Emiway Bantai

Bilal Shaikh (born November 13, 1995), better known by his stage name Emiway Bantai, is an Indian hip-hop rapper and music artist. He gained recognition for his work in projects like "Gully Boy" (2019), "Indian Hip Hop Cypher" (2023), and "Emiway Bantai & Chris Gayle: Jamaica to India" (2021). He has released four albums, including his latest, Wholeheartedly, released in March 2024. He has recorded and performed with Snoop Dogg, DAX, Macklemore, Rishabh Kant, Maanu, and Young Galib.
Emiway Bantai uses his music to raise consciousness by writing about themes such as independence, friendship, self-confidence, social issues, and pushing boundaries. He frequently raps about his journey from being a local artist to gaining global recognition, emphasizing the importance of following one's heart and dreams.
==Early life and education==
Emiway Bantai, born Bilal Shaikh, was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, on November 13, 1995. He completed his schooling at LHS in Mumbai. During high school, he developed an interest in rap music, particularly that of Eminem. His academic performance was strong until he failed the twelfth standard.
==Career==
Emiway Bantai adopted his stage name by combining the names of two popular rap artists, Eminem and Lil Wayne, whom he considered his greatest influences. During his early years as a rapper, he worked as a helper at the Hard Rock Cafe in Mumbai to support himself financially.
He began his musical journey by releasing the English song "Glint Lock" in 2014 before transitioning to Hindi music. His song "Aur Bantai" marked his breakthrough with over 13 million views (as of April 2024).
In 2017, he collaborated with Bollywood rapper Raftaar on the track "#SADAK." Emiway Bantai's repertoire expanded with songs like "Mazak Hai Kya" and "Boht Hard," focusing on themes of friendship and resilience. His music reflects themes of independence, self-made success, and social commentary, resonating with a wide audience.
He gained a significant online following, particularly during his beef with Raftaar, resulting in popular DJ tracks like "Giraftaar," "Samajh Mein Aaya Kya?" and "Khatam," each surpassing 110 million views on YouTube.
In January 2019, Emiway Bantai released the hit party anthem, "Machayenge," which became one of the most-streamed Indian rap songs by an independent artist. The subsequent release, "Firse Machayenge" in 2020, included a remix featuring American rapper Macklemore.
In 2020, social media comments sparked a highly publicized diss battle between Emiway Bantai and Divine. The feud culminated in Emiway Bantai's "Gully Ka Kutta," recognized as one of the most intense diss tracks in Desi hip-hop history.
Throughout his career, Emiway Bantai has collaborated with various international artists such as Macklemore, Snoop Dogg, DAX, Chris Gayle, Rishabh Kant, Lexz Pryde, THEMXXNLIGHT, Celina Sharma, Kara Marni, Maanu, and Young Galib.
Emiway Bantai represented India at YouTube Fanfest in 2020.
In 2021, he served as a judge on the reality show "Red Bull Spotlight."
In 2021, Emiway Bantai launched his record label, "Bantai Records," signing seven artists: Loka, Hellac, Swaalina, Thoratt, Meme Machine, Minta, and Young Galib. The label's YouTube channel garnered 100K subscribers within 24 hours of its launch.
Over the years, Emiway Bantai has released four albums, including his latest, Wholeheartedly, released in March 2024. His latest single, “One Hai Re Bhai,” released in April 2024, has garnered 3.5 million views within a week.
==Awards and recognitions==
* Emiway Bantai received the Best Hip-Hop Artist (People’s Choice) Award at the Radio City Freedom Awards for three consecutive years (2017, 2018, and 2019).
* Emiway Bantai won "Best Indian Act" at the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards for "Freeverse Feast (Dawat)." 
* In 2016, Emiway Bantai won the Radio City Freedom Award for the song “Aisa Kuch Shot Nai Hai.”
