Fitting Myself Into A Niche Creative Community

Carving My Path as an Independent Artist in India

Being an independent artist in a country with over 1.4 billion people is both a blessing

and a battle. Choosing music as a profession in India comes with high risk — but also

immense possibility. The competition is intense, but India’s global music industry is

expected to reach ₹36 billion by 2026. As the second-largest streaming market after the

US, India is changing — but the shift is slow, impacted by evolving listener habits and

the rise of paid subscriptions.

I began my journey as a rapper. The underground scene attracted me — raw,

expressive, unapologetic. In 2017, a close friend introduced me to Seedhe Maut, and

that opened the door to a world that included artists like Prabhdeep, Raftaar, Talha

Anjum, and others in the thriving Hindi rap scene. I started writing and rapping

independently. Creating content and finding similar artists wasn’t the challenge — it was

getting people to listen, engage, and pay.

I soon realized that India, while slowly opening up to rap, still gravitates toward more

commercial, Bollywood-style sounds. So I adapted. I began making music with broader

appeal — melodic, emotionally driven songs with lyrical depth. It wasn’t selling out; it

was growing up. I blended different styles, mixing electronic influences with traditional

sounds and experimenting with genres to find a unique voice.

Working with artists like Divine, Emiway, and MC Stan helped me expand my creative

range and understand the cultural nuances that make Indian rap stand out.

Collaborating with producers and musicians also gave me insight into music production

and how to layer sounds effectively.

In 2022, I met a producer during a studio session who became a mentor. We’d spend

hours discussing music theory, ragas, talas, mythology, and what sells. That relationship

shaped my understanding of music as both an art and business. It taught me how to

sing better, write smarter, and create more consciously.

Today, artists appreciate my sound and vision, but reaching an audience is slow. Still, I

believe one hit song in India can change everything. Consistency is key, and I’m

learning how to build my fanbase gradually.

My advice for any emerging artist: attend gigs, perform at open mics, and collaborate.

That’s how you’ll find your people. And most importantly, practice like it’s worship. When

you devote yourself, you’ll eventually find your voice — and your artistic identity.