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Naezy
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Key Information
Naved Shaikh (born 1993), professionally known as Naezy, is an Indian rapper, songwriter from Mumbai, Maharashtra, who first broke into mainstream rap with the song "Mere Gully Mein" (from the movie Gully Boy), featuring fellow rapper DIVINE. A fictional version of his character has been portrayed by Ranveer Singh in the Zoya Akhtar-directed 2019 musical film Gully Boy. He made his film debut with the hit song "Birju" from the 2015 film Hey Bro, the music video for which featured celebrated Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Ajay Devgn, as well as choreographer Prabhu Deva, with the film's lead actor Ganesh Acharya.
In 2024, Naezy was a contestant on the reality TV show Big Boss OTT Season 3, finishing as the runner-up.[1]
Early life
[edit]Naved Shaikh was born in 1993 in Kurla, Mumbai, India.[2] His father is Shahid Raza and mother Farhin Raza. His family originates from Amravati, where he still has relatives. He was raised by his mom as his father works in Dubai. He grew up in a tenement for the impoverished working class called Ram Bachan Chawl, located in the neighbourhood of Kurla, Mumbai.[3]
He was raised as a troubled child mostly by his mother as his father was employed overseas. After a run-in with the law as a juvenile he directed his energies in creative expression of his and others' life struggles.[4]
He completed his T.Y. B.Sc from Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Matunga, where he met his rapper friend Neykhil Naik aka NCube and formed a collective called The Schizophrenics.[2][5][6]
Career
[edit]Naezy debuted with a DIY music video "Aafat!" which he made using an iPad in 2014.[7] Naezy's debut single, "Aafat!', credited as the genesis track of the gully rap scene, was released in 2014, followed by his collaboration with DIVINE on their breakout 2015 hit, "Mere Gully Mein".[8] The song brought attention to the Mumbai rap scene and eventually lead to the breakthrough for both DIVINE and Naezy.
Following the song's release, a documentary titled Bombay 70 (the 70 stands for the area code of Kurla West) about his life was produced.[9] Bombay 70 was directed by independent filmmaker Disha Rindani. The documentary was awarded as the best short film at MAMI in 2014.[10]
Their music caught the attention of director Zoya Akhtar and inspired her to make a film about the Mumbai rap scene called Gully Boy starring Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt.[11] The film is loosely based on the lives of DIVINE and Naezy who were consulted for the rap aspects of the film. "Mere Gully Mein" was remade for the film.[12] In this version, Singh's character takes over Naezy's part. Singh re-recorded Naezy's verse for the film. He became the first rapper to be a featured artist on the Indian music streaming platform JioSaavn. He was also featured on the Song "NY se Mumbai" with DIVINE, Singh and American rapper Nas, who also served as an executive producer. The song was released as a promotional single shortly prior to the release of the film.
Naezy's music often addresses socio-political issues and he has spoken about wanting to create music that is "conscious hip-hop" to bring awareness among young people.[13] His songs "Haq Hai", "Tragedy Mein Comedy", "Azaad Hu Mein" are some of the songs that deal with politics and issues that the common man faces.[14]
He has faced issues convincing his family about his rap career, which was one reason he left the underground rap scene in 2018. Another reason he took this hiatus was to get away from the pressures of becoming more famous. The hiatus, however, made him realise his passion for rap music.[14][13] He returned to the scene in 2019 with his new single "Aafat Wapas" which is a sequel of his first track "Aafat". The video was shot by Happy Mandal who he had worked with before and was shot using an iPhone XS Max. The following year, he released his debut album, comprising six songs, titled "Maghreb".[15]
