Stories of Artists from Emerging Markets and rising music cultures

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Artist Sessions

A collection of 13 posts

Artist Session #15 - Musa's (IND) Journey Through Love, Loss, and Kashmir

Artist Sessions

Artist Session #15 - Musa's (IND) Journey Through Love, Loss, and Kashmir

We kicked things off by talking about what he calls his "loverboy" era, starting with ‘Jaane Jaana’ and how that song marked a turning point for him creatively.

Artist Session #14: Echoes From Palestine - Bashar Murad on Music, Resistance, and Identity

Artist Session #14: Echoes From Palestine - Bashar Murad on Music, Resistance, and Identity

Bashar Murad is a Palestinian Pop artist, known for his music that challenges norms, embraces diversity and explores the Palestinian experience from a unique lens.

ARTIST SESSION #13: Arjuna Harjai’s journey from Bollywood to independent and his One Minute Composer Series

Artist Sessions Featured

ARTIST SESSION #13: Arjuna Harjai’s journey from Bollywood to independent and his One Minute Composer Series

Since Arjuna's return, he has started a series on his YouTube vlog channel and Instagram called “One Minute Composer,” which has been the origin of many of his new singles, including Mangoge Na and Winter Ayun Waliye. Both featured on the Top 50 Viral charts on Spotify in Pakistan and India

Artist Session #12: GoodMostlyBad talks about musical roots, access, and finding power through sound

Artist Sessions

Artist Session #12: GoodMostlyBad talks about musical roots, access, and finding power through sound

GoodMostlyBad, London-based Mehar Bedi’s musical alias remains determined to carve out space and challenge societal norms through her unapologetic brand of electronic music.

Artist Session #11: Talal Qureshi on steering the future of Pakistani music and cross-border collaborations

Artist Session #11: Talal Qureshi on steering the future of Pakistani music and cross-border collaborations

Talal Qureshi's journey into the world of music is as unconventional as it is captivating. His trajectory is a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance.

Artist Session #10: Sheherazaad (USA) on crafting ethereal soundscapes and reclaiming cultural narratives

Artist Session #10: Sheherazaad (USA) on crafting ethereal soundscapes and reclaiming cultural narratives

Her debut album ‘Qasr’ explores themes of home, displacement, her mother tongue, and imagined homelands as a second-generation immigrant in North America.

ARTIST SESSION #07: Lapgan’s (USA) Musical Journey in Creating Cultural Sounds with a Fresh Spin

Artist Sessions

ARTIST SESSION #07: Lapgan’s (USA) Musical Journey in Creating Cultural Sounds with a Fresh Spin

Lapgan is the backward-spelled moniker of Gaurav Nagpal. My neuro-divergent self took some time to figure that one out, but what resonated instantly was the first track of his I accidentally came across on Spotify. When I came across his second beat tape, ‘Duniya Kya Hai’, I instantly reflected on

Artist Session #06 - Zequenx (India) on Paving the Way for Inclusivity and Innovation in the Indian Electronic Scene

Artist Sessions

Artist Session #06 - Zequenx (India) on Paving the Way for Inclusivity and Innovation in the Indian Electronic Scene

Zequenx has been a part of some path-breaking communities and collectives which prioritise making space for women and queer artists and a shared love for electronic music and ‘The Rave’.

Artist Session #05 - Molotof (EGYPT) delves into the Roots of Music, Mahraganat, and the importance of Collaborations

Artist Sessions Featured

Artist Session #05 - Molotof (EGYPT) delves into the Roots of Music, Mahraganat, and the importance of Collaborations

Mahraganat is one of those music scenes I have been paying attention to, thanks to my friends at PopArabia. As I indulged in the new age of the Egyptian sound, Molotof emerged as my clear favourite, truly a gem within the Mehraganat scene. Having heard glowing praises from friends and

Artist session #04: Mali (IND) - Exploring Uncharted Melodies and ExpandingComfort Boundaries to Redefine Her Musical Boundaries

Artist Sessions

Artist session #04: Mali (IND) - Exploring Uncharted Melodies and ExpandingComfort Boundaries to Redefine Her Musical Boundaries

Mali, also known as Maalavika Manoj, is a singer-songwriter from Mumbai, India. Her music uniquely blends classic pop influences with a contemporary twist.

Artist Session: Vinayak^a (India): Preserving the Art of Music with the Pursuit of Crafting One Great Song

Artist Sessions

Artist Session: Vinayak^a (India): Preserving the Art of Music with the Pursuit of Crafting One Great Song

I was introduced to the world of dance music during my early twenties in Delhi, where I first discovered Vinayak^a many years ago. What set Vinayak^a apart was his exceptional skills in crafting soundscapes that had the power to transport you to entirely different realms. Recently, his name

Artist Session #02 - Lungelo Manzi (South Africa): Adulting Anonymous (or The Makings Of Manzi)

Artist Session #02 - Lungelo Manzi (South Africa): Adulting Anonymous (or The Makings Of Manzi)

On Adulting Anonymous, Lungelo Manzi makes a gripping attempt at that determination through a series of self-assessments that ask the listener to make their own considerations simultaneously.

Artist Session #01 - Sickflip (India): An Indian beat to the African Dance Music sound

Artist Sessions

Artist Session #01 - Sickflip (India): An Indian beat to the African Dance Music sound

Sickflip is a Mumbai-based DJ and producer who played a significant role in the exponential popularity of Afrohouse, Amapiano and Gqom in India.