Reble’s Shillong is all about places you won’t find on Google

Meghalaya is shown as an unmissable backdrop in Reble’s new music video ‘Praying Mantis’, where stunts, friends, and familiar hangouts all make an appearance as the rapper gives us fiery bars about how she’s not one to be messed with.

The artist has scored Bollywood bangers like ‘Aari Aari’ and ‘Run Down the City – Monica’ from the Dhurandhar movies and raged to nu-metal territories on ‘New Riot’ in the past year. Fresh off a performance at BUDX NBA House 2026 in New Delhi this month, where she performed the brooding ‘Praying Mantis’, Reble owns her identity as a rapper from the northeast while telling us there are more layers.

Beyond living root bridges, misty hills, and the tag of India’s rock capital, the Shillong that Reble knows is about hanging out in studios as a teenager, performing across the northeast and recharging in markets and food spots. For all her rising fame, she’ll tell you that the best thing about Shillong is still a guy in a market alley who makes pork leg soup and always has a line out the door. 

There is a lot she would show to a first-timer in Meghalaya (scroll below for her recommendations), and even more she would hope the world can take from her state: “I want people to witness our matrilineal culture—to see how strong the women here are. And at the same time, I still believe that more women’s representation is needed in a matrilineal state. I hope to see more females running the state and the country. This place will always be a part of me.”

The neighbourhood she actually grew up in

“Shillong during my teenage years was definitely a roller coaster. I was a great student until I got lazy and didn’t want to go to school—I was studying in St Anthony’s and didn’t quite like the ecosystem. On mornings I skipped, I’d sulk in bed and, if I had enough money, head over to Jeves’ Food Corner in Laitumkhrah. It was cheap and affordable, which mattered.”

The venue that made Shillong’s hip-hop scene real

“Mellow Mood Café was a thing—and I love the momos there. It isn’t quite as happening anymore, but back then they hosted some great events. For music curation that still holds up, the Evening Club is the place. And special mention to TYC [The Yeastern Civilization] for more electronic acts.”

The momo spot tourists walk past without knowing

“Beat House momos. That’s it.”

The must-visit restaurant that doesn’t exist on the internet 

“The dish that people seriously sleep on is our traditional tea snacks—nobody talks about them enough. But if I’m taking a friend from outside the northeast somewhere to really show them what the food is about, I’m taking them to a small shop in Laitmukhrah market. It probably isn’t listed anywhere online. You have to go through the alley that leads to the market, and you’ll find a guy with a shop, limited seats, always packed. He sells the most amazing meatball soup and pork leg soup—just incredible things. I loved it every time.”

The local music scene’s mainstay studio

“Mix and Flow Studios. The owner, Dmon, has been a pioneer in the Shillong hip hop scene. He was one of the people who helped me earlier in my career, and you’ve got to give the man his flowers. There’s a cafe right next to his studio where all the youngsters hang out— it’s such a beautiful spot. The food is decent too.”

What to carry home

“From Police Bazar, pick up jute items or things made from bamboo. They’re the kind of souvenirs that are actually useful, genuinely local, and won’t fall apart in your suitcase.”

The less-photographed corner that means something

“Syntu Ksiar [in Jowai]—everyone needs to go there. Try the jadoh and local chicken from the shops around the area. It’s a beautiful place, and it has a tragic folklore associated with it that gives it a weight that stays with you.”

The best time to visit Meghalaya 

“Post-September through winter is when everything happens—the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, Hills Festival, winter fest, literary fest. Shillong just transforms. That’s when you want to be in the city.”