Want to Update Your Playlist? Here Is a List of Some up and Coming Indie Artists

Bored of listening to the small old songs, with the same storylines and same artists? Check out some new music by indie artists in India.

Independent music (also known as indie music or indie) is music created without the involvement of commercial record labels or their subsidiaries and may include a self-contained, do-it-yourself approach to recording and publishing.

Independent music is finally getting a long-overdue push from big players, even though it is typically stereotyped as a genre that operates on the outskirts of India's bigger music business. In recent years, the rise of streaming services, management organizations, and sleek visuals has given indie artists in the country a global boost, increasing their prospects of going stratospheric. 

According to recently disclosed Spotify insights, the F16s, for example, have more listeners in other regions of the world than in India. In 2019, former US President Barack Obama included Prateek Kuhad on his annual playlist of favorite songs.

Thanks to individual work or absorption into a larger collective rallying around their own, the laundry list of accomplishments by these unconventional artists becomes longer each year. Think "Divine", who was signed to Mass Appeal India and performed on "Jungli Sher" for The White Tiger's movie adaption earlier this year alongside American artists like Pusha T and Vince Staples.

In our cars or in our rooms, we always blast Bollywood remixes and Punjabi music at full volume. However, among all of this thrilling music, another genre is carving out its own niche in people's hearts.

Even though India is most recognized for its traditional Bollywood remixes and the contemporary hip-hop genre, the indie genre has made its way into the country. This is because the indie genre's popularity grew significantly in Western society, and its fan base in India grew significantly as well.

Some indie artists that are making great music and are in the limelight are:

Anuv Jain

Source: Google 

Anuv Jain is a singer, songwriter, and composer from the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. He debuted professionally in 2016 with the single Baarishein and has since recorded eight songs. After that, he had many hit songs like, ‘Mishri’, ‘Gul’,’ Maula’, ‘Alag Asmaan’. He wrote the song ‘Maula’ in memory of his father which resonated with a lot of people. He has gained popularity particularly,  amongst the youth of the country and people are loving this new voice!

Ritviz

Source: Google

Ritviz Srivastava is an Indian singer-songwriter, electronic musician, and record producer who is based in Pune, Maharashtra. He is well known for his song "Udd Gaye," which was published on A.I.B.'s official YouTube channel after he won the 2017 Bacardi House Party Sessions, an A.I.B. talent hunt competition.

Ritviz's song "Sun Toh" was recently used in Netflix India's Mismatched series. Ritviz was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for the year 2021. Ritviz was included as one of Grazia's Cool List 2021 digital covers.

Hanita Bhambri

Source: Google

Hanita Bhambri, a 23-year-old singer-songwriter, left the dream of "the good life" to pursue her passion for music. She began writing when she was 11 years old, only to discover that she lacked vocal ability. However, the voice in her brain was truthful, so she sang to and wrote. 

Until her look resembled a language. Her lyrics are about her melancholy musings on love and loneliness, which are sometimes inseparable. She wishes to connect with individuals who are as hopelessly confused and romantic about life as she is through her thoughts.

Adi

Source: Google

Adi, a Mumbai-bred hip-hop artist, used an unusual palette of sound influences over five songs on his 2020 EP PIGEONHOLED. With silky lyricism and dancey production, the singer combined his love for funk and soul as well as blues music. From the lively title track to the explosive "COP CAR," the upbeat album glides impressively. This year, look for his full-length first album.

Saachi

Source: Google 

With each new record, Mumbai pop musician Saachi has steadily improved as a songwriter. The musician returned last year with a fresh new offering titled "DO/DON'T," following a string of songs and her 2018 three-track EP Clarity. While the song is Saachi's most personal effort to date, the singer has more private material in the works, since she also works with other indie musicians.

Anoushka Maskey

Source: Google

When Mumbai/Sikkim singer-songwriter Anoushka Maskey debuted last year with her two EPs, Things I Saw in a Dream and C.E.A.S.E., as well as her enchanting single "September Embers," she not only wowed audiences with her melancholic and poignant songwriting but also with her delicate acoustic arrangements.

I hope this list introduces you to many great artists and you can update your playlist!

Written By- Kritika Sharma