MC Stan

Altaf Tadavi
MC Stan in 2023
Born
Altaf Tadavi

(1999-08-30) 30 August 1999 (age 27)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • singer
  • lyricist
  • music producer
  • composer
Years active2018–present
Known for
  • Bigg Boss 16 – Winner
  • Tadipaar (2020)
  • Insaan (2022)
  • "Haath Varthi" (2023)
Musical career
GenresHip hop, Desi hip hop, Trap music
LabelsHindi Records, T-Series, Independent

Altaf Tadavi (born 30 August 1999), known professionally as MC STAN (stylized as MC ST∆N), is an Indian rapper, lyricist, music producer, and composer who was the winner of Bigg Boss 16 in 2023. He is known for his work in the desi hip-hop and trap music scene.

Early life

Altaf Tadavi was born on 30 August 1999 in Pune, Maharashtra, India. He was raised in a low-income household and developed an interest in music during his adolescence. Initially influenced by qawwali, he later shifted his focus to rap and hip-hop, drawing inspiration from international rap artists as well as the emerging Indian hip-hop scene. He modeled his stage name as a tribute to the song "Stan" by American rapper Eminem.

Career

MC Stan began his music career in 2018 with the release of the track "Wata", which attracted attention for its lyrical content and street-focused themes. His music incorporates Hindi, Marathi, and urban slang, and often addresses themes such as social issues and personal experiences. Stan dissed fellow Mumbai rappers Emiway Bantai and Divine on the track "Samajh Meri Baat Ko", soon after which his YouTube channel was taken down. He also received attention for his diss track, "Khuja Mat", which was allegedly a response to Emiway's track "Samajh Mein Aaya Kya". Stan released the track, "Astaghfirullah" in 2019, which focused on "his struggle for a better life, and seeking God’s forgiveness for his wrongdoings".

Stan released his debut album, Tadipaar, in 2020, which offered a powerful narrative of his life in Tadiwala Road, delving into his daily struggles, poverty, gang affiliations, police brutality and his legal issue, when he was falsely implicated in an attempt to murder case.

In 2021, he also appeared on fellow rap duo Seedhe Maut's mixtape न, on the song "Nanchaku" which received widespread media attention for its prowess in lyricism and delivery.

Stan released his sophomore album, Insaan, in 2022, which was noted for its production style and introspective lyrics. The album featured only two guest appearances, from rappers Ikka and Raftaar. In 2022–2023, MC Stan participated in the sixteenth season of the reality television show Bigg Boss and was declared the winner.

On 16 March 2024, his official YouTube channel was hacked, leading to temporary disruption in his online presence. In the same year, he appeared on the albums Monopoly Moves by King, Ek Tha Raja by Badshah and Only Love Gets Reply by Ikka as a guest feature.

Since 2024, he has been teasing his upcoming album, titled Mehfeel, while dropping tracks like "Kider Manzil", "911 Porsche", "Meri Zindagi Rap Se Pan Deep Hai", and "Numb". He was featured in Rolling Stone India's first edition of the "Future of Music" list in 2024. In 2026, Stan appeared as a guest judge on the show, India's Got Latent.

International collaborations

In 2023, Stan appeared on a Times Square billboard in New York City as part of a promotional campaign for "Haath Varthi", a collaboration with American music producer KSHMR. The track was included in KSHMR's album Karam and received widespread attention online.

Film music

Stan has contributed to Hindi film soundtracks, including a rap segment for the 2024 film Baby John and the title track for Farrey in 2023.

Discography

Albums

Year Album Track Artist(s) Producer(s) References
2020 Tadipaar Hosh Mai Aa MC Stan
Ek Din Pyaar
307
Out Soon (Interlude)
Numberkari
Amin
Tadipaar
MC Stan Type Beat
2022 Insaan Insaan MC Stan
Gender
Fuckk love
Bitch
How to Hate MC Stan, Raftaar MC Stan
Basti Ka Hasti MC Stan
Kal Hai Mera Show
Maa Baap MC Stan, Ikka MC Stan
Regret MC Stan
One Day Uh Gonna Pay
Insaaniyat

Collaborations

Year Track Artist(s) Producer(s) Album References
2021 Nanchaku Seedhe Maut, MC Stan Calm न
2023 Haath Varthi MC Stan, KSHMR KSHMR Karam
2024 Drinks On Me Badshah, MC Stan zetra, LeKen Taylor Ek Tha Raja
F*CK WHAT THEY SAY King, MC Stan Riz Shain Monopoly Moves
Urvashi Ikka, MC Stan Sanjoy Only Love Gets Reply

Controversy

On 17 March 2023, a concert by MC Stan in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, was interrupted and subsequently cancelled following a protest by members of the Karni Sena. The group accused the rapper of promoting obscene content and using inappropriate language in his music.

The protest took place at a hotel in the Lasudia area, where demonstrators entered the stage after Stan had exited the venue. Law enforcement personnel used minor force to control the crowd. A representative from the Karni Sena stated that they had objected to the performance and demanded the artist leave the premises.

Accolades

AwardYearRecipient(s) and nominee(s)CategoryResultRef
TIMD Awards2024MC StanBest Artist Of The Year (Public’s Choice)Won

Notes

  1. ↑ TIMD Awards is an independent music award given by The Indian Music Diaries.

