Rappers use sign-language to make some noise

At Coldplay’s Mumbai concert earlier this year, Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpreters stood alongside the British band, translating the music in real time for the hearing-impaired audience . Even the band’s frontman Chris Martin used simple ISL signs to interpret a verse from Something just like this during the show, and welcomed a few visually-impaired fans on stage. While moments that prioritise accessibility remain rare, they are beginning to inspire change across the music industry. A growing number of Indian hip-hop artistes are now weaving ISL into their performances and videos, opening new ways to connect with audiences who have long been left out of the experience.

How Indian rappers are leading the way
In 2023, Indeep Bakshi released a track featuring ISL in the chorus, accompanied by a video in which a hearing-impaired artiste interpreted the lyrics alongside the rapper. In another case, Y-ASH 1HUNNED’s video featured a split-screen showing an interpreter mirroring the song’s rhythm and intensity, delivering each word in ISL. Besides these two, emerging and independent artistes like V-Town Chronicles and Enkore recently joined hands with Signing Hands Foundation for an initiative called The Right Sign to integrate sign language into their song videos. Mumbai-based Enkore shares that the feedback from the hearing-impaired community has been heartening but his focus was more on those with no hearing impairments. “I felt it was a really cool idea the moment I heard about it. For me, this was more about addressing the disconnect in society and how we are oblivious to it. I think change, in whatever small way, will begin by just introducing the language in everyday conversations and content."

Why accessibility matters
For decades, sound was looked at as the only way to experience music, resulting in the hearing-impaired community being restricted to the sidelines in music. But that’s changing. Music, especially rap, is more about expression, rhythm, movement, attitude, and a story. “When we talk about inclusivity, we forget that such an audience also exists. They love rhythm, performance, and storytelling, and sign language can convey the emotions, flow and punchlines effectively for the hearing-impaired audience to be part of this musical experience. That’s what true inclusivity looks like,” says Suvita Charudatta, an ISL interpreter and inclusion consultant.

Dismantling stereotypes
Hip-hop has long been associated with hand signs, but not all of them have positive connotations. The use of gang-style gestures has sometimes led to stigma, censorship, or misunderstanding. By introducing ISL into this visual vocabulary, artists are subverting those assumptions. Dr Ravi Narayan, a linguist and cultural researcher, explains, “ISL becomes a way to open doors, and also a way to clean up some of those old associations. It lets rappers use hand movements to show empathy and connection, instead of anything negative. For a young, hearing-impaired person watching this rap video is not just about understanding the words; it’s about feeling like they belong."

Done globally
From American rapper Denzel Curry performing alongside ASL interpreters at major festivals, to Beyoncé and Eminem including interpreters in their shows, performers across the world have been integrating sign language in their shows. Festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Glastonbury have featured sign language performers for years.


How to prioritise and integrate ISL in music

• Music labels and platforms must fund and prioritise accessible content creation.

• Training programs for interpreters who specialise in performance-based signing should be developed

• Educational tie-ups between music academies and Deaf schools can create inclusive music literacy programs.

• Streaming services can introduce ISL overlays or interpretation options in music videos, much like subtitles.

(As shared by Priya Sharma, a disability rights advocate)

Indian rap songs that use ISL
Vartalap by Spitfire, Shwapon by SlowCheeta, ft Dipannita Acharya, Mehfil-E-HipHop by Spitfire, Kaam Bhaari, Devil The Rhymer and SlowCheeta

Did you know?
Despite being widely used, advocacy and efforts to get ISL recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution are yet to bear fruit.

One of the most widely recognised figures in this space is Amber Galloway Gallego, a hearing ASL interpreter known for her expressive signwork at concerts, where she translates and performs the lyrics, often becoming a highlight of the show