MTV Hustle


MTV Hustle is an Indian rap and hip-hop reality show. Aspiring rappers battle it out to become India's biggest hip-hop star. The show airs on MTV India.
The first season premiered on 10 August 2019, and was judged by Raftaar, Nucleya and Raja Kumari, accompanied by host Gaelyn Mendonca.
The second season premiered on 3 September 2022. Hosted by Krissann Barretto, the show was judged by Badshah along with four squad bosses - EPR Iyer, Dino James, Dee MC and King Rocco.
The third season premiered on 21 October 2023. Hosted by Wicked Sunny and Super Mannik, the show was judged by Badshah for the second time consecutively, along with four squad bosses - EPR Iyer, Dino James, Dee MC and Ikka.
The fourth season premiered on 19 October 2024. Hosted by MC Talha and MC Jizzy, the show was judged by Raftaar and Ikka, along with four squad bosses - EPR Iyer, Dino James, Dee MC and Raga.
On 10 December 2023, during episode 16 of season 3, Samantha Ruth Prabhu announced the Tamil edition of MTV Hustle Namma Pettai.

Series

As of 2024, there have been 4 seasons of the show.

Season 1

MTV Hustle 1 premiered on 10 August 2019. M-Zee Bella was declared winner.
• Judges
Raftaar
Nucleya
Raja Kumari
• Host
Gaelyn Mendonca

Contestants

Summary

Weekly summary

Week 3 (Episode 5–6)

Week 4 (Episode 7–8)

Week 5 (Episode 9–10)

Week 6 (Episode 11–12)

Week 7 (Episode 13–14)

Week 8 (Episode 15–16)

Week 9 (Episode 17–18)

Special Performance by the first two finalists EPR & M-Zee-Bella along with Raftaar & Brodha V in Episode 18.

Week 10 (Episode 19–20)

After Top 5 Finalists performed, Judges had to decide two of them to the Final Battle Round for the Title.
OrderRapperResult
1EPRRunner-up
2M-Zee-BellaWinner

Guests

Season 2

Judges and host

replaced the entire judge panel of season 1, along with four squad bosses Dino James, Dee MC, EPR and King, out of which, the latter two competed as contestants in the previous season. Krissann Barretto hosted the show. MC Square was declared as the winner.

Contestants

Squads

Episode 1-4

Episode 5-20

Squad of the Week

Summary

Weekly summary

Week 1-2 (Episode 1–4)

For week 1 & 2, after each contestant performed Badshah decides which squad to be assigned to. But, the Squad Bosses can sound the horn and ask the contestant to join their squad.
Key Squad Boss horn to join their squad Badshah choice to assign squad Radio Ready Performer Bottom 6
Battleground 2.0
The bottom 6 contestant compete one vs one in the Battleground. Only 2 moved-on to the next round.
After 3 battles, the two squads EPR Rebels & King Slayers had to choose one contestant to join their squad. UNB was not chosen and was eliminated.
Snatch Battle
In this battle the squad bosses compete against each other for a contestant.

Week 3 (Episode 5–6)

From this week, the squad bosses scored after each performance.
Also the public voting were open, with the votes effecting the next week's elimination.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer Safe

Week 4 (Episode 7–8)

Last week's squad of the week, Dee MC had to choose one of the two random cards. She got the Danger Zone and chose Lxsh.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer Immunity Card Danger Card Immune Safe Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 5 (Episode 9–10)

Last week's squad of the week, EPR had to choose one of the two random envelops. He got Power to save and chose GD 47.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer Power to save Power to eliminate Immune Safe Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 6 (Episode 11–12)

Theme: Lyrical
Last week's squad of the week, EPR had a special power "Judge 2.0", to judge the elimination battles. But he decided not to eliminate anyone.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer Power to save Power to eliminate Immune Safe Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 7 (Episode 13–14)

Theme: Shout-out
Last week's squad of the week, Dino James had a special power "Score + 2.0", where he could add 2 points to any rapper. He choose GD 47 to add 2 points.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer Immune Safe Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 8 (Episode 15-16)

Theme #1: Collaboration - Squad Bosses' paired-up the rappers.
Theme #2: Badshah's Industry Ready Challenges:
  • Dee MC Dynamites: Ad Jingle to Hip Hop
  • Dino Warriors: Use Key Words in Rap
  • EPR Rebels: Brand Anthem Rendition
  • King Slayers: Bollywood to Hip Hop
Last week's squad of the week, Dino James had a special power "Danger Zone 2.0", where he could another Collab pair in Danger Zone. He choose Spectra and Panther.

