U.S. Embassy New Delhi: Bridging Cultures Through Hip-Hop Grant Opportunity

Hip-hop, a music genre which began as an underground movement in New York, has in recent years surpassed many other genres of music in terms of popularity, ascending to a global art form. In India too, hip-hop culture is becoming increasingly popular. Besides Hindi, there is a phenomenal increase in number of hip-hop artists emerging in local vernacular languages across India. The recent commercial success of Bollywood blockbuster Gully Boy also acted as a catalyst in bringing the culture of India’s underground hip-hop scene to the forefront. Amidst all this organic growth of India hip-hop culture, it is hard to miss the influences from American hip-hop scene. Bridging cultures through Hip-Hop aims to explore the commonalities and differences between India and the United States through this influential music genre.

From the beginning, hip-hop musicians in the USA have used their art to highlight socio-political problems, particularly pertaining to youth in underserved and other minority communities. Through this program, the Embassy aims to show the vibrancy and innovative creativity of U.S. society, and talk about using hip-hop music as a form of free expression, and promote values such as freedom of expression, pluralism, tolerance and inclusion, and to increase a sense of connection by building linkages across communities that normally do not interact. 

Through this funding opportunity, the Public Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy New Delhi is requesting proposals for a project entitled Bridging Cultures Through Hip-Hop that would recruit an American hip-hop artist/group to engage with diverse audiences in 4-5 cities in India.

Under this project, the grantee will organize and implement the travel to India of a hip-hop artist/group from the U.S. for 10-14 days. The recipient will include at least one American musician or production company of American or mixed composition.

In addition to identifying an American Hip-Hop performer/group, the grantee will also be responsible for coordinating the travel to India, organizing their performances at prominent cultural festivals in India, and arranging for two to three other interactions per program day such as performances, master classes, and workshops that would make the work and the cultural dialogue accessible to young Indians. Special consideration will be given to proposals that would assist in increasing community engagement and building linkages between Indian and U.S. institutions.

The goal is to engage citizens and artists in social action through music productions that highlight the achievements of the arts in America, promote respect for cultural diversity and understanding, and emphasize the role of music as a form of free expression and tool to promote tolerance and inclusion in democracy. The recipient is encouraged to identify potential institutional partners and target audiences.  

Proposals should include a proposed budget for performances and accompanying workshops/master classes in at least 4-5 cities in India. The performances would range in size from small, intimate affairs with a select audience, to large scale public performances. The successful proposal will specify any required materials or equipment for the performances and workshops. 

Potential venues for performances and workshops would be proposed by both the recipient and U.S. Mission India cultural programming staff, and the final decision will be the Embassy’s. The U.S. Mission will work with the program partner, local partners, and with other appropriate institutions to identify priority locations for this project.

Performances and workshops may be recorded and prepared for broadcast/social media dissemination through a variety of platforms, at the discretion of the U.S. Embassy. Local publicity would be done in coordination with the U.S. Embassy New Delhi, and/or North India Office, and the U.S. Consulates in Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad. 

(Please refer to the full announcement available under ‘related documents’ tab)