Uday Pandhi crowned as the winner of MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT

India’s groundbreaking rap reality television show POCO MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT concluded with a nail-biting finale where Delhi’s Uday Pandhi was announced the indisputable winner. The Dee MC Dynamites champion won millions of hearts throughout his extraordinary journey of 10 competitive weeks. This season of POCO MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT witnessed UDAY’s unmatched rap prowess, as the youngest prodigy of the season claimed the much-coveted title of being the next desi hip-hop sensation!

Super-talented Bassick from Jhansi was declared the runner-up, while conscious rapper 100RBH from Amravati won the ‘OG Hustler trophy'.

The grand finale of POCO MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT was a true-blue battleground, with stellar performances by finalists, Mrunal Shankar, Kayden Sharma, Vijay Dada, Bassick, 100RBH and UDAY Pandhi, the top 6 who proved their mettle through this rollercoaster ride of challenges. 

Marked by unrivalled performances, shocking eliminations, and touching emotional moments, the unforgettable episode gripped fans across the nation! Ecstatic about the win, Uday Pandhi said, “POCO MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT has been more than a stage; it's been an unbelievable trajectory of learning, hard work, and experimentation. I was fortunate to be a part of this phenomenon that allowed me to push boundaries, get out of my comfort zone, and grow as an artist. My Squad Boss, Dee MC was my unshakeable support in this process. Winning this trophy is like a dream and I am humbled by this honour!”

Talking about UDAY’s big win, global rap artist and supremo Badshah said, “On POCO MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT, we are not just weaving verses but crafting legacies. I am really happy to see UDAY win; he totally deserved this title. I am proud of each contestant that has graced this stage, and I wish them all the best in the future. I am extremely pleased to partner with MTV 

Hustle once again and look forward to a long-standing partnership with IPS like these that do full justice to talent discovery and honing of creative skills within the burgeoning hip-hop scene in India.”

This season proved to be a landmark one, as the champion and OG Hustler trophy-winner both belong to Dee MC’s Squad. Not only was this a groundbreaking win for a Femcee, but also a first in Indian rap history, reinforcing MTV Hustle as the biggest rap battleground that is inclusive and open to talent. Thrilled about this win, Dee MC said, “I am super proud of UDAY, and I am extremely happy that my squad won! I feel he has been an inspiration all along for all of us! I have always believed in his humility, talent, determination, and passion. Full power to UDAY!”

POCO MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT’s powerful clarion call, ‘India Ab Tumhari Baari’, celebrated and represented Indian youth’s diverse and rich tapestry of ideologies, identity, social issues, music, passion, and culture. Featuring cutting-edge graphics and state-of-the-art acoustics, the latest season treated fans with a best-in-class experience of Indian rap. With influences ranging from regional to Bollywood, the season was a sonic revolution that broke all linguistic and geographic barriers, enriched by contributions from music maestros Karan Kanchan and Anurag Saikia. The pan-India talent pool was challenged through different episode themes, diversifying their skill set, musicality and performances across rap genres like chill hop, lo-fi, trap, jazz, and more. 

The contestants candidly addressed relevant and heartfelt issues through their performances, truly resonating with the theme of ‘REPRESENT’, such as domestic violence (in "Devi" by Rap ID), overcoming depression and healing through music (in "Mein Sochi Jawan" by Burrah) struck a chord with the audience. UDAY’s performance in Indian Sign Language and Bob. B Randhawa’s tribute to Sidhu Moose Wala in "Ready to Die" were just a few of the many convention-defying songs the season presented. Notable industry guests like music composer Salim Merchant, rapper duo Seedhe Maut, Sikandar Kahlo, Raaga, King, and Guru Randhawa added an extra layer of professional perspective. This season also witnessed a remarkable milestone for the franchise, as actor Samantha Ruth Prabhu announced the CFE for MTV Hustle’s Tamil version, MTV Hustle Nemma Pettai. The show’s run was speckled with viral tracks and celebrity shout-outs, including from stars like Rana Daggubati and Vijay Deverakonda, reinforcing its status as the ultimate home for India’s desi hip-hop evolution.