Dawood Musicxx: The Bandipora Rapper Putting Kashmiri Hip-Hop on the Map
Dawood Musicxx, born Dawood Farooq, is a hip-hop artist from Bandipora, Kashmir, turning Boom Bap, Trap and Drill into a voice for a new generation. Still in his teens, he is already building a name as one of the most focused young rappers in the valley — an artist who treats every verse like a statement and every beat like a canvas.
Roots in Bandipora
Dawood Farooq was born on 17 November 2007 and raised in Bandipora, in the north of Jammu & Kashmir — a place of mountains, lakes and quiet towns, far from the studios and stages of India's big-city rap scenes. That distance has never been a disadvantage. It is exactly what makes his perspective his own: hip-hop heard, learned and rebuilt from the ground up, in his own words and on his own terms.
His passion for hip-hop and lyrical expression started early, and it shows in how seriously he takes the craft. Where many young artists chase whatever sound is trending, Dawood studies the genre — its history, its techniques, and the different styles that live inside it.
Boom Bap, Trap, Drill — One Artist, Many Lanes
Ask what defines the Dawood Musicxx sound and the answer is range. His musical versatility spans multiple rap subgenres, including Boom Bap, Trap, and Drill — three styles with very different energies, tempos and traditions. Moving between them is not about copying what works; it is about experimenting with diverse rap styles while keeping his own perspective at the centre of every track.
Lyricism First
At the core of his artistry is a focus on lyricism and distinctive flows. For Dawood, a rap verse is not filler between hooks — it is the whole point. His writing expresses his own perspective: where he comes from, what he sees around him, and where he believes Kashmiri hip-hop can go. That honesty is what separates an artist from an imitator, and it is the quality listeners notice first in his music.
"DM" — Out Now on The Imaginary Records
Dawood's single "DM" was released on 16 October 2026 on The Imaginary Records, and it carries a small piece of label history with it: it was the first release on TIR's own smartlink system, live at listen.theimaginaryrecords.in/dm — one page with the song on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Gaana. For an independent artist from Bandipora, that is what the new era of distribution looks like: no gatekeepers, just the music, everywhere, from day one.
The Mission: Kashmiri Rap to the World
Dawood Musicxx aims to bring a fresh perspective to Kashmiri hip-hop while contributing to its growth and recognition beyond the region. Through his music, he aspires to help Kashmiri rap reach a wider audience and establish a stronger presence on the broader hip-hop scene — proof that a powerful voice can come from anywhere, including a small town in the mountains of Kashmir.
Quick Facts
- Artist name: Dawood Musicxx
- Real name: Dawood Farooq
- Born: 17 November 2007
- From: Bandipora, Jammu & Kashmir, India
- Genres: Hip-Hop — Boom Bap, Trap, Drill
- Known for: Lyricism, distinctive flows, versatility across rap subgenres
- Label: The Imaginary Records
- Latest release: "DM" (single, 2026)
Dawood Musicxx is one to watch — a young artist with old-school respect for the craft and a clear mission for where Kashmiri hip-hop goes next. Follow his journey here on The Imaginary Records.
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