As a child, my mom would sit me down next to her harmonium and teach me Indian Classical scales. There was something special about those sounds. The intonation, the rhythm at which we sang, was unlike the pop music I would listen to in my free time. While I idolized Hannah Montana, I also idolised my mother’s beautiful voice. 

Today, artists who grew up just like me can help me satisfy my craving for both. These Desi-origin RnB artists use Indian Classical elements to elevate their music to the next level, paying homage while fulfilling their RnB-pop princess dreams.  

Shreea Kaul

Born in India and raised in the United States, RnB artist Shreea Kaul’s musical influences range from Shreya Ghoshal to Etta James. Her music perfectly amalgamates her background, effortlessly blending classical Indian influences with a Western RnB pop sound. The singer explores topics that are often taboo in the South Asian community, fighting the stigma around women’s honest discussions of sex and relationships. Her unique sound has elevated her platform to over 200,000 Spotify monthly listeners and an avid following on Instagram. As she continues to grow, Kaul stated in an interview with Azeema Magazine that she hopes to bring Indian pop music to the global stage, as well as the likes of Latin and K-pop. 

Currently sitting at almost 8 million streams on Spotify, Kaul’s recent single ‘Tere Bina’ brings her closer to this goal. She flips between English and Hindi over an Indian classical-inspired beat and even breaks into a sequence seemingly inspired by 'konnakol' or 'bol' – the act of vocally keeping tala in classical Indian music – in the post-chorus. The rest of Kaul’s discography similarly takes inspiration from her roots, creating a fusion blend that appeals to Indian and global audiences alike.

Gayathri Krishnan

Vocally trained in Carnatic music, Gayathri Krishnan’s music integrates her South Indian heritage with a rich RnB-pop sound. The incorporation of the Carnatic elements comes naturally to the singer-songwriter, finding its way into her music through her vocal riffs and technique. The Californian singer embraces her roots while staying true to her RnB-pop aspirations, resulting in a fresh fusion sound without coming across as pandering or trying too hard. 

Her South Indian influence is most obvious in ‘After Hours,’ a soulful track from her debut EP ‘Create to Express.’ Krishnan is a vocal powerhouse, effortlessly moving up and down complex melodies, accompanied by a classic pop beat and a sitar. As a result, for Krishnan, Indian fusion is not a limiting genre but an endless pool of opportunity.

Akshara

Known for her Desi covers and adorable videos sharing music with her grandmother, Akshara is an up-and-coming diasporic artist. She describes herself as “genre non-conforming,” an apt description for the distinctive blend of Indian, RnB, and at times, hyperpop elements in her music. She carries her mother’s classical Indian singing aspirations into her own work, bringing the two worlds together through her art.

Akshara’s most streamed song ‘Eyes,’ is a beautiful interpolation of ‘Kannazhaga,’ a Tamil song from the film ‘3.’ She flips between ‘Kannazhaga’s’ chorus and original English verses, playing with vocal effects and tempo to pay homage while creating a song that is entirely her own. While her other songs also share similar Desi influences, no two works sound alike. Her experimentation with genre, form, and interpolation lead us to an impressively distinct discography for an artist so young in her craft. 

Maharani

You may know Dutch artist Maharani for her famous ‘Tamixes.’ The Tamilian-origin singer’s Tamil remakes of globally viral songs like ‘Nwantiti,’ ‘Under the Influence,’ and Doja Cat’s ‘Streets’ are among her most played tracks on Spotify, adding up to over 1.25 million streams. However, her original music is what truly sets her apart from her contemporaries. Maharani intermixes English, Tamil, Hindi, and Dutch in her music, using her multicultural background as a musical tool. Her innovative songwriting and production techniques caught the eye of famous producer Timbaland, who called her “ground-breaking for her culture.”

In her latest single ‘Iru Nenjil,’ Maharani layers her multilingual lyrics and Carnatic ragas over a trap beat. The result is a sonically transcendent ode to healing, made special by Maharani’s tribute to her culture. 

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