Mumbai: In an exciting new development, the five-time Grammy Award-winning band Snarky Puppy is making its way to India in the month of December. The genre-defying “collective of sorts” is all set to deliver truly mesmerising performances at Mumbai’s Bayview Lawns on 2 December and at the DLF CyberHub in Gurugram on 3 December. This dual-city India Tour is being brought to their fans and music connoisseurs by Hyperlink Brand Solutions and leading entertainment platform Paytm Insider.
Snarky Puppy has garnered worldwide acclaim for their innovative compositions. Formed in 2004 by Michael League, the group originally consisted of him and nine of his peers. Today, it has as many as 20 members in regular rotation. The group combines a variety of jazz idioms, rock, world music and funk with various accents from around the world, including Japan, Argentina, Canada and the UK. The group is returning for an encore to the country after almost a decade with its two-city India Tour.
Furthermore, their India Tour will kick off with an opening act by High Fade, an Edinburgh-based trio known for a rich cocktail of funk, rock, pop and disco, infused with ’70s and ’80s influences. Their infectious style and energy will set the stage alight, giving audiences an experience unlike anything before.
This tour is being curated and brought forth to the two cities by Paytm Insider alongside Hyperlink Brand Solutions, and through this tour, both entertainment stalwarts seek to set a new standard for musical experiences across the country.
Paytm Insider business head Varun Khare said, “While we’re already in the middle of a jam-packed music festival season, we’re especially stoked to be the architects behind Snarky Puppy’s India Tour, which is arguably going to be one of the coolest gigs in the country this year. Fans and first-timers are in for an unparalleled audio-visual feast with the fusion of music and international culture. To ensure a smooth and easy experience, our focus along with the Hyperlink team will be to examine the tiniest details so that your ticketing to on-ground experience is nothing short of unforgettable.”
Hyperlink Brand Solutions founder V.G. Jairam added, “India is a country that welcomes culturally diverse artistic endeavours. It is because the very fabric of Indian society is culturally diverse. Our aim has always been to craft and bring memorable artistic and cultural experiences from around the globe which connect and resonate with audiences. It feels great to be going through the process of creating an exceptional audio-visual treat for the attendees – through this, we seek to make the Snarky Puppy’s India Tour a landmark moment for music lovers across the nation.”
Tickets for the event start at Rs 3000 onwards and are live on Paytm Insider. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this historic musical journey – grab your tickets now!
Mumbai: Universal Music Group India (UMGI), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment and REPRESENT, a pioneering Indian independent talent management company, have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the opportunities available for its artists. Under the leadership of Founder and CEO, Aayushman Sinha and its energetic team, REPRESENT has quickly earned a reputation for shaping the future of Indian pop culture, while nurturing independent artists to achieve global recognition.
Through the strategic collaboration, REPRESENT’s talented roster will gain access to UMG’s global footprint across distribution, publishing, brands and more, directly facilitating the growth and reach of their artists worldwide, empowering REPRESENT’s artists to create more music and an expanded ecosystem to foster their creativity. Some of the REPRESENT artists who will be distributed and supported under this strategic partnership include Anuv Jain, MC Stan, Zaeden, Lost Stories, Yashraj, Hanita Bhambri, Akanksha Bhandari, Kamakshi Khanna, Saahel, Savera, Kayan, OAFF and Jai Dhir.
The companies will work together on artist development, fan engagement and more. The alliance leverages the creative synergies, united in their commitment to push boundaries and support established, as well as emerging talent and help introduce new Indian music culture to a global audience.
This partnership between UMGI and REPRESENT, symbolises another major milestone for the growth of Indian artists, combining REPRESENT’s blueprint for talent development with UMG’s expertise to develop artistry and elevate the independent music scene in India.
In making the announcement, Universal Music India & South Asia chairman and CEO Devraj Sanyal said, “We are delighted to announce this new strategic partnership with REPRESENT. Our combined efforts will empower their artists and fuel their creativity, help inspire audiences worldwide, and elevate Indian music to new heights. With REPRESENT’s visionary approach and UMG’s global network and support, we are confident this collaboration will help shine a spotlight on some of India’s most exciting young talent.”
REPRESENT founder and CEO Aayushman Sinha enthused his thoughts on the partnership, “Having worked with Universal Music Group across quite a few of our artists’ releases in the past and have been fortunate to be aligned in our thoughts to elevate the overall music industry and provide a platform for Indian artists to take their music global. This partnership is a step closer to achieving that. We bring some of our ace independent artists to the table as part of this deal and UMG brings its extensive resources and expertise – together driving the future of music. So excited to start this new chapter and I can’t wait to see where we go from here on.”
