MC Stan

MC Stan, born Altaf Sheikh, is an Indian rapper, singer and music producer from Pune, Maharashtra, part of the Desi hip hop scene that grew out of India's independent rap circuit in the late 2010s. Citing influences such as Eminem and 2Pac, he began releasing music in 2018, quickly drawing attention for his raw delivery, Marathi-Hindi-English mixed lyrics, and confrontational diss tracks aimed at established scene figures, most notably a prolonged rap feud with fellow rapper Emiway Bantai that became one of the most talked-about rivalries in Indian hip hop.

His 2020 debut album Tadipaar reflects on a period of legal trouble and jail time, weaving autobiographical detail into its lyrics and helping cement his image as an artist who raps directly from lived experience rather than adopted personas. Songs such as «Wata» and «Khuja Mat» spread his name well beyond hip hop circles, and his dark, moody production style and blunt, unfiltered lyricism became a signature within the genre.

MC Stan's profile expanded dramatically beyond music after he won the reality show Bigg Boss 16 in India, introducing him to a mainstream audience far larger than his existing fan base. He remains one of the most prominent names in contemporary Desi hip hop, known for building a career largely independent of major label backing and for cultivating a devoted, hardcore fan following.