Prabh Deep

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Prabh Deep
Prabh Deep SXSW Sydney 2024.jpg
Prabh Deep at SXSW Sydney, October 2024
Born
Prabhdeep Singh

(1993-12-26) 26 December 1993 (age 31) [1]
Tilak Nagar, Delhi, India
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • Songwriter
  • Music producer
Years active2017–present
Musical career
Genres
LabelsAzadi Records
Website Prabh Deep Music

Prabhdeep Singh (born 26 December 1993), better known by his stage name, Prabh Deep, is an Indian rapper, songwriter and music producer. He gained recognition in the Indian music industry after the release of his debut album Class-Sikh which debuted at number 2 on iTunes India albums chart and quickly ranked up to number 1 by the end of the year. [2]

Contents

Early life

Prabh Deep was born on 26 December 1993 in the West Delhi suburb of Tilak Nagar to a Sikh family. His mother, Jaswinder Kaur, was a small-scale businesswoman. His father, Manmohan Singh, had lost his father and four brothers during a killing spree by angry mobs during the 1984 riots in Nangloi Jat, and developed addictions while struggling with the post-traumatic stress. The family was, therefore, supported by the earnings through the hair salon run by Prabh Deep's mother. [3]

Prabh Deep decided to drop out of high school right before his 12th standard board examination on account of the pointlessness of the Indian education system. His mother supported his decision to quit school to build his own path in music. [4]

The increasing financial troubles of the family, as well as bullying in school, eventually got him involved in a street gang, partaking in streetfights, petty jobs such as selling second-hand phones and motorbikes at a mark-up and acting as a middleman for money lenders. Later on, he also had a short stint as a salesman at a garment shop and as a call centre executive for three years before pursuing a full-time career in music. [4]

Career

2008: Career beginnings

Around the summer of 2008, Prabh Deep and his childhood friend Happu witnessed a dance crew performing stunts in a park. Impressed by the urban dance form, he and Happu joined a hip-hop dance group in the neighbouring area of Vikaspuri and spent the next few years practising b-boying. [3] [4] While continuing his jobs as a call centre executive and salesman, Prabh Deep maintained close contact with the Delhi hip-hop circuit while undergoing a slow transition from a dancer to an emcee. [5]

2015-2019: Debut album, Azadi Records and Bollywood

Through rapper Zan Twoshadez and hip-hop culture researcher Jaspal Singh, Prabh Deep was introduced to the open mic nights and similar events in Delhi that laid the foundation of his rapping career. In 2015, Prabh Deep connected with indie music producer Sez on the Beat on Facebook and began co-producing music. Sez signed him to the indie record Azadi Records. [5] The entirety of Class-Sikh was produced in Sez's home studio. [4]

Prabh Deep marked his entry in Bollywood with his song Sherni for Anurag Kashyap's 2018 drama Manmarziyaan . [6] The following year, Prabh Deep released his self-produced debut EP, K I N G. [7]

2020-present: Tabia, departure from Azadi Records and further successes

He also wrote and performed the song Toofan Main for the original soundtrack of the Amazon Prime crime series Paatal Lok. [8]

The year 2021 marked the release of his sophomore album, Tabia. This became the first Indian hip-hop album to be reviewed by Pitchfork. [9] [10]

In 2022, he released his third album, Bhram. In 2023, he released his collaborative EP with Raftaar, PRAA, as well as the deluxe version of his third studio album, Bhram, featuring guest appearances from fellow Azadi Records signees Seedhe Maut and Ahmer, Raftaar, Ikka, and GD-47. [11] This also marked his last release with the label, and soon after, he departed from the label. [12] He also appeared on the 2023 season of Coke Studio Bharat with Taqdeer. [13]

In 2024, he released the sequel to his debut EP, KING Returns, and also collaborated with John Jacobs for his new eyewear line, The Turban Edit Collection. [14] In the same year, he released his debut mixtape, DSP, featuring Faris Shafi, Dhanji, GD-47 and Sickflip, among others. He also made his screen debut with JioCinema's Khalbali Records, alongside fellow rappers like Ahmer, Agsy, EPR Iyer and Yungsta. [15]

Artistry

Influences

Prabh Deep cites Eminem and Dr. Dre as his idols. [5]