Universal Music Group India EVP & Head of Content Sanujeet Bhujabal said, “This partnership signifies another milestone for the Indian music community. With REPRESENT’s impressive roster of artists and UMG’s vast expertise, we are poised to create new opportunities for their artists to resonate with millions of music fans worldwide. Together, we will push the boundaries of innovation and help foster a thriving ecosystem for artists in India.”
In recent years, UMGI has led the Indian music market in reflecting the diversity of genres and languages of music within the country. This strategic partnership with REPRESENT, alongside previously announced partnerships with Desi Melodies & TM Ventures, and the success achieved by UMG’s own VYRL labels, has transformed and kickstarted a new wave of original artist content that is captivating India’s music fans and charts, and further underscores UMG India’s ambition to help shape the artist ecosystem, whilst supporting the independent music scene and vibrant music culture in India.
Mumbai: Coke Studio with its phenomenal success as a music platform with different genres of music continues to celebrate talented & emerging artists with the launch of Coke Studio Bharat & Coke Studio Tamil in India, early this year. Coke Studio Bharat announces a significant milestone as Khalasi has been stealing the spotlight by surpassing an incredible 4.5 billion views.
As the festive season unfolds, Khalasi has not only resonated with fans worldwide but has also become a heartwarming anthem, positioning itself as a strong contender for the title of Song of the Year. While not a Garbo song, Khalasi has seamlessly woven itself into the celebration of Navratri and other festivities, offering a harmonious backdrop that adds depth to the joy of the season. Its catchy tunes and meaningful lyrics have made it a staple in celebrations, reflecting the love and pride of the fans. Not only are people enjoying the song, but over 250+ creators and brands created multiple renditions and dance performance videos have flooded social media platforms. The Norwegian dance group Quick Style, known for their viral dance videos, also impressed fans with their fantastic performance to Khalasi.
Khalasi is likely to be the first Gujarati song to cross over global charts as the song is currently trending on India’s leading audio streaming and search apps. As Khalasi reigns at #1 on the Shazam Top 200, it has also achieved:
A global presence with a peak at #8 on Global Viral Songs, #3 on Daily Viral Songs India, and #10 on Daily Top Songs India on Spotify
Over 1.6 million User-Generated Content (UGC) creations across popular social media platforms.
A remarkable milestone of crossing 3 billion views across platforms like IG, Facebook, YouTube shorts, YouTube, and MOJ etc.
An impressive 22 million+ streams across audio platforms.
Release in July 2023, this enchanting composition seamlessly blends tradition with innovation, celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of Gujarat. Khalasi tells the tale of the limitless sailor who has set out to explore through the shores of Gujarat. The song speaks of his tenuous, adventurous voyage, his delightful experiences, and his enthusiasm with which he takes on life while he is sailing away. The song’s heartfelt lyrics and moving melodies have brought people from different languages together, making it a song that resonates with authenticity and cultural pride.
Penned by acclaimed writer Saumya Joshi, the song has achieved remarkable milestones, resoundingly heard as “Gotilo, Godilo,” making its mark even beyond the Gujarati-speaking audience. Headlining the song is iconic music composer Achint Thakkar, joined by famous playback singer from Gujarat, Aditya Gadhvi, whose melodious voice, and iconic Gujarati rap have the country enthralled.
The Indian music scene is undergoing a profound transformation, guided by the discerning Gen Z. This generation seeks authentic stories and musical experiences that mirror their lives. Khalasi beautifully captures this zeitgeist, with emerging artists from India’s heartlands and seasoned maestros creating a unique fusion that resonates with this dynamic generation.
Reflecting on his experience with Khalasi, playback singer Aditya Gadhvi shared, “Khalasi is a musical journey close to my heart, and I’m thrilled to see it resonate with people on such a grand scale. Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries, and the success of Khalasi is a testament to the power of authenticity and the rich cultural heritage of Gujarat.”
Achint, the mastermind behind ‘Khalasi,’ shared his thoughts on the song, stating, “Khalasi’s success is a blend of tradition and innovation. We wanted to pay homage to Gujarat’s cultural roots while infusing a contemporary sound. It’s incredibly heartwarming to see how people have embraced this fusion of music and celebrated the culture of our land.”
Universal Music Group chairman CEO of India South Asia and SVP startegy Africa, Middle East & Asia Devraj Sanyal said, “At UMG we exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. There’s no better example of this than what we see with Khalasi from Coke Studio Bharat S01. This song, despite being in a regional language, has become one of the most viral songs of 2023, and it’s not just a cultural moment but a moment that’s shaping culture, not only in India but also across the diaspora worldwide, and even among mainstream audiences who love its vibe, even if they don’t comprehend the song’s lyrics.”
Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia VP marketing Arnab Roy emphasized the brand’s commitment to promoting Indian music and culture, stating, “It’s heartening to see artists, creators and fans coming together on Khalasi, to create their own renditions and videos, turning the song into a success with 4.5 billion views. It exemplifies the vision of Coke Studio Bharat, taking regional talent and music forms in the country to a global landscape, with authenticity.”
