ITV

Category: Music

  • Vietnam’s Duc Phuc hits the high note, wins Intervision 2025 in Moscow

    Vietnam’s Duc Phuc hits the high note, wins Intervision 2025 in Moscow

    MUMBAI: Talk about a chart-topping comeback, after three decades in silence, the ‘Intervision song contest’ returned with a bang in Moscow, crowning Vietnamese pop star Duc Phuc as its 2025 champion.

    Held on 20 September at the packed Live Arena, the revived contest brought together 23 nations from BRICS, CIS, South America and West Asia. Phuc’s powerhouse performance of Phu Dong Thien Vuong wowed the 11,000-strong crowd, earning him 422 points, a clear 49 points ahead of the runner-up, along with a crystal trophy and a hefty 30 million Russian ruble prize.

    India struck the right chord on debut. Kashmiri singer-producer Rauhan Malik delivered a stirring performance of his track Ishq, finishing a respectable 12th and earning plaudits for his soulful vocals. Beyond the stage, India’s presence was equally prominent: acclaimed Bollywood composer dr. Jaan Nissar Lone made history as the first Indian jury member, while actress-model Stefy Patel, draped in a traditional pink Kanjivaram saree, co-hosted the global spectacle with flair.

    The organisational spotlight also fell on India, with Mumbai-based ARMS record label private limited / AR music studios serving as co-organiser, Newsx as media partner, and Roshan space brandcom handling outdoor promotions.

    Backed by an international committee chaired by Russia’s deputy pm Dmitry Chernyshenko, the rebooted ‘Intervision’ carried the stamp of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s cultural vision. More than just a competition, it became a showcase of global unity and artistic exchange.

    For India, this debut signals more than just a song, it marks a growing role on the international performing arts stage, with Malik summing it up best, “Intervision 2025 was an unforgettable experience. The love and warmth made it feel like music truly knows no borders.”

  • Karma drops truth bombs in ‘Zi Freestyle’ as 64 Bars returns for season 3

    Karma drops truth bombs in ‘Zi Freestyle’ as 64 Bars returns for season 3

    MUMBAI: Bar none, hip-hop just got real. Def Jam Recordings India and Red bull have teamed up once again to unleash season 3 of Red Bull 64 Bars, the platform that strips rap back to its purest form, 64 lines, no hooks, no fluff, just raw lyricism and storytelling.

    https://open.spotify.com/album/1NZfcJlmwxaOt9z9tTIePU?si=od7C1BNBQhe6eZk9uu0YDg

    The season opens with a bang as rapper Karma joins forces with producer Stunnah Beatz on “Zi Freestyle” a track that sways from smooth, jazz-soaked textures into a hard-hitting beat, mirroring Karma’s verses that blend vulnerability with bravado.

    “Working on Zi Freestyle was an incredible experience,” Karma said. “The format pushes you to focus on the essence of the craft, pure bars and storytelling. Stunnah’s production was the perfect canvas to lay down my truth.”

    Launched globally, Red Bull 64 Bars challenges both rising and established MCs to showcase skill over spectacle. It’s about words, rhythm and authenticity, not chart hooks. Last year’s standout, Vazan by Sambata, became a fan favourite, and season 3 promises to push the envelope further.

    Industry leaders say the format is fuelling India’s hip-hop movement. “Red Bull 64 Bars is one of the most exciting platforms for hip-hop in India,” said UMG India & south Asia, new business & brand partnerships, svp & business head, Preeti Nayyar. “With Def Jam as the perfect home, this collaboration reflects our commitment to championing new voices and celebrating India’s music culture.”

    Adding to that, UMG, head of independent artist collective, Sumedhas Rajgopal, noted: “The format gives artists the freedom to express themselves in the most authentic way. With season 3, we’re bringing fresh performances from rappers and producers who’ll keep pushing boundaries.”