In 2024, Naezy appeared in an interview, where he was asked about his possible upcoming collaborations with other desi hip-hop artists. Upon being asked whether Talha Anjum was one of the artists he was going to collaborate with, he denied knowing the rapper. This sparked a well-publicized beef between the two artists, with the latter releasing a diss track against Naezy, titled, "Kaun Talha", on June 9, 2024, a reference to Naezy's response to the question he was asked in the interview.[16] This prompted Naezy to respond on his track "Kya Bey Shaane", the next day,[17] as well as "Napaak", which was released six days later.[18]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums and EPs
[edit]| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Maghreb |
|
| 2014 |
|
| Tarqeeb |
|
| 22 |
|
| Apocalypse |
|
| Anti Fitna |
|
| Fateh |
|
Singles
[edit]| Year | Track | Produced by |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Aafat! | |
| Raaste Kathin | Naezy | |
| Sabse Hatkar | Mode7 | |
| Aur Aafat (Ncube ft. Naezy) | ||
| Bhalta The Psypher 1.0 (with Ncube) | ||
| Kyu (Ncube ft. Naezy & Bob Churi) | ||
| The Psypher 1.5 (with Ncube & Saheb) | ||
| 2015 | Sabke Liye Broadband (with Ncube) | |
| Mere Gully Mein (DIVINE ft. Naezy) | Sez on the Beat | |
| 2016 | Haq Hai | |
| Tragedy Mein Comedy | ||
| Asal Hustle | ||
| Tehelka | ||
| 2017 | Azaad Hu Mai | Naezy |
| Aane De | Karan Kanchan | |
| Yaad Rakh (with Benny Dayal) | Dub Sharma | |
| 2019 | Voice of the Streets, Ep. 1 (Gully Boy Promo) | Siddhant Shirodkar |
| NY se Mumbai (with Nas, DIVINE & Ranveer Singh) | XD Pro, iLL Wayno | |
| Bombay 70 (Recorded in 2014) | Natiq | |
| Aafat Waapas | Phenom | |
| Mama Mia (with Sez on the Beat) | Sez on the Beat | |
| Dhoond Le | Karan Kanchan | |
| Ab Teri Baari (with Ayushmann Khurrana) | Clinton Cerejo | |
| Rukta Nah | Karan Kanchan | |
| Vahem | Byg Byrd | |
| Fatke | Major C | |
| Let's Crack It! - Unacademy Student Anthem | Dub Sharma | |
| 2021 | Sholay (with MC Mawali & Karan Kanchan) | Karan Kanchan |
| Kasa Kai (with Rākhis) | Rākhis | |
| 2022 | Haalaat | Bharg |
| Trip Bhaari - 1 Min Music | Major C | |
| Kya Bataye | Naezy | |
| 2023 | Mallika | Asal Minaaj |
| Sup! | Vernon Tauro | |
| 2024 | No Ghaflat | |
| Fearless | Purpledragon | |
| Islah | Vernon Tauro | |
| Kya Bey Shaane? | RaySon4 7 | |
| Naapaak | Vernon Tauro | |
| Akshar | ||
| Roshni | ||
| 2025 | Taafu (From the EP Fateh) | |
| Farishtey (From the EP Fateh) | Tha Armani | |
| Bhamai (From the EP Fateh) | ||
| Ceasefire | Naezy | |
| Main Aafat | Sez on the Beat | |
| Rawas | Naezy | |
| Quwat |
Film music
[edit]| Year | Film | Song | Music | Co-singer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hey Bro | Birju | Nitz 'N' Sony | Mika Singh, Udit Narayan, Arya | |
| 2017 | Bank Chor | BC Rap Knockout: Mumbai vs Delhi | Shameer Tandon | Pardhaan | |
| 2018 | Bhavesh Joshi Superhero | Hum Hain Insaaf | Amit Trivedi | Babu Haabi | As a lyricist |
| 2019 | Gully Boy | Mere Gully Mein | Sez on the Beat | Ranveer Singh, DIVINE, Sez on the Beat |
References
[edit]- ^ "Bigg Boss OTT 3 finale highlights: Sana Makbul beats Naezy, wins show and ₹25 lakh prize money". Hindustan Times. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Watch: Award-winning short on how juvenile thief Naved became rapper Naezy". 2 February 2016.
- ^ Kanabar, Nirali (15 February 2019). "#GullyBoy: Meet Naved Shaikh aka Naezy: The guy from slums of Kurla who took over Mumbai with his 'aafat'". Bollywood Life. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ Kappal, Bhanuj (9 February 2019). "The voice of the Gully". mint. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "Real story of Gully Boy: Here's the true life story of Naezy, the rapper who inspired Ranveer Singh's Gully Boy". GQ India. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ "The Rise of Indian Hip-Hop -". My Site. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2021.
