Rapper Badshah has revealed that he initially hesitated to join the hip-hop reality show MTV Hustle as a judge, agreeing to come on board only after seeking fair contracts for artists and prize money substantial enough to transform a contestant’s life.
In a heartfelt social media post, Badshah recalled his first meeting with the show’s team and said his initial instinct was to decline the offer because of the difficult experiences his friends and the wider hip-hop community had faced in the past.
However, after hearing the team out, he recognised its commitment to creating a meaningful platform for young talent and decided to reconsider.
“I agreed, but not without a few conditions. No unfair contracts. And prize money that could actually change someone’s life. I still remember the silence in that room when I mentioned the amount,” he wrote on Instagram, alongside a series of photographs and a lengthy note reflecting on his journey with the show.
Explaining why he had pushed for better opportunities for contestants, Badshah said talent needed more than applause and required resources, opportunities and people willing to believe in it.
He also described how his relationship with the contestants evolved over time, with their fears becoming his concerns and their achievements bringing him happiness.
“Their fears became my worries. Their little victories became my happiness. I wanted to protect them from everything I could, because I knew how much they were already carrying on their shoulders,” he wrote.
Reflecting on his experience, the singer of Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai described Hustle as an unexpected opportunity that taught him about love, courage, dreams and himself.
Badshah also expressed uncertainty about returning to the judges’ chair next year, while making it clear that the contestants would remain close to his heart.
“I came here to judge a competition. I leave having learned so much about love, courage, dreams, and myself,” he said, signing off as the contestants’ judge, brother and “Bade Bhaiya”.
The grand finale of MTV Hustle Season 5: Apna Homeground concluded on October 11, marking the end of the latest season of the hip-hop competition.
FOLLOW NOW
