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Image source: StarsUnfolded

Musicians

Emiway Bantai (Rapper) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 4 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth13 November 1995

Age29 Years (as of 2024)

BirthplaceBengaluru, Karnataka, India

ProfessionSinger/Rapper, Dancer, Songwriter, Editor, Music Composer

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseSwaalina

FamilyMiddle-class orthodox Muslim family with roots in Karnataka

Emiway Bantai (Rapper) Biography

Bilal Shaikh, known professionally as Emiway Bantai, is an Indian rapper, songwriter and performer who rose from independent YouTube releases to mainstream

Early life and background
Bilal Shaikh was born on 13 November 1995 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, and later made Mumbai his hometown. Raised in a middle-class orthodox Muslim family with roots in Karnataka, he completed schooling at LHS, Mumbai and attended up to the 11th standard. As a teenager he planned to become a doctor, but his interests shifted toward music after he began listening to Eminem. That turn toward rap coincided with academic setbacks in 12th standard and a difficult period of depression.

Career
Shaikh adopted the stage name Emiway Bantai by combining elements of Eminem and Lil Wayne. He began recording and sharing music in the early 2010s, posting his first YouTube song “Glint Lock” (an English single featuring Minta) in 2013. He initially performed in English, but at his father’s suggestion began releasing Hindi-language rap, posting his first Hindi single “Aur Bantai” in 2014. That release brought him significant online attention and encouraged him to pursue rap professionally.

To support his musical ambitions he worked as a helper at the Hard Rock Cafe, earning money to invest in his music independently. Over time he honed his skills as a rapper, dancer, songwriter, editor and music composer, and he established his own studio—Bantai The Studio—to produce and record work.

Emiway’s profile rose through collaborations and high-profile releases. In 2016 he won the Radio City Freedom Award for his song “Aisa Kuch Shot Nai Hai.” A notable milestone came in 2017 when he teamed up with Raftaar on “#Sadak,” a collaboration that brought him wider recognition. He also appeared on the televised talent show India’s Got Talent prior to becoming widely known.

His connection to Bollywood developed in 2019 when director Zoya Akhtar included him in the film Gully Boy; Emiway performed the song “Asli Hip Hop” and also appeared on screen. Emiway’s catalogue includes both English and Hindi singles; his debut English single is listed as “Glint Lock” (2013) and his early Hindi single as “Aur Bantai” (2014).

Public profile
Emiway Bantai is recognized for a do-it-yourself approach to building a music career, producing and editing much of his own material and running an independent studio. He performs across hip-hop, rap, RnB and pop styles and cites influences in the global rap community. His public image blends street-oriented lyrical content with high-energy performance and dance.

Emiway has been involved in public musical disputes, most notably a back-and-forth with fellow rapper Raftaar in 2018 that produced several diss tracks from both artists. Such exchanges drew attention to rap culture in India and contributed to Emiway’s notoriety within the scene.

Personal life
Emiway’s listed personal details describe him as non-vegetarian, with hobbies that include playing football and dancing. Physically, he is reported to be approximately 170 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall and about 60 kg in weight, with dark brown eyes and black hair. Favourite artists and films named in his profile include Shah Rukh Khan, Ranveer Singh, Kajol, Alia Bhatt, and music acts such as Arijit Singh and Atif Aslam; he also lists Eminem, Tech N9ne, NF and Token among his favourite rappers.

Family and relationships
He is married to Swaalina, who is identified as a singer and actor. His father influenced his early decision to rap in Hindi and even appeared in one of his videos. Beyond that, his family background is described as middle-class and rooted in Karnataka.

Latest updates
By 2019 Emiway had expanded into film through his contribution to Gully Boy. He continues to produce music from his own studio and maintain an independent presence in the Indian hip-hop scene.

Career highlights and achievements
He moved from independent YouTube releases to mainstream visibility, earned a Radio City Freedom Award in 2016, collaborated with established artists such as Raftaar, and contributed both performance and a recorded track to the 2019 film Gully Boy.

Latest work
Asli Hip Hop (Gully Boy) — 2019
Aur Bantai — 2014
Glint Lock (ft. Minta) — 2013

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Emiway Bantai (Rapper), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

Asli Hip Hop (Gully Boy)

Performed and appeared in Zoya Akhtar’s 2019 film Gully Boy

2019
Aur Bantai

Early Hindi single that gained significant attention

2014
Glint Lock (ft. Minta)

First YouTube single released in English

2013
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Career Highlights

  1. Posted first YouTube single in 2013
  2. Released breakthrough Hindi single in 2014
  3. Won Radio City Freedom Award in 2016
  4. Collaborated with Raftaar on “#Sadak” in 2017
  5. Performed and appeared in Gully Boy (2019)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Emiway Bantai (Rapper) born?

Emiway Bantai (Rapper) was born on 13 November 1995.

What is Emiway Bantai (Rapper) known for?

Emiway Bantai (Rapper) is known for singer/Rapper, Dancer, Songwriter, Editor, Music Composer.

What is Emiway Bantai (Rapper)’s marital status?

Emiway Bantai (Rapper)'s marital status is listed as Married.

Who is Emiway Bantai (Rapper) married to?

Emiway Bantai (Rapper) is publicly listed as married to Swaalina.