BITS Pilani Hosts Nationwide Hip-Hop Battle, Rap Wars

Kolkata rapper Anant Mohanka emerged the winner at Rap Wars. Photo: Courtesy of Rap Wars

In an effort to promote rising hip-hop talent in the country, premier engineering institute BITS Pilani hosted a nationwide rap battle recently. Called Rap Wars, the multi-city event witnessed prelim rounds in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Out of the many participants that entered the competition, eight shortlisted artists were selected to battle it out at the finals of Rap Wars at Rotunda, BITS Pilani.

The competition saw the finalists taking on each other in three separate rounds comprising an a cappella performance, an “on-beat” set with the backing of a DJ, and a final showcase gig.  Anant Mohanka from Kolkata bagged the winner’s title. He won a recording deal with record label Dada, an exclusive interview with Radio City Freedom as well as a cash prize. He says, “I have been rapping for a bit over a year, though I have been writing songs for six years.” Now a full-time musician, Mohanka is working towards a career in rap and is currently planning to release his songs.

Ace from the hip-hop group Mumbai’s Finest, who was one of the judges at Rap Wars, says it was difficult picking a winner. “There were a lot of guys that could rap well. We [the judges] took a decision on the spot to have a second rap battle between three competitors out of which one would go through.” The a cappella round was one that both the judges and the audience thoroughly enjoyed. “When they delivered a punch line, you could really connect,” says Ace.