Striking the Right Chord

Move over Bollywood music, for India has upped the ante when it comes to independent music producers. Be it indie, rap, pop, rock or electronic dance music, our choices are more liberated. Exposure to global music and our rich cultural heritage have given a whole new perspective to the contemporary music artists in India. We pick our favourite five and celebrate their ingenuity for the music special issue.

Divine

L’Officiel India DigitalRead L’Officiel India in the digital libraryEvery issue and every cover story, on TCG Media.Read now

Talking about rappers, the instant references used to be Kanye West or Jay Z, not anymore. Back home, Vivian Fernandes, popularly known by his stage name, Divine is the shining brightest in the world of Indian music. Often referred as the diamond in the dirt, Vivian, through his label Gully Gang, is an inspiration to young music lovers who dread to tread the road less travelled. He addresses real issues in Mumbai lingo in his raps to connect with the youth. Vivian’s popularity struck gold when veteran filmmaker, Zoya Akhtar made the blockbuster film, Gully Boy, known to be inspired by his journey and initial struggles.

Nucleya

Reforming the Indian electronic music scene in India, Nucleya a.k.a Udayan Sagar is the undisputed king of bass. He is by far the most experimental music producers of the country who blends Indian influences to create power packed compositions. Udayan started his musical journey in the 90’s with Bandish Projekt and then transitioned to become the most sought after DJs in India with his debut EP, Koocha Monster being a massive hit. With an inventive approach towards unique sound creation, Udayan is creating all the right noise to take Indian electronic dance music on the global map. He has performed at several international music festivals including, Glastonbury in UK, the Electron Festival in Switzerland, Electric Daisy Carnival in Mexico, and remains a major hit on the home turf as well.

Prateek Kuhad

One of the country’s leading singer-songwriters, Prateek Kuhad needs no introduction and lets his soulful renditions to speak for himself. His love for music did meet initial setbacks but that did not dampen his spirits in any way. It received the ultimate push when he moved to New York after high school. There he was exposed to the world of western music that guided him to finally take a leap of faith and pursue his passion. His debut EP, In Tokens and Charms was an instant hit and his recent album, cold/ mess struck gold. Prateek has been selling out auditoriums and amphitheatres worldwide with his live performances, ever since.

Hari & Sukhmani

The dynamic duo of Sukhmani Malik, a trained Hindustani classical vocalist from the Rampur Gharana, and Hari Singh, a producer and audio engineer bring out the best in music. The two combine eclecticism with a curiously contemporary take on traditional folk songs from the land of Punjab. Their sounds are a blend of folk music fused with ambient electronic. Hari and Sukhmani’s music resonates with their sincere and cultured touch. Sukhmani’s cultured voice coupled with Hari’s fine production skills makes them one of a kind act in the music scene today. They have been touring nationally and internationally since 2008. They plan to take Punjabi folk music from the yester years into the future, from New Delhi to New York City.

The Local Train

This four-member rock band moved leagues ahead by winning hearts and accolades with their original compositions and live performances, since their inception in 2008. Members, Paras Thakur, Raman Negi, Ramit Mehra and Sahil Sarin are considered the new age genre defining face of Hindi rock music of the country. They are extremely passionate, edgy and unique that defines the brand’s success. From touring the country to getting their single, Aaoge Tum Kabhi featured in the critically acclaimed film, Angry Indian Goddesses, they have surely come a long way.