez on the Beat
|''TEZ FILAM''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=2024-05-27 |title=When Dua Lipa Met SRK: Outdustry Have Cracked Artist Campaigns |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/outdustry-artist-campaigns-dua-lipa-lauv-jvke-mvmnt/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-18 |title=Indian hip hop producer of 'Gully Boy' fame picks young rapper from the dark gullies of New Delhi as the next one to watch |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indian-hip-hop-producer-of-gully-boy-fame-picks-young-rapper-from-the-dark-gullies-of-new-delhi-as-the-next-one-to-watch/articleshow/95605096.cms |access-date=2026-01-11 |work=[[Times of India]] |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
|[[Divine (rapper)|DIVINE]]
|''Gunehgar''
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-10 |title=DIVINE's Third Album 'Gunehgar' Featuring Global Guest Collaborators Such As Russ, Jadakiss, Armani White And Hit-Boy Out Now via Mass Appeal India! – MusiCulture |url=https://www.musiculture.in/divines-third-album-gunehgar-featuring-global-guest-collaborators-such-as-russ-jadakiss-armani-white-and-hit-boy-out-now-via-mass-appeal-india/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" |2023
|[[Tsumyoki]]
|''A Message From The Moon''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tripathi |first=Shirish |date=2023-06-28 |title=Tsumyoki Curates an Emotional and Heartfelt Album "A Message From The Moon" {{!}} |url=https://theindianmusicdiaries.com/tsumyoki-curates-an-emotional-and-heartfelt-album-a-message-from-the-moon/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The Indian Music Diaries |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|[[Kshmr|KSHMR]]
|''KARAM''
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|Dakait, Sez on the Beat
|''Dev Nagri Aur Main''
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-12 |title=Dakait Drops Huge Debut Album 'Dev Nagri Aur Main' F/ Raga, Yungsta, Team Evolution & More, Prod. By Sez On The Beat - Culture Haze |url=https://culturehaze.com/dakait-drops-huge-debut-album-dev-nagri-aur-main-f-raga-yungsta-more-prod-by-sez-on-the-beat/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|yungsta, Sez on the Beat
|''MEEN''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plus |first=Music |date=2023-05-11 |title=Yungsta and Sez on the Beat to release their debut album MEEN |url=https://www.musicplus.in/the-mvmnt-and-nas-mass-appeal-india-release-yungsta-sez-on-the-beats-debut-album-meen/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Musicplus |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="5" |2024
|JASKARAN
|''DIVINE VIOLENCE''
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
|Raf Saperra
|''5 Deadly Venomz''
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Folklore Of Raf Saperra's '5 Deadly Venomz' |url=https://trenchtrenchtrench.com/features/the-folklore-of-raf-saperra-5-deadly-venomz |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=trenchtrenchtrench.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
|Nazz
|''BATHROOM SINGER''
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=GUMNAAM |url=https://www.chartoo.in/itunes/song/1735892082-gumnaam |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Chartoo |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|-
|[[Divine (rapper)|DIVINE]], [[Karan Aujla]]
|''STREET DREAMS''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Alexandra |date=2024-02-16 |title=Indian Rap Stars DIVINE and Karan Aujla Share Collaborative Album, 'Street Dreams' |url=https://audibletreats.com/divine-karan-aujla_pr2/ |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Audible Treats |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Heems]]
|''LAFANDAR''
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heems Returns with New Album 'Lafandar,' Brings Das Racist Mixtapes to Vinyl {{!}} Exclaim! |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/heems-returns-with-new-album-lafandar-brings-das-racist-mixtapes-to-vinyl |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Heems Returns with New Album 'Lafandar,' Brings Das Racist Mixtapes to Vinyl {{!}} Exclaim! |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Houghton |first=Edwin |date=2024-03-12 |title=New York’s desi rap star Heems’s new album re-imagines the diasporic experience as a place to be whole |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/new-yorks-desi-rap-star-heemss-new-album-re-imagines-the-diasporic-experience-as-a-place-to-be-whole |access-date=2026-01-17 |website=[[GQ India]] |language=en-IN}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |2025
|KR$NA
|''Yours Truly''
|<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />
|-
|Various Artists
|''The Lehar Chandigarh Mixtape''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=October 9, 2025 |title=Rap Recap: Ed Sheeran Taps Karan Aujla, Seedhe Maut’s Tour, Lehar Chandigarh Mixtape and More |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/rap-recap-seedhe-maut-tour-farhan-khan-naam-sujal/ |access-date=December 28, 2025 |website=[[Rolling Stone India]]}}</ref>
|-
|2026
|Raf Saperra
|''Venomz Vol.II''
|<ref name=":7" />
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Indian record labels]]
[[Category:Hip-hop record labels]]
[[Category:Labels distributed by Universal Music Group]]
[[Category:2019 establishments in Maharashtra]]

Mass Appeal India - Revision history

Cornelius R: Created First Info W/ Sources