For singer-songwriter and rapper King, his newest EP Shayad Koi Na Sune is all concerning the ideas that one quietly sits with. “There are issues that you just discuss to your self about, and typically you don’t categorical them this manner, however they’re in your thoughts,” he says, of the three songs, ‘Yeh Zindagi Hai’, ‘Sab Be Asar’ and ‘Talking Softly’, that had been launched by way of the final week of July . 

Born Arpan Kumar Chandel, King rose to prominence with the 2020 hindi track ‘Tu Aake Dekhle’, and the smash-hit ‘Maan Meri Jaan’ which was among the many most streamed songs throughout platforms in 2022 and solidified his presence within the music scene in India. 

“The response to Shayad Koi Na Sune has been beautiful. I’m not speaking concerning the numbers, however folks listening to it and reacting…to be sincere, I need to create and join in such a approach that people who find themselves listening to it really feel like it’s their story,” he says. “That’s the fantastic thing about artwork. I’m simply engaged on it and I really feel so glad,” he provides. 

Within the run as much as Friendship Day (August 3) this yr, King will likely be joined by his pal, rapper Karma and comedians Ravi Gupta and Gurleen Pannu on the Home of Mcdowell’s Soda — World’s First Yaari Jam In The Sky the place they’ll jam aboard a chartered flight from Mumbai to Kolkata on August 1. As part of a contest, folks may enter and win the prospect to be part of this journey. 

“I’ve been lacking acting on the stage for some time now and the final time I frolicked like this with my pals was once I was creating Monopoly Strikes, almost a yr in the past. For me this can be a day with my pals and I used to be thrilled to listen to that Karma would even be becoming a member of me,” King says. 

King’s evolution as an artiste has been about going again to his roots. “Each artiste has a 360 diploma journey, from a dreamer to a doer and I really feel like I’m changing into a dreamer once more, going again to my roots, writing down my ideas and songs on a pen and paper and easily focussing on creating music,” he says. “I’m not on the shoulder of any guidelines, and I’m nonetheless doing it in an old-fashioned approach, the best way of a dreamer. I’m loving each phrase I’m writing,” he says. Six albums and a number of EPs in his discography may be a big quantity, however for King, this nonetheless feels much less, he says. 

As a Hindi rapper, when requested concerning the burgeoning regional rap scene throughout the nation, King says he’s extraordinarily excited. “I really like the rap scene down south,” he says. “The songs have superb narration, storytelling and visuals. It has all of the aesthetics. Hip-hop has no legal guidelines, and is a road style and these artistes are writing their very own e book. That’s the fantastic thing about it, they’re creating superb music and I so need to do one thing down South as nicely,” he says, excited by the prospect of collaborations sooner or later. 

Having labored with Nick Jonas, Alan Walker, Jason Derulo and KSHMR on a spread of tasks, King laughs and says that he has a really philosophical factor to say about this. “Each (track) drop, collaboration, and have takes me someplace. I’m open for all these collaborations as a result of music has no boundaries,” he says. 

Beginning off as a finalist on the truth present MTV Hustle. King’s rise has been from humble beginnings in Delhi to a music chart hitmaker. Hip-hop music in India is a robust voice of youth from economically backward sections of the society and several other stars have emerged throughout languages over the previous few years.

“Younger, aspiring hip-hop artistes ought to work on themselves as an individual first, after which work on discovering themselves in what they do. Hip-hop is about standing out and being distinctive,” King says. He additionally says that as a substitute of doing issues precisely like their music idols, aspiring artistes ought to solely take notes from their idols however usher in their very own tales and experiences. 

“Everyone has a distinct story, and a distinct path and all of us have completely different paths. Discover out what makes you stand out. Thirdly, when you find yourself in a room with people who find themselves larger than you. Study and take up all that you could,” he concludes. 

Printed – August 01, 2025 08:36 pm IST