On World Music Day, singer-rapper King revisits the journey that shaped him into one of India’s most popular contemporary voices. He believes that music came into his life organically and that success isn’t measured through numbers alone but through the emotional connections his songs create.
King emphasizes the true power of a song lies in its ability to make people feel something, regardless of language or genre. He cites his own musical influences, including Mohammed Rafi, Kishore da, and Talat Mahmood sahab, as well as artists like Akon, Lil Wayne, and Elvis Presley.
The singer reflects on the magic of music being most palpable during live concerts, where he sees people connect with the music and forget about their worries for a few hours. He believes that music and live concerts can be therapeutic, allowing people to escape, heal, and simply be present.
King shares his creative process, emphasizing flexibility over routine. He writes while travelling and can sit at one place or write alone, taking breaks when needed. He concludes that good music resists formula and its authenticity lies in emotional connection rather than structure or trend.
In a rapid fire session, King expresses his preference for authenticity over trends, solo tracks over collaborations, and performing live over streaming platforms. He also shares his admiration for artists like Elvis Presley, Drake, and A.R. Rahman, and cites Kishore Da as his favorite singer.