- ^ Aafat! - Naezy (Introductory Verses), 7 January 2014, retrieved 9 February 2019
- ^ Mere Gully Mein - DIVINE feat. Naezy | Official Music Video With Subtitles, 16 April 2015, retrieved 9 February 2019
- ^ Triangular Motion Pictures (14 August 2015). Bombay 70 - MAMI '14 Best Short Film. Retrieved 3 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Bombay 70 - MAMI '14 Best Short Film, 14 August 2015, retrieved 20 February 2019
- ^ Zoya Akhtar Interview with Anupama Chopra | Gully Boy | Film Companion, 6 February 2019, retrieved 9 February 2019
- ^ Mere Gully Mein | Gully Boy | Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt & Siddhant | DIVINE | Naezy | Zoya Akhtar, 21 January 2019, retrieved 9 February 2019
- ^ a b Naved Shaikh aka Naezy Exclusive Interview with Cine Blitz. YouTube. Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
- ^ a b "EXCLUSIVE: The Return of the Prodigal Son of Indian Hip-Hop, Naezy". 23 January 2019.
- ^ "Naezy discusses being a judge on MTV Hustle, making up for his year-long break, and upcoming projects". Firstpost. 1 October 2019. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ^ Sultan, Asfa (12 June 2024). "Indian rapper asks 'Talha kaun?' — Talha Anjum responds with a brutal diss track". Images Dawn. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ Tagat, Anurag (12 December 2024). "Indian Hip-Hop Releases That Have Defined 2024". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ^ Tagat, Anurag (14 January 2025). "Naezy Brings Quickfire Rap on 'Taafu' From Upcoming EP 'Fateh'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
External links
[edit]
Naezy
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Naved Shaikh (born 10 August 1993), better known by his stage name Naezy, is an Indian rapper and songwriter from Mumbai's Kurla area, who emerged as a foundational figure in desi hip-hop by crafting lyrics drawn from personal experiences of slum life, poverty, and urban grit.[1][2]
His breakthrough came with early tracks like "Aao Kabhi Haveli Pe" in 2014, followed by the influential 2015 collaboration "Mere Gully Mein" with fellow rapper Divine, which highlighted authentic street narratives and propelled gully rap into wider recognition.[3][4]
The duo's story partially inspired the 2019 film Gully Boy, directed by Zoya Akhtar, in which Ranveer Singh portrayed a character modeled after Naezy's rise from obscurity to rap prominence, though the movie's release coincided with Naezy's personal adversities, including a nearly year-long imprisonment on allegations he described as fabricated.[5][6]
Naezy has since persisted in the industry, issuing projects like the 2020 album Maghreb, which addresses social issues, and the 2024 EP Anti Fitna, while maintaining a focus on unpolished, experience-based rap amid ongoing challenges in India's evolving hip-hop landscape.[7][8]
Early Life
Upbringing and Family Background
Naved Shaikh, professionally known as Naezy, was born on 10 August 1993 in Kurla, Mumbai, into a lower-middle-class Muslim family.[9] He grew up in the crowded chawls of Kurla West, specifically Ram Bachan Chawl, where his family had resided for generations.[9] [10] His father, Shahid Raza, worked abroad in Dubai, leaving his mother, Farhin Raza, to primarily raise him in the modest chawl environment amid Mumbai's urban challenges.[10] The family maintained an orthodox Muslim household with an academic orientation, emphasizing education over creative pursuits like music.[11] Despite this, Naezy's upbringing exposed him to the socio-economic realities of chawl life, including limited resources and street influences, which later shaped his artistic expression.[11] His parents initially opposed his interest in rapping, viewing it as a deviation from conventional paths and restricting activities like theatre or television exposure at home.[12]Early Criminal Activities and Influences
Naved Shaikh, known as Naezy, grew up in the Kurla neighborhood of Mumbai, an area characterized by poverty, gang activity, and drug-related violence, which exposed him to criminal influences from a young age.[2] As a teenager, he became involved in petty crimes, including associating with peers engaged in theft and other minor offenses, amid a local environment where friends faced severe consequences such as imprisonment for murder linked to drug dealing by age 17.[13] This period was shaped by the "khatarnaak" (dangerous) dynamics of his surroundings, including khatri gangs and the allure of gangster lifestyles depicted in films, which contributed to his rebellious behavior and initial forays into wrongdoing.