Week 9 Semi Final (Episode 17-18)

Theme: Battleground 2.0
Top 10 contestants competed in one-on-one Battles to earn the Ticket to Finale. Only 5 contestants advanced to the Finale.
Battle No.OrderSquadRapperBattle Result
11Dino WarriorsWicked SunnyEliminated
12EPR RebelsNazzTop 5
21Dee MC DynamitesSuper ManikkEliminated
22Dee MC DynamitesSpectraTop 5
31Dino WarriorsGravityTop 5
32King SlayersParadoxTop 5
41Dee MC DynamitesQKEliminated
42King SlayersUK Rapi BoyEliminated
51Dino WarriorsSrushtiEliminated
52EPR RebelsMC SquareTop 5 +

Top 5 Finalists performed for the public and the public voting were open for final time, with the votes deciding the winner next week.
OrderSquadRapperJudge
OrderSquadRapperBadshah
1EPR RebelsMC Square
2Dino WarriorsGravity
3EPR RebelsNazz
4Dee MC DynamitesSpectra
5King SlayersParadox

Week 10 Final (Episode 19-20)

After Top 5 Finalists performed, based on Public Votes three moved-on to TOP 3.
SquadRapperFinal Result
EPR RebelsMC SquareWinner
King SlayersParadoxRunner-up
EPR RebelsNazz3rd Place

Guests

Season 3

Judges and host

and squad bosses EPR, Dino James and Dee MC returned to judge. Ikka Singh joined season 3 as the new squad boss. Super Manikk and Wicked Sunny were the hosts for this season. On 24 December 2023, Uday was declared as the winner.

Contestants

Squads

Squad and Performer of the week

Summary

Weekly summary

Week 1-2 (Episode 1–4)

For week 1 & 2, after each contestant performed Badshah decides which squad to be assigned to. But, the Squad Bosses can mic drop and ask the contestant to join their squad.
Key Mic drop from squad boss Radio Ready Performer Bottom 6 Advanced to Top 16
Battleground: Ground Shunya
The bottom 6 contestant compete three-way battle in the Battleground. Only 2 moved-on to the next round.
After 2 battles, Badshah had to choose two contestant to join Dee MC Dynamites squad.

Week 3 (Episode 5–6): Showcase Week

From this week, the squad bosses scored out of 3 after each performance.
Also the public voting were open, with the votes effecting the next week's elimination.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer of the Week Safe

Week 4 (Episode 7–8): BYOB Week - Bring Your Own Bars, Bring Your Own Beats, Bring Your Own Bangers

This week's squad of the week, Dee MC had to choose to save one of the four Rappers in Danger Zone. She chose Shen B.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer of the Week Immune Safe Originally in Danger Zone, but was saved from Squad Boss of the week Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 5 (Episode 9–10): Zone Flip

This week's squad of the week, Dee MC had to choose to save one of the four Rappers in Danger Zone. She chose 100 RBH.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer of the Week Immune Safe Originally in Danger Zone, but was saved from Squad Boss of the week Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 6 (Episode 11–12): Level Up

This week's squad of the week, Dino had to choose to save one of the three Rappers in Danger Zone. He chose Poet Shaf.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer of the Week Immune Safe Originally in Danger Zone, but was saved from Squad Boss of the week Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 7 (Episode 13–14): Go Bass the Boss

Mrunal Shankar won the ticket to Finale. This week's squad of the week, Ikka Gangstar had to choose to save one of the five Rappers in Danger Zone. He chose Kayden.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer of the Week Immune Safe Originally in Danger Zone, but was saved from Squad Boss of the week Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 8 (Episode 15–16): Collab Week

