India’s diversity and vastness led to the creation of several genres of music. From classical to hip-hop music, our Indian music evolved through several millennia across the subcontinent. However, independent music in India was too unorganized in the 2000s to beat the American pop scene and top the charts.
Remember the Indie pop musicians in the 2000s like Shaan, Lucky Ali, Vishal Dadlani, Adnan Sami, and Sadu, whose music was loved across generations in India? However, these Indian musicians never achieved the level of global fame enjoyed by other western artists.
While the West saw a rapid rise in independent music and live musical performances, only a few in India could enjoy this culture. Fests, music festivals, live concerts, and gigs were too ‘westernized’ for the Indian audience.
However, a music journalist, Amit Gurbaxani, noticed the shift in the independent musical scene in the last decade. With 2013’s Red Bull Rooftop Bus Show, emerged the hip-hop scene in Mumbai, with rappers leveling up in the last ten years. Names like Rafftar, Divine, Badshah, Yo Yo Honey Singh, and Emiway Bantai are showing their take on the hip-hop genre in India.
Now fans want to experience the live music performance by their favorites instead of quoting, ‘Who would pay to listen to loud music at live concerts?’ Now, Indian independent musicians can make a living out of music without the help of large recording companies.
Musicians are opting out of old marketing and distributing channels like radio, television, and prints. Now, social media and online streaming platforms are the gatekeepers of music. With increasing musical festivals like Independent Rock Festival, Sunburn, Sula Fest, Ziro Festival, NH7 Weekender, Lollapalooza, and VH1 Supersonic online, people are flocking to experience live music more than ever.
Ten years ago, you wouldn’t have imagined this was possible for independent musicians in India. Through social media, you get exposure to new music, which helps you stream different artists’ music anytime and anywhere.
All these made it possible for Indian musicians to top global playlists in these few years. People are more open to trying different genres of music today than ever before because music is without any borders. Singers like Lucky Ali and Usha Uthup have won hearts of the Indian diaspora in the last decades, and now they are winning hearts globally.
So, the Indian musical landscape did change in the past decade, and the results are showing on playlists.
