She’s disruptive with a touch of innovation. A sharpshooter but also a poet. There’s no denying that Deepa Unnikrishnan aka Dee MC is an epitome of greatness and has built a solid, unique legacy for herself in Indian hip-hop.

“I feel there’s a higher purpose to hip-hop coming into my life, and hip-hop finding its space in India,” says the Mumbai artist on the third episode of Hennessy Freestyle.

In a chit chat with Rolling Stone India’s Executive Editor Nirmika Singh, Dee MC gave a rare peek into what it means to be one of the very few women artists in Indian hip-hop. Her stance, ever so vocal and nuanced, comes from a place of marginalization and co-option. “There are barely any women in India’s hip-hop scene; it’s all men. There were a lot of all-boy crews that wanted me to join them, but I’d refuse saying they should make it a point to enlist more women,” says the breakout artist who has seminal hits to her name, such as the 2019 singles “Rang” and “Vadhaiyaan” that deal with colorism and freedom. “Sadly, feminism becomes a female’s problem because we have to put our weight behind it to see any kind of change,” she says.

Dee MC is one of the six guests on this special podcast that chronicles and celebrates the stories of India’s biggest hip-hop icons. Presented by Hennessy and Rolling Stone India, Hennessy Freestyle featured Raftaar and Dino James in the previous two episodes while rappers Kr$na, Karma and Fotty Seven will be guests in the upcoming conversations. For decades, Hennessy has cultivated a realm for seasoned and upcoming hip-hop artists to express themselves. The relationship Hennessy has expresses hip-hop has inspired acclaimed artists such as Drake, Tupac, and many more to inculcate the brand into their artistry as an emblem of finesse.

On her revelatory episode, Dee MC also declares that despite the mainstreaming of Indian hip-hop in the past five years and the talk of community, a lot still remains to be done. “I am one with your brotherhood, but I am not your brother,” she says, adding, “As females we are not really taught to take pride in our accomplishments, no matter how much progress we make. The amount of success I have been getting, I have been extra careful about sharing it.”

(Hennessy Freestyle Podcast is for viewing by those aged 25 and above only. Drink Hennessy responsibly)

Source: RollingStone India