    Zi Freestyle by Karma and Stunnah Beatz is now streaming on all major platforms, setting the tone for a season that proves when it comes to hip-hop, it’s all about the bars.

  • Saif, Kareena tune in as Spotify proves it knows listeners best

    Saif, Kareena tune in as Spotify proves it knows listeners best

    MUMBAI: Sometimes your playlist gets you better than your partner and Spotify isn’t afraid to say it out loud. The streaming giant has rolled out a cheeky new campaign featuring movie royalty Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan, proving that when it comes to mood swings and music cues, the app has couples beat.

    Launched over the weekend, the campaign revolves around the idea “Spotify gets you,” spotlighting three of its most personalised features Daylists, Spotify Mixes, and Song Radio. Each ad uses humour to highlight how Spotify’s recommendations adapt seamlessly to every listener’s tastes and shifting moods, often with uncanny accuracy.

    Whether it’s a Daylist that morphs through the hours, curated mixes that cater to genres and vibes, or song Rrdio that spins off from a single track into an entire listening journey, the campaign underscores Spotify’s USP: personalisation at scale.

    Running across digital and social media platforms, the films aim to drive awareness and adoption of these features, while reinforcing Spotify’s role as not just a music app but a near-psychic companion in daily life.

    With Kareena and Saif’s playful chemistry anchoring the ads, Spotify is betting big on the message that in a world full of choices, sometimes the algorithm knows you better than the love of your life.
     

  • After Khalasi, Coke Studio Bharat drops Meetha Khaara this festive season

    After Khalasi, Coke Studio Bharat drops Meetha Khaara this festive season

    MUMBAI: After the runaway success of Khalasi, Coke Studio Bharat is back with another soulful folk offering, Meetha Khaara. Released as part of Season 3, the track arrives in time for the Navratri festivities and celebrates the enduring spirit of Gujarat’s Agariya community.

    Curated, composed and produced by Siddharth Amit Bhavsar, Meetha Khaara brings together a powerhouse of talent: the folk brilliance of Aditya Gadhvi, the tenderness of Madhubanti Bagchi, and the fresh notes of Thanu Khan.

    Rooted in a 600-year-old legacy, the song draws from the Agariya community’s life around salt farming. In Gujarati, “meethu” means salt, a substance born from hardship yet vital and sweet in its inheritance. The track captures this paradox, portraying resilience, pride and identity through music that blends earthy folk rhythms with contemporary sounds.

    Coca-Cola INSWA, imx lead, Shantanu Gangane said, “Festivals are occasions when music serves as a cultural connector. With Meetha Khaara, our intent is to create a bridge between tradition and the youth’s passion for music. Coke Studio Bharat unites legendary voices with fresh talent to create authentic stories that connect music, culture and people across India.”

    The song’s foundation lies in Bhargav Purohit’s evocative lyrics, which were then transformed into a layered musical narrative by Bhavsar. Gadhvi’s powerful vocals anchor the track, Bagchi adds emotional depth, and Khan ties it all together with his distinct sound.

    For Aditya Gadhvi, the song continues the journey begun with Khalasi. “With Meetha Khaara, we’re carrying forward Gujarat’s folk stories in a fresh way. Making this song was pure joy, as it carries the pride of our people,” he added. 

    Echoing him, lyricist Bhargav Purohit said, “Writing this song was an honour. I wanted the words to reflect resilience and tradition with simplicity and honesty.”

    Singer Madhubanti Bagchi shared, “It allowed me to merge technique with emotion, tradition with individuality. The result felt deeply authentic.”

    And for emerging artist Thanu Khan, the experience was nothing short of a dream. “Being part of Coke Studio Bharat and contributing to *Meetha Khaara* will always be an honour,” he shared. 