This week contestants collaborated and performed in pairs. As Mrunal Shankar won the Ticket to Finale, she collabed with her Squad Boss EPR.
Also each squad performed a group Ad Jingle for the sponsors of the show.
  • EPR Rebels: POCO
  • Dee MC Dynamites: Appy Fizz
  • Ikka Gangsters: Big muscle nutrition
  • Dino Warriors: MTV
Vijay Dada won the ticket to Finale. This week's squad of the week was Dee MC Dynamites. This week there was only bottom 2, no-one was saved by squad boss power or public vote.
Key "Radio Hit" from Bashah Best Performer of the Week Ticket to Finale Immune Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 9 (Episode 17-18): Semi Final - Mega Ground Shunya

8 contestants from Top 10 competed in one-on-one Battles to move on to the Finale. Only 4 contestants advanced to the Finale. Mrunal Shankar and Vijay Dada didn't compete as they had ticket to Finale
Battle No.OrderSquadRapperBattle Result
11Dee MC DynamitesShen BEliminated
12Dino WarriorsBassickAdvanced to Top 6
21Dee MC Dynamites100 RBHAdvanced to Top 6
22Ikka GangstarsRap IDEliminated
31Ikka GangstarsKayden SharmaAdvanced to Top 6
32Dino WarriorsBurrahEliminated
41EPR RebelsGaushEliminated
42Dee MC DynamitesUdayAdvanced to Top 6

Top 6 Finalists performed for the public and the public voting were open for final time, with the votes deciding the winner next week.
OrderSquadRapperJudge
OrderSquadRapperBadshah
1Dino WarriorsBassick
2Dee MC DynamitesUday
3Ikka GangstarsKayden Sharma
4Dee MC Dynamites100 RBH
5EPR RebelsMrunal Shankar
6Dino WarriorsVijay Dada

Week 10 (Episode 19–20): Grand Finale

The winner wins ₹10,00,000 cash prize, POCO Made of Mad gifts worth ₹2.5 lakhs and GOVO soundbar.
100 RBH won the OG Hustler Award and received a cash prize of ₹5,00,000.
OrderSquadRapperResult
1Dee Mc DynamitesUdayTop 3
2Dino WarriorsBassickTop 3
3Dee MC Dynamites100 RBHTop 3
4Dino WarriorsVijay DadaEliminated
5EPR RebelsMrunal ShankarEliminated
6Ikka GangstersKayden SharmaEliminated

After Top 6 Finalists performed, based on Judges choice three moved-on to TOP 3. And the winner was crowned based on Public Votes.
OrderSquadRapperFinal Result
1Dee Mc DynamitesUdayWinner
2Dino WarriorsBassickRunner up
3DeeMc Dynamites100 RBHThird Place

Guests

Season 4

This season, also known as MTV Hustle 4: ‘HIP HOP, DON’T STOP’, premiered on 19 October 2024.

Judges and host

returned as the judge after his absence from two seasons, accompanied by Ikka Singh on the panel. EPR, Dino James and Dee MC returned to judge and were joined by Raga as the newest addition to squad bosses. Jizzy and Talha Siddiqui hosted the season. Lashcurry was declared as the winner.

Contestants

Squads

Squad and Performer of the week

Summary

Weekly summary

Week 1-2 (Episode 1–4)

For week 1 & 2, during each contestant's performance squad bosses had 90 seconds to add them to their playlist, each contestant required at least three squad bosses vote to be assign to a squad. But the contestants who gets Radio Ready from either Raftaar or Ikka, they decide which squad to be assigned to.
Key Add to playlist from squad boss Radio Ready Performer Bottom 6 Advanced
BattleVerse: Huddle Room
Six contestants from Huddle Room battled it out in the Battleground, with only three making it to the next round.

