Emerging Indian artists we’d bet our money on

These are among India's next big music sensations.

02 August, 2024
Emerging Indian artists we’d bet our money on

Be it the thumping beats that invigorate your Monday mornings or the soothing tunes that help you unwind after a long day, music is a constant in our lives. The Spotify widget on our phones stays with us like a steady companion through all our highs and lows. From switching through artist profiles to replaying our favourite tracks, music can easily transform ordinary moments into personal concerts. Speaking of concerts, do you remember the last time you and your friend lost your voice singing (read as: screaming) your favourite song in that crowd? That’s the thing about music, everything from the lyrics to the rhythm resonates with us in a way we cannot possibly explain. 

Songwriters have found a way to create music that resonates deeply with the audience. Artists such as Arijit Singh, Anuv Jain, Ap Dhillon, and Armaan Malik have carved out unique styles and heartfelt lyrics that see their songs on constant replay in cars, clubs, and restaurants. Their established presence has set the stage for a new wave of Indian artists that are set to dominate all existing audio streaming platforms. We’ve compiled a list of up-and-coming talents that you should watch out for.

Rashmeet Kaur 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by K A U R A (@rashmeetkaur)

Rashmeet Kaur specialises in pop, folk, and Bollywood, and is quite popular for her ability to blend modern beats with global music. She entered the industry in 2012 after being selected in the Zee TV series Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. Her viral hit ‘Bajre Da Sitta,’ which conveys her authentic folk and modern music, is what brought her into the spotlight. She continues to make waves with more recognisable tracks like ‘Ish Nachawe’ from the 2023 Netflix film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.

Kaur has earned several accolades including the Bengali version of the Mirchi Music Award, which validated her hard work and dedication. She continues to set new standards in the music industry, bringing a fresh voice with a clear goal of being recognised as India’s most promising musical talent.

KhoslaRaghu

Emerging artists Rishabh and Sanchit combined modern beats with traditional Indian melodies, a dynamic approach that led them to perform on platforms like Wynk Studio, Radio 104 etc, furthering their musical journey. Their heartfelt music resonated with audiences earning them a whopping 5,00,227 Spotify listeners and 13,27K YouTube subscribers.

An important milestone in their musical career was when their song ‘Khwaab Adhoore’ was featured in the web series Faltu Engineers on Zee5. Their ability to blend contemporary sounds with traditional elements is what sets them apart in the music industry. They are constantly striving to make a significant impact in the music scene, pushing themselves to greater heights with each new song.

Vasu Raina

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Vasu Raina (@vasurainaa)

Vasu Raina is a singer, songwriter, and producer who blends folk and contemporary elements to create fresh new music. His unique approach involves drawing on self-discovery and experiences. With songs like ‘Tu’, ‘Ankho,’ and ‘Yahan,’ Raina continues to have a growing fan base in the country. 

Drawing inspiration from Urdu music, he recently released an album titled, Hayat, which means life. The album delivers a multi-genre experience and storytelling themes that captivated audiences, earning him a total of 45.8K listeners each month on Spotify. His versatile singing style, sentimental lyrics, and innovative production have redefined ordinary music making, which contributes to his growing popularity and influence on the industry.

Aditya Rikhari 

A rising star in the music scene, this Delhi-based artist stands out for his experimental music style. He began releasing his covers during the pandemic and hasn’t looked back since. What sets him apart is the Indie-pop genre and soulful romantic melodies, which caught the attention of famous labels like Universal Music and T Series. 

Since his debut in 2020, he has had notable releases such as ‘Tu Rehti Hai’, ‘Samjho Na’, and ‘Tinka’. However, it was his 2021 release ‘Faasle’, which brought him a whopping total of 20M views on YouTube. His combined efforts of expressive songwriting and innovative approach have made a key impact on the Hindi music industry, promising a thriving future for this upcoming artist.

Tanmaya Bhatnagar

Tanmaya Bhatnagar is another upcoming musician in the Indian music industry. She has made various precious appearances at events, Lollapalooza India 2023 and Rolling Stone India being the two pinnacles of her music career. She is known for writing songs in both English and Hindi, adding a diverse range of musical expressions to her work.

Her debut song, ‘Wherever I Go I’d Like To Be All I Need’,  reflect her storytelling prowess and emotional depth through the lyrics. She is a verified artist with over 50,832 monthly listeners on Spotify; her songs, ‘Kya, Tum Naraaz Ho’ and ‘Izhaar’ have deeply connected with audiences. Moreover, she has been listed among the top five female Indie artists by Spotify and has had the opportunity to collaborate with Sony Music’s sub-label Day One to release her music. She is the perfect example of the upcoming new artists in the country who will unquestionably give music a new direction to grow with their passion and authentic styles. 

Lead image credits: Pexels

Also read: Arjun Kanungo on his evolution as an artist and building a community through his music

Also read: Strike a chord: In conversation with Indian musical duo Lost Stories

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