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.

Season 1 premiered on 10 August 2019. Judged by Raftaar, Nucleya and Raja Kumari and hosted by Gaelyn Mendonca.

Season 2 premiered on 3 September 2022. Hosted by Krissann Barretto, the show was judged by Badshah along with four squad bosses - EPR, Dino James, Dee MC, King Rocco.

Season 3 premiered on 21 October 2023. Hosted by Wicked Sunny and Super Mannik, the show was again judged by Badshah, along with four squad bosses - EPR, Dino James, Dee MC and Ikka Singh.

Season 4 premiered on 19 October 2024. Hosted by MC Talha and MC Jizzy, the show is judged by Raftaar (second time) and ikka Singh, along with four squad bosses - EPR, 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

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

Male

Female

Summary

Notes

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.

Guests

Season 2

Judges and host

Badshah along with four squad bosses EPR, king, Dino James and Dee MC judged and Krissann Barretto hosted the show. MC Square was declared winner.

Contestants

Male

Female

Squads

Episode 1-4

Episode 5-20

Squad of the Week

Summary

Notes

"Bold Numbers" represent "Radio Hits" received from Badshah

Best Performer of the week

Received positive critics and was declared safe

Safe

Received negative critics and was in Danger Zone but was declared safe

Bottom

Eliminated

Finalist

Runner-up

Winner

Guest

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.

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.

Week 4 (Episode 7–8)

Last week's squad of the week, Dee MC had to choose one of the two random cards (Immunity Card: to save one Rapper from elimination & Danger Card: to put one Rapper up for elimination from other squad). She got the Danger Zone and chose Lxsh.

Week 5 (Episode 9–10)

Last week's squad of the week, EPR had to choose one of the two random envelops (Power to eliminate & Power to save). He got Power to save and chose GD 47.

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.

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.

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 (Classic range)
Dino Warriors: Use Key Words in Rap (Muscle, Freak, Fitness, Weightlifting)
EPR Rebels: Brand Anthem Rendition (Yamaha - the call of the blue)
King Slayers: Bollywood to Hip Hop (Tujhko jo paya)

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.

Top 5 Finalists performed for the public and the public voting were open for final time, with the votes deciding the winner next week.

Week 10 Final (Episode 19-20)

After Top 5 Finalists performed, based on Public Votes three moved-on to TOP 3.

Guests

Season 3

Judges and host

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

Contestants

Male

Female

Squads

Squad and Performer of the week

Summary

Notes

"Bold Numbers" represent "Radio Hits" received from Badshah

Best Performer of the week

Received positive critics and was declared safe

Safe

Received negative critics and was in Danger Zone but was declared safe

Bottom

Winner

Finalist

Runner-up

Eliminated

Guest

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Top 6 Finalists performed for the public and the public voting were open for final time, with the votes deciding the winner next week.

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.

After Top 6 Finalists performed, based on Judges choice three moved-on to TOP 3. And the winner was crowned based on Public Votes.

Guests

Season 4

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

Judges and host

Raftaar and Ikka Singh were the new judging panel and squad bosses EPR, Dino James and Dee MC returned to judge. Raga joined season 4 as new squad boss Dependent artists(Jizzy, Talha siddiqui) will host this season it's a great blend to see some raw talent even in hosts.

Contestants

Male

Female

Squads

Squad and Performer of the week

Summary

Notes

"Bold Numbers" represent "Radio Hits" received from Judges

{{Color

box|orange|border=silver}} Best Performer of the week Finalist

Best Performer of the week

Received positive critics (Radio Hit) and was declared safe

Safe

Received negative critics and was in Danger Zone but was declared safe

Bottom

Eliminated

Finalist

Runner-up

Winner

Guest

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.

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.

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.

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.

Week 6 (Episode 11–12): Rap Royalty Phase

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.

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.