[13][14] By age 13, Naezy encountered law enforcement during an incident where he was caught smoking in school uniform at a railway station; he resisted by kneeing the officer and escaped by jumping onto a passing train, highlighting his early defiance and familiarity with evading authorities.[15] His criminal involvement escalated, leading to two arrests for petty crimes at ages 14 and 18, including time spent in jail by age 14, often tied to hanging out with the "wrong crowd" and small-scale thefts like stealing balls or other items.[2][16][17] These experiences were influenced by the socioeconomic pressures of slum life in areas like Ram Bachan Chawl, where limited opportunities and familial absence—his father working in Dubai—fostered a turn toward street activities over formal education or stable paths.[15] Despite these influences, Naezy's family, from an orthodox Muslim background, expressed relief at his eventual withdrawal from petty crime, though they remained unsupportive of his pivot to music, viewing it as impermissible.[13] The cumulative impact of arrests, peer pressures, and environmental hazards prompted a redirection of his energy away from crime toward creative outlets, recognizing the risks of becoming a "two-prick criminal" in a cycle of low-level offenses.[15][14] This shift marked a break from the causal chain of slum-based delinquency, influenced by personal realization amid ongoing local corruption and violence.[2]Musical Career
Entry into Desi Hip-Hop
Naezy, born Naved Shaikh, entered the desi hip-hop scene in Mumbai's underground circuit around 2013, initially aligning with the hip-hop collective The Schizophrenics, which provided an early platform for experimenting with rap in Hindi, Marathi, and local slang.[18] This group emphasized raw, street-inspired lyricism drawn from urban struggles, marking a shift toward authentic "gully rap" that contrasted with prior Indian hip-hop's more commercial or Punjabi-influenced styles.[18] His formal breakthrough came with the independent release of "Aafat! (Introductory Verses)" on January 7, 2014, a DIY track produced via basic home recording that captured the chaos of Mumbai's chawls and gullies, rapping about poverty, hustle, and resilience without polished production.[3] [19] The song's unfiltered portrayal of Kurla suburb life—where Shaikh grew up—resonated in local cyphers and online forums, establishing him as a pioneer in gully rap's raw aesthetic and helping legitimize vernacular storytelling over Western mimicry.[20] [21] By mid-2014, Naezy's freestyle sessions at Mumbai events and social media uploads built a grassroots following, positioning desi hip-hop as a voice for marginalized youth amid India's evolving urban music landscape.[3] This entry phase laid groundwork for broader recognition, though mainstream traction remained limited until subsequent collaborations.[22]Breakthrough and Collaborations
Naezy's breakthrough in the desi hip-hop scene occurred with the release of his debut single "Aafat (Introductory Verses)" on January 7, 2014, a raw track reflecting Mumbai's street struggles that is credited with pioneering the gully rap subgenre.[23][18] Recorded using basic equipment like an iPad, it garnered attention in underground circles for its authentic portrayal of urban life, establishing Naezy as an early influencer in India's nascent hip-hop movement.[24] In 2015, Naezy expanded his visibility through his Bollywood debut on the track "Birju" from the film Hey Bro, released on February 6, featuring vocals alongside Udit Narayan and Mika Singh, with the music video including cameo appearances by Amitabh Bachchan and other stars.[25][26] This collaboration marked his transition from independent rap to commercial soundtracks, broadening his audience beyond hip-hop enthusiasts.[27] A defining moment came with his collaboration with rapper Divine on "Mere Gully Mein," released on April 16, 2015, and produced by Sez on the Beat, which fused gritty lyrics about gully life with infectious beats to achieve mainstream breakthrough for desi hip-hop.[28][29][30] The track's viral success highlighted Naezy's role in elevating street rap's cultural impact, later inspiring elements of the 2019 film Gully Boy.[9] Naezy's partnership with producer Sez on the Beat intensified in 2016, yielding tracks like "Asal Hustle" (released September 1) and "Tehelka," where he experimented with technical flows and thematic depth, solidifying his reputation for versatile collaborations within the evolving Indian hip-hop landscape.[31][3] These works demonstrated a shift toward more polished production while retaining gully authenticity, contributing to Naezy's growing influence amid the scene's expansion.[32]Post-Breakthrough Projects and Setbacks