  • Red FM beats the Pujo drum as Dugga Dugga debuts in Delhi this September

    Red FM beats the Pujo drum as Dugga Dugga debuts in Delhi this September

    MUMBAI: When the dhol beats meet the Delhi streets, you know Pujo has arrived. 93.5 Red FM, India’s largest private radio and entertainment network, is bringing its much-loved Dugga Dugga – Shakti Roopena Sansthita festival to the capital for the very first time. After three packed-out editions in Kolkata, the fourth chapter of this cultural extravaganza unfolds on 20 September 2025 at Talkatora Stadium.

    More than just a gig, Dugga Dugga is a full-bodied Pujo experience where literature, theatre, craft, food, fashion and faith come together in one grand celebration of Shakti. Think soulful ragas, electrifying guitars, graceful dance, and the irresistible aroma of Bengali delicacies all under one roof.

    The star-studded line-up reflects Bengal’s creative soul: Dona Ganguly and her troupe will bring classical dance elegance, Iman Chakraborty lends her stirring voice, Anupam Roy Band injects contemporary edge, and Anjan Dutta with The Electric Band ensures an electric finale. The mix promises everything from folk traditions to modern rhythms, making Pujo feel both timeless and fresh.

    “Dugga Dugga isn’t just a festival, it’s a living expression of unity, joy and resilience,” said Red FM and Magic FM Director & COO Nisha Narayanan. “With Delhi as our new canvas, we are weaving tradition with modernity where classical ragas meet spoken word and Pujo’s soul is reimagined for everyone.”

    R FM’s hyper-local spirit shines through here too. Beyond the music, festivalgoers can expect poetry, crafts, artisanal creations and authentic Bengali cuisine. It’s designed as a multi-sensory journey that mirrors the devotion, artistry and community of Durga Puja, but with a Delhi twist.

    With a footprint of 69 stations and over 663 award-winning campaigns to its name, Red FM is no stranger to cultural evangelism. But this edition of Dugga Dugga marks a milestone bridging Kolkata’s Pujo legacy with Delhi’s cultural pulse. For one night, the Talkatora Stadium won’t just echo with sound, it will resonate with the spirit of Shakti.

  • Rais Anis Sabri gives Khusro’s sufi classic a soulful Urdu spin

    Rais Anis Sabri gives Khusro’s sufi classic a soulful Urdu spin

    MUMBAI: You could say the past just got a playlist. Young sufi qawwal Rais Anis Sabri is bringing a 13th-century persian classic into the Spotify age with his upcoming Urdu single Jahan Kal Raat Ko Hum The. The track, out on 6 September, reimagines Hazrat Amir Khusro’s mystical verse Nami Danam for a modern audience.

    The original poem, with its haunting opening line “I don’t know what place it was where I was last night,” explores divine mystery through the language of unknowing. Sabri’s rendition, translated by poet Sulaiman Khateeb, seeks to capture that same spiritual depth while making it accessible to Urdu-Hindi speakers. Each couplet retains the rhyme, rhythm and resonance of the original, giving centuries-old wisdom a contemporary pulse.

    “Sufi poetry often begins with the acknowledgement of not knowing,” Sabri said. “That humility is the gateway to deeper understanding. My goal is to preserve that soul-stirring message while offering it in a voice today’s listeners can feel.”

    A performer since the age of four and the son of qawwal Rais Sabri, he belongs to a respected lineage steeped in the chishti rang tradition. From stages in India to Johannesburg, Sabri has carved out a reputation for bringing emotional power and spiritual intensity to his performances.

    Presented by the Sulaiman Khateeb trust and produced by Khaja Khateeb with music by Jaspal Moni, the track is pitched as more than just a song. It is a revival of classical Sufi thought dressed in modern sound.

    “Sufi poetry belongs to everyone,” Sabri adds. “Not everyone understands Persian. It has always been my dream to bring this spiritual legacy into every household through a language that touches the heart.”

    Jahan Kal Raat Ko Hum The will be released worldwide on 6 September across major streaming platforms including YouTube, Spotify and Apple Music.

