Rapping for Social Change

Deepa Unnikrishnan learns how hip-hop can spark community change. SPAN writer Michael Gallant reports Mumbai-based hip-hop artist Deepa Unnikrishnan, popularly known as Dee MC , has won rap battles and recorded hard-hitting tracks in multiple languages. She has broken ground as a trailblazing woman in a musical style often dominated by men. In April, 2024, she explored new territory by traveling to the United States as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program  (IVLP) on “Hip Hop and Civic Engagement.” Along with artists and educators from 21 other countries, Unnikrishnan visited Washington, D.C., New York City, Raleigh in North Carolina, and other American communities to learn about the past, present and future of hip-hop. The participants learned about hip-hop’s evolution from an underground music movement, born in the Bronx borough of New York City in the 1970s, to one of the world’s most popular and powerful genres. They also explored hip-hop’s ability to speak hard truths, empower marginalised communities and inspire social change.  Cross-pollination of talent Unnikrishnan was born in Kerala and grew up on the outskirts of Mumbai. She first discovered hip-hop as a teenager and was an avid break-dancer before she started rapping. “I...