Themes and genres

Prabh Deep is described as an innovative lyricist whose music has socially conscious origins. Throughout his album Class-Sikh, his music revolved around the hidden, grimy underbelly scenery of suburbs of Delhi. [4] For his album Class-Sikh, he picked up various bits and pieces from his personal experiences including the story of his childhood friend Abu's fall into drug addiction, crime and eventually murder. His music is described as slang-inflected with bits of Punjabi, Hindi and English. [16] His song Suno narrates the complex and unfortunate education system of India that leads to suicides and drug overdoses by the youth in India. He also discussed issues like 2019–2021 Jammu and Kashmir lockdown in Elaan, violence-instigating politics by the governments of global superpowers including the US and India in King and the violence and brutalities of the hidden underbelly of Delhi in Toofan Main. [17] Amar is an introspective track, with him talking about preparing for death and his soul's immortality through his art. [7] His critically-acclaimed track Chitta, revolves around a character representing Prabh Deep himself, and his interactions in a world ruled by the corrupt, the wealthy and the powerful; as well as the deep-rooted problems in India's neighbourhoods. [18] [19] His album Tabia explores the themes of self discovery, spiritual awakening, pride and humility. [20]

Discography

Film music

YearFilm / SeriesSongArtist(s)
2018 Manmarziyaan SherniPrabh Deep
2020 Paatal Lok Toofan MainPrabh Deep & Sez on the Beat
2024 Khalbali Records Tham JaPrabh Deep
Majbur Mazdur

Albums and EPs

YearAlbum / EPTrackArtist(s)Produced by
2017Class-SikhIntroPrabh Deep & Sez on the BeatSez on the Beat
Suno
I don't Care
Abu
Click Clack
Kal (Future)
Kal
G Maane
Bullshit
Murder
Oye Oye
Classsikh
2019K I N GMayaPrabh Deep ft. Archit Anand & HashbassPrabh Deep
KalaPrabh Deep
Amar
Khat
Hira
King
2021TabiaTabiaPrabh DeepPrabh Deep
Qafir
Paapi
PreetPrabh Deep & Lambo Drive
TaqatPrabh Deep & IDEK?
AlopePrabh Deep ft. Zan TwoshadezPrabh Deep, Tienas, RaySon4 7 & Zero Chill
AntarPrabh DeepRichard Craker
AbaadPrabh Deep ft. SYPS
QaabuPrabh DeepPrabh Deep & Lambo Drive
HuqumRichard Craker
Babur
WaqafPrabh Deep
GyaniRichard Craker
SthirPrabh Deep
Safar
2022BhramPaisaPrabh DeepPrabh Deep
ShauratPrabh Deep & Lambo Drive
RishtePrabh Deep
NafratPrabh Deep ft. SYPSPrabh Deep & EMi EMi
IzzatPrabh DeepPrabh Deep
Khayal
Inayat
TajurbaPrabh Deep & Lambo Drive
2023PRAAABBU Raftaar & Prabh DeepTonybasu
BADNAAMLambo Drive
HELLOAnywaywell
TRAP PRAAUmair
Bhram (Deluxe)PaisaPrabh DeepPrabh Deep
SukoonPrabh Deep ft. GD 47 & Encore ABJ
ShauratPrabh DeepPrabh Deep & Lambo Drive
RishtePrabh Deep
NafratPrabh Deep ft. SYPSPrabh Deep & EMi EMi
IzzatPrabh DeepPrabh Deep
SamaajPrabh Deep ft. Ikka
ShaitaanPrabh Deep ft. Calm
KhayalPrabh Deep
InayatPrabh Deep ft. Ahmer
SagarPrabh Deep ft. Scuti
TajurbaPrabh Deep ft. Raftaar Prabh Deep, Baajewala & Lambo Drive
WapasPrabh DeepPrabh Deep
2024KING ReturnsYaadanPrabh DeepPrabh Deep
BabajiPrabh Deep
GirgitPrabh Deep
DaangPrabh Deep
Ethe RakhPrabh Deep
BachpanPrabh Deep
DSPDaang V1Prabh DeepPrabh Deep
UstaadiPrabh Deep ft. Faris Shafi Scuti
Zum!!!Prabh Deep ft. Big Calo, SYPSLLoke
8-FIGGAAH!Prabh Deep ft. GD47SYPS
O.T.MPrabh Deep ft. Alistair Alvin, KAEM, DhanjiPrabh Deep, Scuti
RaphaPrabh Deep ft. ScutiScuti, SYPS
WajoodPrabh Deep ft. ScutiScuti
Hood-RobinPrabh Deep ft. ScutiScuti
Veer-GPrabh Deep ft. Sickflip Sickflip