References

  1. ↑ "From starting as a qawwali singer to owning expensive accessories; Bigg Boss 16 winner Altaf shiekh's rags to riches story". The Times of India. 15 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  2. ↑ "एमसी स्टैन ने लिखकर डिलीट कर दी यह इंस्टा पोस्ट, जिन्होंने पढ़ा वो नहीं समझ पा रहे क्या है माजरा". Live Hindustan.
  3. ↑ ANI (17 November 2023). "MC Stan, Ikka drop new party anthem 'Urvashi'". ThePrint. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  4. 1 2 Fulkar, Spandan (30 August 2024). "MC Stan Turns 24: Five Tracks That Took Him from the Streets to Stardom". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  5. 1 2 "MC Stan". Platform Magazine. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  6. ↑ Kappal, Bhanuj (28 March 2024). "The Real MC Stan: "I came from the bottom, and I saw how people treat you when you're down. But now I have fame and money, and nobody messes with me anymore"". GQ India. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Basu, Sreetama (13 February 2023). "All you need to know about 'Bigg Boss 16' winner, MC Stan". www.lifestyleasia.com. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Saeed, Umaima (13 February 2023). "MC Stan: Jewellery worth crores, expensive clothes, luxury cars, net worth and more. Take a look at the rapper's lavish lifestyle". GQ India. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  9. 1 2 Kappal, Bhanuj (28 March 2024). "The Real MC Stan: "I came from the bottom, and I saw how people treat you when you're down. But now I have fame and money, and nobody messes with me anymore"". GQ India. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  10. ↑ "MC Stan wins Bigg Boss: Indian rap royalty finds new home on reality TV". 16 February 2023. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  11. ↑ "How 'Bigg Boss 16' Winner MC Stan Connected With Rap Music". Outlook India. 18 March 2023. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "MC STΔN is on an Emo mission with 'Broke is a Joke'". liftedasia.com. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  13. 1 2 Fulkar, Spandan (30 August 2024). "MC Stan Turns 24: Five Tracks That Took Him from the Streets to Stardom". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  14. ↑ Roy, U (5 February 2021). "New school heavy-hitter MC Stan breaks down his debut audiovisual album Tadipaar". Indulgexpress. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  15. ↑ "MC Stan wins Bigg Boss: Indian rap royalty finds new home on reality TV". 16 February 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2026.
  16. 1 2 "Seedhe Maut & MC Stan Collaborate On New Single 'Nanchaku'". Wild City. 23 July 2021. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  17. ↑ Tagat, Anurag (10 June 2024). "MC Stan's New Song '911 Porsche' Is a Night Out on The Town". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  18. ↑ "From Elvish Yadav to MC Stan: The 'undeserving' Bigg Boss winners". India Today. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  19. ↑ "MC Stan's YouTube channel gets hacked, rapper tells fans 'sabr karo thoda'". The Indian Express. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  20. 1 2 Ghadashi, Shweta (3 August 2024). "MC Stan teamed up with fellow rapper King to release a new track titled "F*ck What They Say"". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  21. 1 2 Tagat, Anurag (5 June 2024). "Ikka's Long-Awaited 'Only Love Gets Reply' Album Is Out Now". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
  22. 1 2 Ramachandran, Naman (21 March 2024). "Indian Rapper Badshah on New Album 'Ek Tha Raja,' Working With Shah Rukh Khan, Arijit Singh: 'I'm Like This Cousin Who Starts the Party' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
  23. ↑ Trivedi, Aaryaman (18 December 2023). "MC Stan Teases New Album". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 11 August 2026.
  24. ↑ Tagat, Anurag (26 July 2024). "MC Stan Drops Soul-Searching New Single 'Kider Manzil' from 'Mehfeel' Album". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  25. ↑ Tagat, Anurag (3 March 2024). "MC Stan Previews New Album 'Mehfeel' with Single 'Meri Zindagi Rap Se Pan Deep Hai'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  26. ↑ "Future of Music 2024". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  27. ↑ Mazumdar, Shreyanka (26 October 2026). "Samay Raina Gives India's Got Latent Contestant Minus 10 For Hinting At Cheating On Wife, MC Stan Gives Zero". News18. India: News18. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
  28. 1 2 "Rapper MC Stan features on Billboards in United States; 'Indian hip-hop is rising'". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  29. ↑ Mary, S. B. Vijaya (7 August 2023). "KSHMR collaborates with Seedhe Maut and Karan Kanchan for his latest hip-hop heist track 'Bhussi'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  30. ↑ Tagat, Anurag (26 December 2024). "'Baby John' Features MC Stan's Rap During Salman Khan's Cameo". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  31. ↑ "MC Stan: I don't understand why Bollywood songs have to sound so commercial". Hindustan Times. 28 November 2023. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  32. ↑ Tagat, Anurag (21 January 2021). "MC Stan Talks Debut Album 'Tadipaar' and New Direction". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  33. ↑ Tagat, Anurag (18 February 2022). "MC Stan Drops Moody New Album 'Insaan'". Rolling Stone India. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  34. ↑ PTI (18 March 2023). "Karni Sena disrupts rapper MC Stan's Indore show over 'foul language'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
  35. ↑ "Rapper MC Stan's Indore Show Halted Midway After Karni Sena Protest". The Wire. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  36. ↑ "TIMD Awards | The Indian Music Diaries". Archived from the original on 13 November 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
  37. ↑ Vasanth, Kusumitha (22 February 2024). "TIMD Awards Through The Years: A Recap of All The Winners". Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2026.