Yashraj Mehra, better known as Yashraj is an Indian rapper, writer, and composer. He is primarily known for his songs like "Ishq Nachaawe" from the film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, "Murder Mubarak- Title Track" from the film Murder Mubarak, and his single tracks like "Hausla", "Dhundhala", "Gabbar, "DLL" and "Daae / Baae". He has featured in Vogue, Forbes India and Grazia Magazine.
Career
2019-2022: Career beginnings and "Dhundhala" Yashraj made his debut in the Indian hip-hop scene in April 2020 with the release of his debut EP titled Azaad Hu Mein. The EP, whose theme revolved around "resolving the inner conflict first, in order to fight the world in any given situation" paved the way for him to get established as an up and coming rapper, as he released various singles like "Do Khidkiyaan", "Khel", "Galat / Sahi", "DLL", "Part of Me", among others. He broke into the mainstream hip-hop scene with his track "Hausla", featuring Burrah and produced by Dropped Out. Accompanying his solo single releases, most of which were produced by fellow collaborator Dropped Out, he also became known for his commercially successful collaborations on various songs spanning different genres like "Raakh" with Karan Kanchan, "Kanipatu" with Rishi Rich, "Kho Gaya" with Zaeden, and "Dhundhala" with Talwiinder. "Dhundhala" became a global mainstream hit, amassing over 100 million streams on Spotify. In 2022, he released his second EP, Takiya Kalaam, featuring tracks produced by Dropped Out, Lambo Drive, Karonik and Akash Shravan.
2023-present: Collaborations and mainstream success In 2023, Yashraj followed with releasing the EP, Ladke Convict, which featured Chaar Diwaari and Hanumankind. He also collaborated with other artists throughout the year, including Bharg, Kshmr, Yungsta and Tsumyoki. He also continued to collaborate with artists across genres, including "Roshni" with Lisa Mishra and "Hiir" with Armaan Malik.
In February 2024, Yashraj performed at NSCI SVP stadium alongside fellow rapper Dino James as a supporting act for American rapper G-Eazy's performance. In June 2024, Yashraj collaborated with Chaar Diwaari for the song "Dumb Biryani" to promote Arhaan Khan, Dev Raiyani, and Arush Verma's YouTube project Dumb Biryani. In July 2024, he released his third EP, Meri Jaan Pehle Naach, featuring disco pop and Hindi film music influences. It was preceded by the release of three lead singles from the album, "Daae/Baae", "GABBAR", and "Kaayda/Faayda". In the same year, he sung the title track for the film Murder Mubarak and the song "Ishq Nachaawe" for the film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. He was featured in Rolling Stone India's first edition of the "Future of Music" list in 2024. In December 2024, he released the track "Sanatan", a dedication to his hometown. The track focused on the themes of “middle-class mindset” to “societal expectations” and "personal ambitions revolving around being a hip-hop artist who are now more than ever likely to get typecast".
In 2025, he released his fourth EP, 3P, which contained 3 songs, featuring production from NEVERSOBER and Talal Qureshi. In the same year, he was featured on the song "Wheel of Time", from the album, Sounds of Kumbha, by Grammy-nominated producer Siddhant Bhatia alongside Ajay Prasanna and Aditya Ghadvi. The album went on to be nominated at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in the category for Best Global Music Album. In the same year, he also collaborated with KRSNA on "Talk My Shit/Guarantee", Badshah on "DAF", and Calm on "TOP FLOOR SHiii". He also appeared as a guest judge on the show, India's Got Latent in the first and second season.
In 2026, he was included in Forbes India's 30 Under 30 list. He released the track "Mujhe Yeh Gaana Pasand Hai", to build anticipation for his forthcoming project. In the same year, he performed at the second edition of the 3-on-3 celebrity basketball game, BUDX NBA House, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, alongside fellow rappers Nav and Reble.
Artistry Yashraj cites Nas, André 3000, J. Cole, Drake, ASAP Rocky, Divine, Naezy and Tyga as major inspirations.
