An ode to Ladakhi hip-hop

Music remains my bridge to home irrespective of my physical location. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. During my college days, I observed how Ladakhi students carried their cultural identity with them and one of the strongest expressions of their roots was music. No matter how far they went from their home-land, Ladakh was always with them through the songs they played and sang. My playlist included western classics and Ladakhi tunes. I would listen to Bryan Adams as often as Ka Dorje Stakmo. It is fascinating how a Ladakhi song like Chutey Chuzur can get everyone—Ladakhis and non-Ladakhis alike— tapping their feet and dancing. Its rhythm is universal and transcends language and geography.
Over the years Ladakhi music has evolved in many different ways. From the soulful tunes of folk music to the modern beats of contemporary artistes, it has grown while still staying deeply rooted. Today, youth are carrying it forward with remarkable passion and talent. Ladakhi rap and hip-hop in particular has gained momentum with artists like LaDoll, Cdup, Mar C, Lil Thun, Nochen, Slumdowg, Buda Gyatso, 2CEE, Togo.6 and Deldan making a mark. Their lyrics are powerful and reflect the realities, struggles, and aspirations of Ladakhi youth. The quality of their music is at par with mainstream Indian artists.
Artistes like Ladoll have used hip-hop to raise awareness about various social and environmental issues. Similarly, Mar C, Nochen, Cdup and Lil Thun have addressed challenges faced by Ladakhi youth using their music to highlight various challenges and aspirations including unemployment and climate change. As Ladakh continues to change, hip-hop has become a way for young people to connect with their roots while embracing globalisation. In my opinion, Ladakhi music is special in the ability of these artistes to retain the soul of our culture while adopting new expressions.
The trajectory of Ladakhi hip-hop and rap music mirrors global patterns. Just as Hindi film music has embraced collaborations, we have established singers in Ladakh featuring various rappers in their songs and blending traditional melodies with hip-hop. For instance, emerging Ladakhi rapper Lil Thun has been featured in tracks by artistes such as Faisal, KKT Tundup, and Iliyaaz. This fusion enhances the appeal of Ladakhi music among younger audiences and broadens its reach beyond traditional listeners. This fuses rap elements—fast-paced lyrical storytelling, social commentary, and contemporary beats—with other music genres. This integration of hip-hop and rap into Ladakhi music follows trends in global music industry, where hip-hop and rap have become a key part of mainstream and popular music. This shift highlights the growing influence of hip-hop in Ladakh, which is reshaping its musical landscape in exciting new ways. An example of this is Buda Gyatso’s recent performance at a public event in Leh, which highlights the genre’s rising popularity and its growing acceptance in mainstream Ladakhi society.
Ladakh’s rap scene is still in its early stages but with passionate artistes leading the way, it has the potential to grow into a significant cultural movement. As more young Ladakhis engage with hip-hop, this genre will continue to evolve, blending the old with the new in unique and powerful ways. Hip-hop and rap are here to stay!

By Dr Spalchen Gonbo

Dr. Spalchen Gonbo is a Paediatrician based in Ladakh.

Editor’s note: This was first published as the editorial in the February issue of Stawa (Volume 12, issue 02)