Introduction

Few songs in the history of Indian hip-hop carry as much mystery as Volume 1. Despite its immense popularity, no one officially claims ownership of the track—not even the artists who supposedly created it. This has led to speculation, legal concerns, and a unique position for the song in India’s rap culture.

What is 'Volume 1'?

Released unofficially, Volume 1 is widely believed to be the work of Yo Yo Honey Singh and Badshah, two of India’s most influential rappers. It features an explicit, raw style that was characteristic of their early days with Mafia Mundeer, the now-disbanded hip-hop collective.

However, the song was never officially released under their names, and both artists have repeatedly denied any involvement in its creation.

The Denial: Why Honey Singh and Badshah Distanced Themselves

Despite being a fan-favorite and a viral underground track, both Honey Singh and Badshah have consistently denied owning 'Volume 1' in interviews and public statements. Even in Honey Singh’s recent documentary, 'Famous', he refused to acknowledge the song.

Possible Reasons for Their Denial

1. Legal & Social Backlash

   • The track contains vulgar and controversial lyrics, which could lead to legal consequences.

   • In 2012, Honey Singh faced a legal complaint over a song called Main Hoon, which he did not even record. The controversy led to his concerts being canceled, protests in Punjab and Chandigarh, and public outrage.

   • Given this past experience, Honey Singh and Badshah might have avoided a similar controversy by distancing themselves from Volume 1.

2. Unofficial Release & Copyright Issues

   • The track was never officially dropped by any label, making it difficult to prove who actually owns it.

   • Over the years, third-party YouTube channels and underground platforms have kept the song alive, but without proper ownership, monetization remains a grey area.

3. Strategic Career Moves

   • As both artists moved towards commercial success, they embraced a more mainstream, Bollywood-friendly sound.

   • Associating with an explicit, underground track like Volume 1 could have harmed their brand image.

The Legacy of 'Volume 1'

Despite being an orphaned track, Volume 1 has lived on in Indian hip-hop culture:

• TVF & Raftaar created a song called 'Cute Volume 1', reusing the same beat and composition without facing any copyright issues.

• Underground artists have sampled and remixed it without any takedowns.

• Fans still debate over its origins and speculate about whether it was a Mafia Mundeer song gone rogue.

Could 'Volume 1' Ever Be Officially Claimed?

As of 2025, proving the authenticity of 'Volume 1' as a Honey Singh-Badshah song is nearly impossible. With AI-generated voices and deepfake technology, anyone could recreate their style and claim it as an original track.

However, if either Honey Singh or Badshah publicly accepted ownership, the song could:

• Become a mainstream controversy.

• Lead to media backlash similar to recent social media scandals involving major Indian artists.

• Possibly revive their old Mafia Mundeer era, for better or worse.

Conclusion

Volume 1 remains a ghost track—a song everyone knows, but no one owns. Whether intentional or not, this mystery has only added to its legend. While mainstream Indian hip-hop continues to evolve, Volume 1 serves as a reminder of the genre's rebellious underground roots.

What do you think? Should Honey Singh and Badshah finally claim 'Volume 1' or keep it in the shadows? Let us know in the comments!

Share Your Thoughts Here

We invite you to leave your comments and contact details after reading our blog. Your feedback is valuable to us!