Singles and collaborations

YearTrackArtist(s)Produced byNote(s)
2015Chi ChiPrabh Deep ft. MC Heam
Capital Punishment - New Delhi CypherRaga, Marco, KeepSake, KrazyClip, Slyck, Yungsta & Prabh DeepSez on the Beat
Feel MePrabh Deep
Time and AgeSlyck TwoshadezPrabh Deep
2016Forever GratefulSlyck Twoshadez ft. Prabh DeepFrom the mixtape "PharmaSlyck" by Slyck Twoshadez
LocoPrabh Deep & CalmFrom the "New Delhi Mixtape - Khatarnaak"
Hip Hop Is A SchoolPrabh Deep & Sun-j (Agnastik)
IlakaMC Heam & Prabh Deep
2017Classsikh MautSeedhe Maut, Prabh Deep & Sez on the BeatSez on the BeatFrom the EP "2 Ka Pahada" by Seedhe Maut
Suede Gully DIVINE, Prabh Deep, Khasi Bloodz & Madurai SouljourPromotional song for Puma
2018Class-Sikh Maut, Vol. IIPrabh Deep, Seedhe Maut & Sez on the BeatSez on the Beat
Vekhi JaPrabh Deep & Sez on the Beat
SaucePrabh Deep, Sez on the Beat & Lit Happu
2019K.O.Prabh Deep & Sez on the Beat
CycloneTienas & Prabh DeepHarmanFrom the album "O" by Tienas
ElaanAhmer, Sez on the Beat & Prabh DeepSez on the BeatFrom the album "Little Kid, Big Dreams" by Ahmer & Sez on the Beat
Coolie Sarathy Korwar ft. Delhi Sultanate & Prabh DeepFrom the album "More Arriving" by Sarathy Korwar
Only My NameSmokey The Ghost ft. Prabh DeepSez on the Beat
TofaPrabh DeepPrabh Deep
FlyPrabh DeepFeatured in the compilation "Vibe Presents: Urban Asia, Vol. 3" [21]
2020PandemicPrabh Deep
ChittaPrabh Deep
Chitta (Remix)Prabh Deep ft. Yung Raja
2021AteetPrabh Deep
2022DoshPrabh Deep
2023TaqdeerPrabh Deep, Rashmeet Kaur, Donn Bhat & Sakur Khan SufiDonn Bhat & Ankur TewariFrom "Coke Studio Bharat"
THAPPAD!Prabh DeepFantom
2024NALLA NERAMYung Raja, Prabh DeepRIIDEM, Flo Moser

References

  1. ↑ Prabh Deep: Biography, Height, Age, Career, and More , retrieved 4 February 2025
  2. ↑ Karkare, Aakash (27 December 2017). "2017: The year when Indian hip-hop cemented its place on the music charts".
  3. 1 2 Kappal, Bhanuj (1 December 2017). "What makes Prabh Deep Indian rap's next big thing". GQ India. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Majumdar, Anushree (12 December 2017). "Good Kid in a Mad City: Meet Prabh Deep, a Delhi rapper who has taken the Indian hip-hop scene by storm". Indian Express. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 3 Varma, Aditya (22 January 2018). "Prabh Deep and his musical tryst with West Delhi's ghettos". The Hindu. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  6. ↑ Ghosh, Devarsi (28 September 2018). "Amit Trivedi's 'Manmarziyaan' soundtrack has something for everyone". The Scroll. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  7. 1 2 "On the Cover: Prabh Deep, India's Most Fearless Rapper". Rolling Stone India. 7 January 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  8. ↑ Arora, Simran (29 May 2020). "Prabh Deep Decodes His Creative Process, His New EP & Working On Paatal Lok's 'Toofan Main'". MensXP. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  9. ↑ "Prabh Deep: Tabia". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Prabh Deep's quantum leap forward". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  11. ↑ Britto, David (8 March 2023). "Prabh Deep Releases Deluxe Version of 'Bhram'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  12. ↑ Ray, Sanjana (20 December 2023). "Mo Joshi on Azadi Records raising international funding, Prabh Deep's exit and the hunt for India's first global music sensation". GQ India. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  13. ↑ "Musicians should collaborate more: Rashmeet Kaur on new Coke Studio Bharat song 'Taqdeer'". The Indian Express . 2 April 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  14. ↑ Trivedi, Aaryaman (15 January 2023). "Prabh Deep on 'KING Returns' EP and Collaboration with John Jacobs". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  15. ↑ Tagat, Anurag (24 September 2024). "Prabh Deep Discusses Why He Turned Actor for 'Khalbali Records'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
  16. ↑ Kappal, Bhanuj (30 November 2017). "New Delhi rapper Prabh Deep is becoming known for his socially conscious rhymes". The National News. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  17. ↑ Singh Grewal, Amolak (10 January 2021). "Prabh Deep, the Punjabi rapper Punjab doesn't know". The National News. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  18. ↑ "Prabh Deep: 'Chitta' is based on a character made up in my mind". www.radioandmusic.com. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  19. ↑ Paul, Sharmindrila (11 September 2020). "'Chitta': Prabh Deep's animated music video holds a mirror to drug abuse and power structures of the society". AnimationXpress. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  20. ↑ News9 Staff (30 December 2021). "Prabh Deep, Mali, Shantanu Pandit: The musicians who delivered 2021's best albums". NEWS9LIVE. Retrieved 4 August 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ↑ "Hong Kong label b2 Music releases VIBE Presents: Urban Asia Vol 3". Mixmag Asia. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
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