  • South Side Story hits the right notes as Red FM fest dazzles Delhi crowd

    South Side Story hits the right notes as Red FM fest dazzles Delhi crowd

    MUMBAI: When Carnatic ragas meet hip-hop beats and an Onam Sadhya feeds thousands, you know Delhi has been treated to more than just a music festival. 93.5 Red FM’s South Side Story returned for its 7th edition at KD Jadhav Wrestling Stadium, drawing over 12,000 attendees for a two-day cultural feast of sound, flavour, and art.

    Day one was a blend of heritage and innovation. Carnatic maestro TM Krishna struck a soulful opening chord, followed by Job Kurian’s indie charm and the fresh energy of Aattam & Bhadra Rajin. Padma Bhushan awardee Shobana stole the spotlight with her first-ever North India stage performance, a dazzling fusion of Bharatanatyam and cinematic artistry. The evening closed with Avial’s trademark Carnatic rock anthems that had the crowd chanting for more.

    If tradition led the way on day one, day two was about shaking things up. All-women hip-hop collective Wild Wild Women turned up the swagger, Sooraj Santhosh brought his melodic warmth, Thaikkudam Bridge electrified the stage, and the Raghu Dixit Project delivered a high-voltage finale. Beyond the music, audiences tucked into a grand 20-plus dish Onam Sadhya and explored food pop-ups from Mahabelly, Naivedyam, Dakshin Canteen and more. With 60–65 per cent of attendees from southern states and a strong turnout from northern India, the festival lived up to its promise of being a cultural bridge.

    “South Side Story is more than just a music festival, it’s a vibrant celebration of art, culture, literature, cuisine, and community,” said Red FM and Magic FM Director & COO Nisha Narayanan. “It was uplifting to see such a diverse audience immersed in the South’s spirit at our 7th edition. At Red FM, we don’t just host events, we curate experiences that inspire, connect and resonate long after the final note.”

    With partners ranging from Royal Enfield and Bank of Maharashtra to Oxford Bookstore and Kerala Literature Festival, the event became a pan-cultural showcase. From ragas to rap, sambar to rock, South Side Story once again proved that Delhi can handle the heat and the spice of the South.
     

  • Big FM tunes into the power of sun with record-breaking solar campaign

    Big FM tunes into the power of sun with record-breaking solar campaign

    MUMBAI: When the sun comes up, Big FM doesn’t just play music, it powers it. The radio giant, in partnership with the Adani Group, rolled out its ambitious ‘Story of Suraj’ campaign, turning solar energy into a cultural talking point across India. The 360-degree initiative spanned 39 cities, blending radio, digital, and on-ground activations. Its opening act? A nationwide content roadblock introducing every listener to Suraj Bhaiya’s story. With 80 RJs creating over 250 content pieces, the campaign reached an impressive 2.91 crore listeners on-air. Online, it struck another chord, clocking 21 million plus digital impressions across Big Live and RJ social handles.

    But the real showstopper came when Big FM set a world record with the first-ever dual-city solar-powered live broadcast, running studios in Delhi and Pune entirely on solar energy no grid, no diesel. The feat earned spots in both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records, putting sustainability firmly in the spotlight.

    The campaign didn’t stop at the airwaves. Listeners tuned into stories of solar-powered villages, practical tips, and pledge walls across Delhi, Pune, Modhera, Indore and Lucknow, while the Solar Rooftop Studio Shift showcased the lives of real solar beneficiaries. The crescendo came from Modhera Gram Panchayat, India’s first fully solar-powered village, where Big FM went live to give audiences a glimpse of a cleaner, greener future.

    As Big FM’s CEO Sunil Kumaran summed up: “When purpose meets innovation, the impact can extend far beyond the airwaves.” And with ‘Story of Suraj’, the network proved that sustainability can be as powerful as any song on the charts.