==Discography==
===Albums===
* Malum Hai Na (2021)
* 8 Saal (2022)
* King Of The Streets (2023)
* Wholeheartedly (2024)
===EPs===
* Dhundh Ke Dikha (2020)
* Monsoon (2022)
===Singles===
* Tap On The Floor (2013)
* Yeh Meri Zindagi (2013)
* Glint Lock (2014)
* F.O.U.R Square (2014)
* Aur Bantai (2014)
* Bewafa Ho Dafa (2014)
* Choti Choti (2014)
* Soonn (2014)
* Hateli Khopdi (2014)
* Freeverse 2014 (2014)
* Na Maine Jana (2015)
* Maa (2015)
* Mera Naam Bantai (2015)
* Gnada Flow (2015)
* Soch (2016)
* Keema (2016)
* Mazak Hai Kya (2016)
* Aisa Kuch Shot Nhi Hai (2016)
* Tadak Padak (2016)
* Bhingri (2016)
* Fun Dekho (2016)
* Chatrang (2016)
* Maal Wali Aunty (2016)
* Naughty Boy (2016)
* Bholenath Ka Birthday (2017)
* Kala Dhan (2017)
* Mein (2017)
* Abbu (2017)
* Jhand Hai (2017)
* Dynamite (2017)
* Sadak (2017)
* Mera Bhai Mera Bhai (2018)
* Ebu Hatela (2018)
* Abe Chodna (2018)
* No Rape (2018)
* Kaun Hu Mein (2018)
* Kadak Ban (2018)
* Out Of Sampark (2018)
* Giraftaar (2018)
* Samajh Mein Aaya Kya? (2018)
* Khatam (2018)
* Boht Hard (2018)
* Jum Kar (2018)
* Machayenge (2019)
* Dhyan De (2019)
* Bajo (2019)
* Skrrt Karenge (2019)
* Freeverse FEAST (2019)
* Jallad (2019)
* I Been That (2019)
* Lean On (2019)
* Pagal Sa Rapper (2019)
* Seedha Takeover (2019)
* Dhua Dhua (2019)
* Bharosa (2020)
* Firse Machayenge (2020)
* Maalik (2020)
* Batista Bomb (2020)
* Asli Nakli (2020)
* Khatam Karona (2020)
* Superhit (2020)
* Hard (2020)
* Gully Ka Kutta (2020)
* Grind (2020)
* New World (2020)
* Round One (2020)
* Kaun Hai Ye (2020)
* Lonely (2020)
* Charge (2020)
* Thanks To God (2020)
* Ladka Alag Sa (2020)
* AS-Salam Walekum (2020)
* 100 Kadam Pe (2020)
* Khona Hai (2020)
* Khatam Hue Waande (2020)
* Ring Ring (2020)
* Royal Rumble (2021)
* What Can I Do (2021)
* No Love (2021)
* The Cypher (2021)
* Jamaica to India (2021)
* Shy (2021)
* Malum Hai Na (2021)
* Machayenge 3 (2021)
* Bnatai Ki Public (2021)
* Sath Mai (2021)
* My Time (2021)
* Pani Mai (2021)
* Jawab De (2021)
* Hai Tu Kaun (2021)
* Heal (2021)
* That’s How I Feel (2021)
* Believe (2021)
* Shukriya (2021)
* Street Talk (2021)
* Ruthless (2022)
* Kaha Par Hun (2022)
* Mera (2022)
* Chusamba (2022)
* KR LA$DA SIGn (2022)
* Jootha (2022)
* Machayenge 4 (2022)
* Thanks To My Haters (2022)
* Lobotomy (2022)
* Fuck Emiway (2022)
* Bhool Ja (2022)
* Baby (2022)
* Guess (2022)
* King Of The Streets (2022)
* Pyaar Hai (2022)
* Drill (2022)
* Company (2022)
* No Brands (2023)
* Sab Kuch New (2023)
* Zaruratich Nai Hai (2023)
* Scene Change (2023)
* Company Remix (2023)
* Chhod Dala (2023)
* Kya Bolti Public (2023)
* King Of Indian Hip Hop (2023)
* Kudi (2023)
* Indian Hip Hop Cypher (2023)
* STILL NUMBER 1 (2023)
* Good Boy (2023)
* Rehem (2023)
* W (2023)
* One Hai Re Bhai (2024)
* Hasbi Rabbi (2024)
==References==
==External links==
* Emiway Bantai on YouTube
* 
* Emiway Bantai on Spotify
* Emiway Bantai on IMDb
* Emiway Bantai on Apple Music
Category:1995 births
Category:Indian rappers
Category:Indian hip hop singers
Category:Indian musicians
Category:Indian YouTubers