Week 3 (Episode 5–6): Hustle Pro Max

From this week, the squad bosses scored out of 10 after each performance. Also the public voting were open, with the votes effecting the next week's elimination. No elimination this week.
Key "Radio Hit" from Judges Best Performer of the Week Immune Safe Danger Zone

Week 4 (Episode 7–8): Flex Week

From this week, based on public votes and squad bosses scores elimination begins. This week's squad of the week, EPR had to choose to save one of the three Rappers in Danger Zone. He chose Rajjo.
Key "Radio Hit" from Judges Best Performer of the Week Immune Safe Danger Zone Originally in Danger Zone, but was saved from Squad Boss of the week Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 5 (Episode 9–10): Imagery

This week's squad of the week, Raga had to choose to save one of the four Rappers in Danger Zone. He chose Mad Trip.
Key "Radio Hit" from Judges Best Performer of the Week Immune Safe Danger Zone Originally in Danger Zone, but was saved from Squad Boss of the week Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 6 (Episode 11–12): hustle flip

This week's squad of the week, Dee MC had to choose to save one of the six Rappers in Danger Zone. She chose Pho. There was no Battle this week, two rappers with the least votes were eliminated.
Key "Radio Hit" from Judges Best Performer of the Week Immune Danger Zone Originally in Danger Zone, but was saved from Squad Boss of the week Eliminated

Week 7 (Episode 13–14): Power Move

99side was the Rap Royalty and moved directly to the Finale. No elimination this week, this week's public votes and score were moved forward to next week.
Key "Radio Hit" from Judges Best Performer of the Week Rap Royalty Immune Safe

Week 8 (Episode 15–16): Collab week

This week rappers had to collab with other rappers and perform a number. As last week's Rap Royalty, 99side collabed with former contestant Gravity.
Also each squad performed a group Ad collab for the sponsors of the show.
Dharmik was the Rap Royalty and moved directly to the Finale.
Key "Radio Hit" from Judges Best Performers of the Week Rap Royalty Finalist Immune Safe Danger Zone Bottom 2 Eliminated

Week 9 (Episode 17–18): The Ultimate BattleVerse

Eight rappers battled it out in the Ultimate BattleVerse, with only four making it to the Finale.
Key "Radio Hit" from Judges Best Performers of the Week Rap Royalty Eliminated

Top 6 Finalists performed for the public and the public voting were open for final time, with the votes deciding the winner next week.
OrderSquadRapperJudges
Decision
1Dino Warriors99side
2Raga RagersLashcurry
3Dee MC DynamitesDharmik
4Raga RagersSiyaahi
5EPR RebelsNaam Sujal
6EPR RebelsVichaar

Winners

  • Lashcurry – Winner of Hustle 4
  • Naam Sujal -- Runner up

    Observation

MTV Hustle season 1 winner M-Zee Bella supported Lashcurry.
MTV Hustle season 2 winner MC Square supported NAAM SUJAL.
MTV Hustle season 3 winner UDAY PANDHI supported Dharmik.
Thus, Whom winner of Season 1 supported occupied 1st position, similarly whom winner of Season 2 supported occupied 2nd position and lastly whom winner of Season3 supported occupied 3rd position.
Appreciative arrangement for maintaining the winners' legacy.

Guests

Controversy

During the fourth season of MTV Hustle, internet personality Rohan Cariappa, who rose to fame for his content covering the Indian hip-hop scene, shared a video on November 30, 2025 on his YouTube channel, which pointed out that judge Ikka, was wearing a Harley-Davidson jacket on the Royal Enfield sponsored show. Cariappa was soon met with at least fifty copyright strikes on his videos covering the show, which led to YouTube issuing a warning of his channel being shutdown on December 7. Soon, the show was met with widespread backlash by netizens and the hashtag #ShameOnMTVHUSTLE started trending on Twitter to support Cariappa. Indian rappers like Yashraj, Encore ABJ, Badshah, Raja Kumari, and YouTubers like Samay Raina, Arpit Bala, RAPBOT, Prakhar Gupta spoke out against the injustice. Raftaar, who was a judge on the show, told the audience to be patient and requested the show makers, to "meet in the middle and let’s make it happen", while boAt, one of the sponsors of the show, also expressed their dissent regarding the action. Cariappa eventually issued a written apology on Twitter, on December 6 and shared an apology video, a day after, where he thanked the audience, content creators and rappers who supported him.