By Rishabh Jain –
Today, Salvi is part of the growing number of Christian hip-hop artists in India. With distinct Indian rhythms, languages, and experiences, the pioneers of the art form are pushing against Christians more accustomed to traditional worship-band music, as well as facing the growing anti-Christian sentiment in the Hindu-dominated country. Using social media platforms and rapping at youth group meetings, these artists hope to influence a new generation of Christians.
“I grew up immersed in rhythm and poetry, but it was Christ who gave it purpose,” Salvi said.
India was first introduced to hip-hop in the 1980s through break-dancing films like Beat Street, and it grew in urban hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. In the early 2000s, homegrown artists like Bohemia, Baba Sehgal, and Yo Yo Honey Singh localized hip-hop with regional dialogue and exposure in Bollywood films. More recently, gully rap, a socially conscious style of rap that started in Mumbai, is growing in popularity with rappers like Divine and Naezy.
On a humid evening in June 2019, 18-year-old Joel Salvi stepped onto the stage inside a dimly lit Catholic church in Pune, a city in India’s Maharashtra state, as nearly 50 teenagers filled the pews, murmuring with anticipation. The moment the beat dropped—deep, thumping bass vibrating the church walls—Salvi grabbed the mic. Rapping in Hindi, he launched into “Mera Khuda Aayega” (“My God Will Come”), his voice cutting through the air with urgency and conviction. With every verse, he urged the crowd to turn to God in moments of despair, as he proclaimed that even in disappointment, the Lord remains faithful.
Afterward, he remembers a young man approaching him in tears. “He felt seen and loved by God for the first time,” Salvi said. “That moment wrecked me. I knew then this wasn’t entertainment; it was ministry.”
Salvi, who comes from in a Christian family in Pune, grew up listening to American Christian rappers such as Lecrae, KB, Propaganda, Tedashii, and Sho Baraka (who is also the editorial director of CT’s Big Tent Initiative). In 2019, Salvi started writing and performing his own rap songs in churches and Christian concerts.
Today, Salvi is part of the growing number of Christian hip-hop artists in India. With distinct Indian rhythms, languages, and experiences, the pioneers of the art form are pushing against Christians more accustomed to traditional worship-band music, as well as facing the growing anti-Christian sentiment in the Hindu-dominated country. Using social media platforms and rapping at youth group meetings, these artists hope to influence a new generation of Christians.
“I grew up immersed in rhythm and poetry, but it was Christ who gave it purpose,” Salvi said.
India was first introduced to hip-hop in the 1980s through break-dancing films like Beat Street, and it grew in urban hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. In the early 2000s, homegrown artists like Bohemia, Baba Sehgal, and Yo Yo Honey Singh localized hip-hop with regional dialogue and exposure in Bollywood films. More recently, gully rap, a socially conscious style of rap that started in Mumbai, is growing in popularity with rappers like Divine and Naezy.
DISCOVER MORE HERE about Hip Hop in India.