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When it comes to the experimentative and exploratory spaces of the creative world, there are predominantly white and very rarely do artists of colour get the due that they deserve. When it comes to diasporic communities, they have for generations been paving their own path in these rather difficult to break into territories. All while exploring their cultural identities that lie at the cusp of two very distinct cultures.
Their art and music have often been a way of building a community, of belonging, and of having a cathartic outlet for the myriad experiences and complexity of the South Asian diasporic experience.
Now a new generation of diasporic youth is championing their desi diasporic identities and exploring the breadth of South Asian creativity with their own creative expressions. Celebrating the best of South Asian artistry, we have curated a list of musicians from the South Asian Diaspora that are on our playlist and you should be listening to as well.
Born in Colombo, the British-Sri Lankan musician Arjun Coomaraswamy, better known by his stage name Arjun, is a Punjabi singer who has managed to garner a huge following thanks to his stint in both ‘Kolaveri di’ and ‘Suit.’
The singer’s strength perhaps lies in his ability to use contemporary western and eastern sounds while seamlessly combining them with RnB and South Asian music. His groovy tracks have made him quite popular among Asian youth across the world and he is one to checkout.
Listen to his music here.
Shuffling between Colombo, Sydney and Brooklyn - producer, vocalist, and harpist ELSZ is a talent like no other. Their music oscillates between soulful avant-pop & experimental RnB; setting them apart as an artist who is explorative, experimental, daring, and dynamic.
Their song ‘Take Me To The Sun’ offers a whimsical and dreamy setting. Their soft and mellow vocals are a reflection of the narrative poetry in their lyricism, along with their ability to unfold emotions and universal themes with ease.
Islamabad dweller Pakistani-Canadian artist Mikki Murshed dons many hats, be it as a rapper, a producer or a singer-songwriter. His true genius lies in making catchy and danceable beats along with his knack for hard-hitting lyrics. Having dark undertones to his lyricism and the ability to offer vivid imagery, he is able to thematically explore issues like addiction, heartbreak, pain, and injustice all the while emphasizing the hope that we are stronger than our demons and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Listen to his music here.
Naveeni Athanasious Philip who goes by the moniker Navz47 is a Sri Lanka-born, Canada-raised rapper, singer and songwriter who has created waves with her distinct voice and groovy persona that intersects Tamil and western culture. Pattasu was one of the first few tracks from Navz that shot her to fame amongst the Tamil community that was still reeling under the creative prowess of Tamil hip-hop contemporaries such as hip-hop Tamizha and more. The music video ushered in a refreshing new facet of the genre in the Tamil language that had so seldom held a space for female artists undertaking powerful and bold roles. As a Tamil voice representing the diaspora in the global arena, with a moving story to share, she is one of the freshest, most exciting voices to emerge in the Tamil hip-hop space in recent times.
Performing under the moniker Osama Com Laude (aka OCL), Orlando-based Pakistani rapper Osama Karamat aspires to the infectious quality of hip-hop music with his work. Inspired by the timeless ‘crunk’ and the ‘bounce’ of southern hip-hop anthems that were a part of his adolescent years, his English raps have an anthem-like quality to them. Authenticity and identity are at the core of his music and it certainly shows.
Listen to his music here.
Sometimes music is born out of accidents. At least that was the case with Sri-Lankan American musician Shaya Ramanan who ended up producing her first track ‘ToxXxic’ on Garage Band in April 2020. Her production is proof that music can be produced within the walls of your bedroom and without any fancy equipment.
Already a singer, songwriter, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, Shaya now dons the hat of a music producer as well. “As a first-generation, Sri-Lankan American, Tamil brown girl, and female producer, I feel like I wear many hats,” Ramanan tells Vanyaland. Her latest release ‘Down’ is an electro RnB number that is a push for representation.
You can listen to Down here.
Bold, curious and excitable—singer-songwriter, guitarist, and music business entrepreneur Zoya is a true-blue young artist of the new age, who is always on a path of exploration and experimentation. Willing to explore newer realms and sonic landscapes, dabbling across mediums and genres to stay true to her musical calling. Having forayed into indie folk, she is now on the path to becoming a pop star. At the intersection of two cultures, having been born in India and living in the States (California), she is not afraid to borrow elements from the two different worlds of music to create sounds that are unique to her. “Indian girls can make pop music too,” reads her Instagram bio, as she now delves into a more of a pop sound, being among the few South-Asian creatives in the international pop music scene. Her latest release is ‘Bad Girls Dream’ which features American rapper Jack Harlow.
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