Badshah: Rs 1 Crore Hustle Prize Reflects Culture’s Growth
Rapper Badshah says the Rs 1 crore winner’s prize for MTV Hustle Season 5 reflects how far Indian hip-hop has come, as the show returns with the theme ‘Apna Homeground’.
Mumbai: Rapper Badshah has said that the decision to raise the winner’s prize for the fifth season of MTV Hustle to Rs 1 crore reflects how far Indian hip-hop culture has progressed.
Speaking about the upcoming season, Badshah said: “Hustle has always been about discovering artists with something real to say. Every season we’ve seen incredible talent come from every corner of the country and build a place for themselves in Indian hip-hop.”
He added: “The ₹1 crore winner prize is a reflection of how far the culture has come and how much we believe in the artists who are shaping its future. This season is all about ‘Apna Homeground’ celebrating where you come from, because that’s where every artist’s story begins.”
Season 5 is built around the theme “Apna Homeground,” which focuses on the people, places and experiences that shape an artist’s journey. Contestants from across India will present their individual stories, sounds and identities while competing for the show’s largest prize to date, highlighting the diversity within the country’s growing hip-hop scene.
Alongside Badshah, the season features EPR, MC Square, Paradox and Agsy.
Earlier in July, when the theme was announced, Badshah had described “Apna Homeground” as a tribute to the communities and experiences that build an artist from the ground up. “Hustle has always been a groundbreaking platform, and coming back this season truly feels like home,” he said at the time. “I can’t wait to discover next big voices of the Indian hip-hop circuit.”
Hustle Season 5 premieres on August 8 on MTV and will also stream on JioHotstar. The show first aired in 2019 with Raftaar, Nucleya and Raja Kumari as judges and Gaelyn Mendonca as host.
The increased prize money and the emphasis on regional roots signal the organisers’ intent to further mainstream Indian hip-hop while keeping the focus on authentic voices and the communities that nurture them.