Following the commercial success of Gully Boy in 2019, Naezy released his debut extended play (EP), Maghreb, on January 8, 2020, consisting of six tracks that addressed personal struggles, community issues, and broader societal concerns such as protests and systemic problems in India.[33][34] The EP featured production from multiple collaborators and was conceptualized in the preceding four months, reflecting Naezy's intent to revive album-oriented releases in Indian hip-hop amid a singles-dominated market.[35] Subsequent projects included the single "Sholay" in 2021, followed by a series of EPs and singles in 2022 such as Tarqeeb (EP), "Haalaat," "Trip Bhaari," and "Kya Bataye."[36] In 2023 and 2024, Naezy issued the EP Apocalypse, the single "Mallika," and the EP Anti Fitna, maintaining a focus on introspective and street-oriented lyrics.[37] By 2025, he released the EP HATELI, singles including "WICKET," "EDI KHOPDI," "QUWAT," "Rawas," and "Ek Tum Ho" from the project Jaan, alongside contributions like "Bhamai" for the film Fateh.[38] These outputs demonstrated sustained productivity, with streaming platforms listing over a dozen post-2020 releases emphasizing raw, narrative-driven hip-hop.[39] Despite these efforts, Naezy encountered setbacks, primarily stemming from the Gully Boy portrayal, which he described as casting him in a negative light and associating him indelibly with criminality, leading to mental health strain and public misperceptions.[40] In interviews, he stated the film "did me more harm than good," boosting hip-hop visibility but harming his personal image and opportunities by overshadowing his music with a dramatized narrative.[41] Additionally, reported rifts with peers like Divine—attributed to changing social circles—and a 2024-2025 diss exchange with Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum over unrecognized school ties further complicated his industry standing, though these did not halt releases.[42] Naezy has attributed some career friction to external attempts to sow discord, amid broader critiques of his perceived arrogance in fan discussions, potentially impeding collaborations.[43]Recent Television and Performance Appearances
In 2024, Naezy competed as a contestant on Bigg Boss OTT Season 3, entering the house in June and advancing to the grand finale, where he placed as first runner-up on August 2.[44] During his stint, he showcased his rapping skills in a dedicated diss rap episode, performing verses addressing issues of fellow housemates.[45] Naezy served as a special guest on MTV Hustle 4 in an episode aired on December 9, 2024, where he reflected on his initial foray into rapping by memorizing songs and commended the contestants' energetic deliveries.[46][47] Naezy performed at the VH1 Supersonic music festival on February 17, 2024, in Pune, delivering a set that infused the event with desi hip-hop essence following an opening act by Mary Ann.[48] He included tracks like "Aafat Waapas" in his live repertoire at the event.[49] To promote his EP Anti Fitna, Naezy hosted launch performances, including one at antiSOCIAL in Mumbai on April 21, 2024, and another in Pune.[50] He also took the stage at Mithibai College's Kshitij Cultural Fest in 2024, engaging college audiences with live sets.[51]Legal Issues
Arrest and Imprisonment Details
Naved Shaikh, professionally known as Naezy, was imprisoned for approximately one year beginning around 2018, a period that overlapped with the filming of the Bollywood film Gully Boy, which was partially inspired by his life and career in Mumbai's street rap scene.[6] According to Naezy's own account in a 2024 interview, the arrest stemmed from fabricated allegations orchestrated by jealous individuals within influential systems who sought personal gain or to harass him, leading to his detention without initial notification to his family or associates.[52][53] During his incarceration, Naezy stated that his whereabouts were unknown even to his parents, sparking rumors among peers that he had been held in high-security facilities such as Tihar Jail in Delhi, though he provided no independent verification of the exact location or charges.[54] He described the experience as isolating and damaging, claiming it disrupted his rising career momentum and personal opportunities tied to the film's production, with no external support reaching him.[6] Public records of the specific legal charges—potentially involving disputes over personal or professional matters—remain undisclosed in available reports, with Naezy maintaining the case was baseless and motivated by envy rather than substantive evidence.[52] Prior to this incident, Naezy had faced earlier detentions as a juvenile; he was arrested around age 14 and again at age 18 for unspecified petty crimes amid his upbringing in Mumbai's Kurla neighborhood, experiences that later influenced themes in his music about street life and survival.[2] These juvenile encounters did not result in extended imprisonment but contributed to his narrative of systemic challenges in underprivileged communities.[16]Causes and Consequences