Discography
Albums and EPs +YearAlbum/EPTrackFeaturing artist(s)2020Azaad Hu MeinAzaad Hu MeinDropped Out, Anoushka SivasankarSote RahoStoleTheDropKaise BadlengeManin2022Takiya KalaamToh Kya Badla (Intro)Dropped OutNaadaaniMatlabi (Interlude)Musafir Akash ShravanMere LogLambo Drive, KaronikDoob RahaAkash ShravanAatma (Interlude)Aatma2024Meri Jaan Pehle NaachGABBARPUNAStudio-29lil helpDaae/BaaeDropped OutTheme Music!KimeraaKaayda/FaaydaAkash Shravan, bebhumikaCustom Fabric -F.G.H.M.laloo20253PPissed OffNEVERSOBERPSATalal QureshiParacetamol
Film soundtracks YearFilm TitleArtist(s)Lyrics Composer(s)Notes2024Murder Mubarak"Murder Mubarak (Title Track)"Sachin–Jigar, Prakriti Kakar, YashrajSachin–Jigar, YashrajSachin–JigarKho Gaye Hum Kahan"Ishq Nachaawe"Rashmeet Kaur, YashrajYashraj, Dhrruv YogiRashmeet Kaur, Karan Kanchan
Singles & collaborations Year Title Featuring artist(s)Notes2019Gully Beat CypherD-Cypher, Yashraj, Vrindam, Siyaahi, Zedano 2020 Do Khidkiyaan Feat. Dropped Out Kanipatu Feat. Rishi RichKhelFeat. Manin Hausla Feat. Dropped Out, Burrah Galat/Sahi Feat. Dropped Out2021VN1 (Seekh)12.Feat. Karm Solah Kho Gaya Zaeden feat. Yashraj, AAKASHFrom the album Genesis 1:1 by Zaeden DLL Feat. KatoptrisVN2 (Mauke)Feat. Karonik Ek Saath Feat. Dropped Out Part of Me Been Too Long VN3 (Udaan)Feat. Manin Complicated Feat. Dropped Out, Ramya Pothuri Raakh Feat. Karan Kanchan, Dropped OutBesabarFeat. Karonik2022DhundhalaFeat. Talwiinder, Dropped OutRuhLost Stories feat. Yashraj, Nikhita GandhiFarzi GalibFeat. ManinBura/BhalaFeat. Akash ShravanMITTIChaar Diwaari feat. YashrajFrom the EP Tere Maiyat Ke Gaane by Chaar Diwaari2023VN4 (Gati)Feat. RobuBevda Freestyle Feat. Zero ChillBombay CoastFeat. MLHVR, Adil, DeorachitSaveraYungsta feat. Sez on the Beat, YashrajFrom the album Meen by YungstaMasroorFeat. KatoptrisTHAT'S A FACT!Feat. HanumankindReleased as a part of his single Ladke ConvictIDENTITY THEFT.Feat. Chaar DiwaariBaith JaaoFeat. Akash ShravanEnemiesKSHMR feat. Hanumankind, YashrajFrom the album Karam by KSHMRstop calling meFeat. KayanBoldu SachBharg feat. YashrajFrom the album Nikamma by BhargBREAKSHIT!Tsumyoki feat. Calm, YashrajFrom the album A Message From The Moon (Deluxe) by Tsumyoki2024ToastRoshniLisa Mishra feat. Yashraj, CharanFrom the album Sorry, I'm Late by Lisa MishraDaae / BaaeFeat. Dropped OutFrom his album Meri Jaan Pehle NaachGabbarFeat. PUNAKaayda/FaaydaFeat. Akash Shravan, bebhumikaSUITS & STREETSKing feat. Yashraj, GravityFrom the album Monopoly Moves by KingTu Hai NayaaFeat. bebhumika, DeorachitDEHSHAT HORaftaar feat. YashrajFrom the mixtape Hard Drive Vol. 2 by RaftaarSANATANFeat. NEVERSOBER2025Talk My Shit/GuaranteeKRSNA feat. Yashraj, NEVERSOBERFrom the mixtape Yours Truly by KR$NAWheel of TimeSiddhant Bhatia feat. Ajay Prasanna, Yashraj, Aditya GhadviFrom the album Sounds of Kumbha by Siddhant BhatiaTOP FLOOR SHiiiFeat. Calm, NEVERSOBERDAFFeat. Badshah2026Mujhe Yeh Gaana Pasand HaiTAX
Accolades AwardYearRecipient(s) and nominee(s)CategoryResultRefTIMD Awards2024Ladke ConvictBest Hip-Hop Release Of The Year Grammy Awards2026Sounds of Kumbha (as featuring artist)Best Global Music Album
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References