The launch of Bohemia's second album Pesa Nasha Pyar (2006), whose tracks such as "Kali Denali", "Kurti" and "Sahara" became big hits, there was a new-found interest in desi languages during the early 2000s.

[1][2] Even though there were several occasional hits during this period, the desi hip hop scene remained limited largely to the underground, with a very niche loyal audience.

[6] Desi hip hop has crossed paths with Western hip-hop multiple times, notably when musicians from both sides of the world collaborate.

[11] In 2016, famous Indian rapper Badshah worked with dancehall musician Sean Paul in a song called "Move Your Body" with DJ Shadow Dubai.

[20] In the same year in November, KR$NA was featured along with A-F-R-O, Joell Ortiz, Bizzy Bone, Tech N9ne and Twista, on the song "Overdrive", by Hi-Rez.

In 2022, Rapper Badshah announced that he's collaborating with Colombian singer J Balvin and Puerto Rican record producer Tainy in a song called Voodoo.