Naezy, whose real name is Naved Shaikh, attributes the causes of his 2017 arrest primarily to fabricated allegations orchestrated by jealous individuals within influential systems seeking personal favors or extortion. According to his account, these actors exploited their positions to implicate him in criminal activities, leading to his detention without immediate family knowledge or public awareness. While specific charges remain tied to reports of involvement in disputes escalating to petty crimes—consistent with his admitted early brushes with the law in Kurla slums—no independent court records detail the exact offenses beyond his description of systemic targeting.[52][16] The imprisonment lasted approximately one year, severely disrupting Shaikh's burgeoning career in desi hip-hop following his 2015 breakthrough with "Mere Gully Mein." During this period, coinciding with the filming of Gully Boy (2018)—a film loosely inspired by his life alongside rapper Divine—his absence fueled rumors of death, flight to Dubai, or voluntary disappearance, eroding momentum and professional networks. Post-release, Shaikh has claimed the ordeal "spoiled" his life, exacerbating personal isolation, anger issues, and relational hesitancy, while the film's success without his direct involvement allegedly damaged his public image by portraying a narrative he views as exploitative, hindering subsequent music releases and collaborations until sporadic comebacks like his 2019 single "Aafat Waapas."[55][56][57]Association with Gully Boy
Role as Inspiration
The film Gully Boy (2019), directed by Zoya Akhtar and starring Ranveer Singh as aspiring rapper Murad Ahmed, incorporates elements from Naezy's real-life experiences in Mumbai's gully rap scene as one of its primary inspirations, alongside those of fellow rapper Divine. Naezy's origins in the Kurla neighborhood, his early freestyle rapping in local lanes amid socioeconomic hardships, and his breakthrough with tracks like "Aafira" (2014) mirrored the protagonist's narrative of pursuing hip-hop dreams from slum environments while navigating family pressures and street life.[58][59] This portrayal highlighted themes of authenticity in desi hip-hop, drawing from Naezy's role in popularizing raw, vernacular storytelling about urban underclass struggles, which helped elevate Indian street rap's visibility post the film's release.[60] Despite the film's credited inspirations, Naezy has publicly contested its direct basis in his biography, describing it as largely fictional and including inaccuracies such as depictions of multiple romantic relationships and his father's remarriage, which did not occur in his family. In a January 2025 interview, he expressed annoyance over these alterations, arguing they distorted his personal history and contributed to public misconceptions about his life.[61][62] Naezy further noted in August 2024 that the movie's narrative choices, like portraying him as a driver with dual girlfriends, negatively impacted his image and relationships, even as it boosted hip-hop's mainstream appeal.[41] This perspective underscores a disconnect between the filmmakers' composite character approach—blending real gully rap origins with dramatic embellishments—and Naezy's self-account, prioritizing empirical fidelity over cinematic license.Film's Release and Personal Impact
Gully Boy premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 9, 2019, and received a theatrical release in India on February 14, 2019.[59] The film, directed by Zoya Akhtar, drew partial inspiration from Naezy's life alongside that of rapper Divine, portraying protagonist Murad Iqbal as an aspiring rapper from Mumbai's slums navigating personal and professional challenges.[61] Naezy has stated that the film's release brought initial fame and recognition, elevating awareness of Indian hip-hop, but ultimately caused more personal harm than benefit.[63] He claims it misrepresented his life through fictional elements, such as depicting him with two girlfriends and as a driver, leading people to view him in a negative light and straining family relationships.[41] In interviews, Naezy described the portrayal as "totally fictional" and "annoying," noting inaccuracies like his father remarrying twice, which he denies occurred.[61][64] The movie's success amplified these effects, with Naezy reporting mental health strain from public misconceptions and altered personal dynamics, though he acknowledges it boosted hip-hop's visibility despite the individual toll.[65] Early post-release comments in 2019 suggested positive life changes, but Naezy later emphasized the enduring negative perceptions over any gains.[66][40]Discography
