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ZEE5 Global launches Kerala’s first hip-hop reality show
The show will stream exclusively on ZEE5, while its original music will be released under the Zee Music Company label.
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Staff Reporter - Thu, 25, Jun 2026
- 16:10 EDT
- 25
ZEE5 Indie Kerala Underground / ZEE5
ZEE5 Global has announced the launch of ZEE5 Indie Kerala Underground, Kerala’s first hip-hop reality show, aimed at discovering Malayalam hip-hop talent.
The streaming platform said auditions for the show will be held in Kochi on June 30, giving aspiring rappers and hip-hop artists an opportunity to compete for a place among the top 10 contestants. The selected artists will participate in a series of performances, challenges and eliminations as they compete for the title of Kerala’s ultimate underground hip-hop champion.
The reality series comes at a time when Malayalam hip-hop is gaining wider recognition and mainstream popularity. Organizers said the show will focus not only on musical talent but also on the personal stories, struggles and aspirations that shape each artist’s creative journey.
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The program will feature prominent artists from Kerala’s hip-hop scene, including Dabzee, MC Couper, Imbachi and Parimal Shais, who will serve as mentors throughout the competition. The show will be hosted by Aathira Rajeev.
Lloyd Xavier, business head for Tamil and Malayalam at ZEE5, said the initiative aims to provide a platform for authentic regional talent and showcase a generation of artists whose voices deserve broader recognition.
Dabzee described the series as an opportunity for artists to share their stories while remaining true to their identities. “Kerala Underground gives artists a platform to tell their stories without filters and stay true to who they are. I’m excited to mentor the next generation of voices who will shape the future of the scene.”
MC Couper said hip-hop is rooted in local culture and self-expression. “Hip-hop is a locally-rooted art form. It is about owning your identity. Kerala Underground gives artists a platform to tell their stories without filters and stay true to who they are. I’m excited to look at the next generation here for a banger.”
Parimal Shais highlighted the genre’s ability to give regional stories and perspectives a wider audience. “Every region has its own rhythm, its own slang, its own way of seeing the world. The most exciting thing about hip-hop is that it gives those differences a stage.”
Imbachi said the underground scene has evolved into a powerful cultural movement driven by authenticity and creative freedom. “It’s not an emerging scene anymore; we’ve arrived. The Kerala Underground is creating history and is here to stay.”
Filmed across locations in Kerala, the documentary-style series seeks to capture the energy and spirit of the state’s hip-hop community.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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