  • Government to launch centralised digital music licensing registry within two months

    Government to launch centralised digital music licensing registry within two months

    NEW DELHI:  India’s information and broadcasting ministry will roll out a centralised digital music licensing registry by October 2025, in partnership with rights societies, as part of a wider push to unlock the country’s live entertainment sector.

    The decision was sealed at the inaugural meeting of the joint working group (JWG) on promoting live events, chaired on 26 August at the National Media Centre by Sanjay Jaju, secretary in the information and broadcasting ministry.

    Officials from the ministries of culture, youth affairs and sports, skill development, finance and DPIIT joined, alongside the Sports Authority of India and state governments from Maharashtra, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Industry bodies Ficci, CII, Eema and Ilea sat across the table from companies including BookMyShow, Wizcraft, Saregama, District by Zomato and Touchwood Entertainment. Rights societies IPRS, PPL, RMPL and IMI Trust were also present.

    Key outcomes included integrating live-event approvals into the India Cine Hub portal to cut red tape, drafting a model policy for multi-use of stadiums and public spaces, and embedding live-entertainment skills in the national skills framework. Financial incentives—from GST rebates and blended finance to subsidies and MSME recognition—were also discussed.

    Prime minister Narendra Modi has recently described live entertainment as an engine for jobs, tourism and cultural influence. The sector was worth Rs 20,861 crore in 2024 and is growing at 15 per cent annually, buoyed by demand in tier-one and tier-two cities and a rising appetite for music tourism.

    Jaju said the government’s target is to place India among the world’s top five live-entertainment destinations by 2030, with potential to create 15–20m jobs. “The JWG will work to harness the concert economy as a driver of infrastructure growth, employment, tourism and soft power,” he said.

    The JWG was formed in July on the orders of union I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. It will meet regularly to review progress and feed policy recommendations, building on the white paper India’s Live Events Economy: A Strategic Growth Imperative unveiled at the Waves 2025 summit.

  • UMI strikes the right chord with Maddock Films in global music alliance

    UMI strikes the right chord with Maddock Films in global music alliance

    MUMBAI: The movie business just got a new soundtrack partner and this time, it’s playing to a global beat. Universal Music India (UMI), the Indian arm of Universal Music Group, has inked a strategic tie-up with Maddock Films and its new music label, Mad For Mussic, founded by producer-director Dinesh Vijan. The deal will see UMI serve as Maddock’s worldwide strategic partner for future film soundtracks and allied offerings.

    For UMI, it’s more than just a duet, it’s a full-blown re-entry into India’s most dominant music category: film soundtracks. With UMG’s global network as its amplifier, Maddock’s repertoire will now find international stages, while UMI cements its foothold in a market where movies and music are inseparable.

    Maddock Films, which has carved its niche with hits like Stree, Bhediya, Munjya and the upcoming Thama, has long treated music as central to its storytelling. Its chartbuster “Pardesiya” from Param Sundari is a case in point, having ruled social media and streaming platforms alike. “Our cinema is the cinema of real India,” said Vijan. “Music has always been one of its pillars. With UMG, we’re ready to scale that ambition.”

    Universal, of course, is no stranger to Hindi film soundtracks. Its catalogue has spanned classics from Sholay and Deewar to Devdas and Bombay. But this partnership marks a sharp pivot to contemporary hindi film industry, with an eye on both local dominance and global resonance.

    Calling the deal “a crucial step forward,” UMG’s Adam Granite hailed Vijan as “a first-class storyteller with an unparalleled ear for music.” UMI’s India MD Sanujeet Bhujabal called Maddock’s output “fearless, forward-thinking storytelling,” while India SA chairman & CEO Devraj Sanyal noted that the move comes at “the perfect time” for UMI to re-enter the Indian film music market.

    With Maddock’s track record of genre-defining cinema from horror-comedies to mainstream hits and UMI’s global muscle, the stage is set for Hindi soundtracks to travel farther and louder than ever. Call it a match made in musical heaven, with India’s stories and songs primed for a world tour.