Key Singles
Naezy's breakthrough single "Aafat" (also known as "Aafat!"), released on January 7, 2014, introduced his raw, street-infused style and is widely credited as an early catalyst for the gully rap movement in India, drawing from his experiences in Mumbai's Kurla neighborhood.[18] The 2015 collaboration "Mere Gully Mein" with Divine, released on April 16, amassed millions of views and propelled desi hip-hop into mainstream awareness by vividly depicting gully life, hardships, and aspirations, predating its adaptation in the 2019 film Gully Boy.[67][68][3] "Asal Hustle", dropped in 2015, further solidified his solo presence with introspective lyrics on ambition and struggle, contributing to the growing underground rap scene.[3] In 2016, "Tragedy Main Comedy" blended humor and social commentary, reflecting Naezy's evolving narrative approach amid rising fame.[3] "Aane De", a solo single released on October 29, 2017, emphasized resilience and defiance, marking a return to form after collaborations and garnering attention for its motivational tone.[69] Later, "Aafat Waapas" in March 2019 revisited his origins with updated production, responding to personal and industry challenges while reaffirming his foundational role in the genre.[24]Album and EP Releases
Naezy's discography features extended plays (EPs) rather than full-length albums, reflecting his independent approach to releasing focused collections of tracks centered on desi hip-hop themes. His debut EP, Maghreb, comprising six songs such as "Khamakha" and "Baa," was independently released on January 8, 2020, marking the sixth anniversary of his breakthrough single "Aafat."[70][71] In 2024, Naezy issued Anti Fitna, a four-track EP released on April 22, emphasizing resilience and street narratives through songs like "Nahi Aasaan" and the title track.[72][73] The year 2025 saw two additional EPs: HATELI, a four-song project dropped in July with aggressive tracks including "Wicket" (July 14), "Edi Khopdi" (July 8), and "Danger" (July 18), and Jaan, released in August featuring romantic and introspective cuts like "Ek Tum Ho" and "Barik Suee."[74][75] Earlier efforts include the 2022 EP Tarqeeb and 2023's Apocalypse, both self-released digitally, though specific track counts and dates remain less documented beyond platform listings.[37] All releases are available via streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify, with no major label involvement noted.Film Soundtrack Contributions
Naezy's contributions to film soundtracks primarily consist of rap verses in Bollywood songs, marking his entry into mainstream cinema through hip-hop elements integrated into commercial tracks. His debut came in 2015 with the rap portion of "Birju" from the film Hey Bro, a comedic track composed by Nitz 'N' Sony and featuring lead vocals by Udit Narayan, Mika Singh, and Arya.[25] The song blends traditional Hindi film melody with rap, reflecting early fusion attempts in Indian cinema.[76] In 2017, Naezy collaborated on "BC Rap Knockout: Mumbai vs Delhi" for the heist comedy Bank Chor, delivering verses in a city-rivalry themed rap battle alongside Pardhaan, with music by Shameer Tandon.[77] The extended version emphasizes competitive banter, aligning with the film's lighthearted tone.[78] Naezy featured in 2018's "Hum Hain Insaaf" from the vigilante action film Bhavesh Joshi Superhero, providing rap lyrics and delivery alongside Babu Haabi, under composer Amit Trivedi.[79] The track underscores themes of justice, complementing the film's narrative of grassroots heroism.[80] His involvement peaked with the 2019 musical drama Gully Boy, inspired partly by his life, where he contributed to the soundtrack via the pre-existing hit "Mere Gully Mein" (originally with DIVINE in 2015, reincorporated here) and the new track "NY Se Mumbai" featuring DIVINE and actor Ranveer Singh. These inclusions elevated desi hip-hop's visibility in films, with "Mere Gully Mein" serving as an anthem for street rap culture.[81]| Year | Film | Song | Key Collaborators |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Hey Bro | Birju | Udit Narayan, Mika Singh, Arya |
| 2017 | Bank Chor | BC Rap Knockout: Mumbai vs Delhi | Pardhaan |
| 2018 | Bhavesh Joshi Superhero | Hum Hain Insaaf | Babu Haabi |
| 2019 | Gully Boy | Mere Gully Mein | DIVINE |
| 2019 | Gully Boy | NY Se Mumbai | DIVINE, Ranveer Singh |