YouTube silent as Indian rapper scores record video views

Indian rapper Badshah's video, Paagal, was seen 75 million times in one day on YouTube last month.
Indian rapper Badshah's video, Paagal, was seen 75 million times in one day on YouTube last month. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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WASHINGTON • Within 24 hours of posting his video, Paagal, to YouTube, Indian rapper Badshah broke a record even American pop star Taylor Swift could not touch.

The clip, a dancehall romp, was seen 75 million times in one day last month, eclipsing a mark set by South Korean boy band BTS in April. Then a funny thing happened - YouTube declined to credit the Sony Music artist.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 01, 2019, with the headline YouTube silent as Indian rapper scores record video views. Subscribe