Coca-Cola has partnered with Universal Music India (UMI) as executive producers for the launch of Coke Studio Bharat. Every track from Coke Studio Bharat appeals to the mindset of the younger generation, on the one hand helping them connect with their roots, and on the other hand coupling it with sounds, notes, and musical genres that are familiar to them. Coke Studio Bharat has been curated by award-winning musician and sought-after songwriter, Ankur Tewari. Ankur has collaborated with critically acclaimed poet, lyricist and scriptwriter Kausar Munir along with National award-winning sound engineer and music producer KJ Singh. Together they have handpicked regional artists to give their sound a new voice and independent freedom of expression.
Coke Studio fans can now embark on an extraordinary musical journey by experiencing the future of music and engaging directly with the brand. By simply scanning a Coca-Cola bottle with a QR code, fans will be transported to a mesmerizing AR music studio, enveloped by a constellation of talented artists. Within this immersive realm, fans can unleash their inner performers, belting out their favorite tunes through exhilarating karaoke sessions, seizing the opportunity to audition for the upcoming Coke Studio season.
You are invited to tune into Coke Studio Bharat, available across all audio OTT platforms including Spotify, Gaana, Saavn, Wynk Music, and Audible worldwide, with distribution managed by UMI.
Mumbai: Virgin Music Group, the world’s leading partner to independent music companies and entrepreneurs, announces a significant milestone in its journey by naming a newly appointed global leadership team.
As part of a global reorganization, Virgin Music Group integrates Ingrooves’ industry-leading global platform and patented marketing with Virgin Music, one of the world’s most iconic independent music brands, to offer independent artists and labels a full suite of global services, providing expertise that is unparalleled in the music industry. The company has already begun to integrate operations among the teams in 32 countries around the world, a process that will proceed over the coming months.
As the global independent music division of UMG, Virgin Music Group is expanding as a stand-alone organization, now under common Virgin branding, working within a proprietary global system that includes a unified infrastructure, platform, product suite, and team.
Here are the key points of this announcement:
Global Reorganisation: Virgin Music Group will now be organized into five key regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and Emerging Markets. Each region will have dedicated leaders responsible for driving our presence and influence in their respective areas. Our centralized global leadership team will focus on maximizing the impact of marketing, commercial, and operational initiatives worldwide.
Brand Transition: Virgin Music (Label & Artist Services) and Ingrooves will now be known as Virgin Music Group, aligning our global branding and services. This transition will take place over the coming months.
Operational Integration: The company has already begun the process of integrating some operations, a transformation that will continue over the coming months.
Web and Social Transition: Our websites and social media accounts, including VirginMusic.com and Ingrooves.com, will evolve into Virgin Music Group branding. As a first step, both websites will temporarily redirect to VirginMusic.com.
Enhanced Global Solutions: The reorganization of Virgin Music Group provides independent labels and artists with broader, more flexible, and improved global solutions.
This reorganization builds on Universal Music Group’s (UMG) investment in creating successful long-term relationships with leading independent labels and artists worldwide.
VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP GLOBAL LEADERSHIP TEAM:
1 Jacqueline Saturn is President of Virgin Music Group North America and EVP of Global Artist Relations.
2 Thomas Lorain and Nick Roden, co-presidents of Virgin Music Group Europe
3 Victor Gonzales, President of Virgin Music Group Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula
4 Nathan McLay, Managing Director of Virgin Music Group Australia & New Zealand
5 Michael Roe, Managing Director of Virgin Music Group Africa, Middle East, and Asia (AMEA),
6 Jay Blomquist, Chief Technology Officer
7 Jeremy Kramer, Executive Vice President of Global Marketing
8 Joy Larocca, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
9 Liz Morentin, Senior Vice President of Global Communications and Brand Strategy
10 Matt Sawin, Head of Global Product Strategy and Operations
11 Nina Rabe-Cairns, Head of Global Growth Strategy
12 Zack Gershen, Executive Vice President of Global Commercial and Digital Strategy
All members of the global leadership team will report directly to Virgin Music Group Co-CEOs JT Myers and Nat Pastor.
This exciting development signifies Virgin Music Group’s commitment to delivering enhanced music services on a global scale. We look forward to an even more dynamic and successful future, standing strong as a dedicated partner to independent music companies and artists worldwide.
Mumbai: Viacom18’s experiential & LIVE entertainment business, Viacom18 LIVE, more popularly known as the official curators of Vh1 Supersonic (India’s first multi-genre music & lifestyle festival), are all set to introduce another unique and experiential festival, ‘Vh1 Lift Off’. This new IP will be a landmark event that is set to bring together a host of experiences and sub-cultures, elevating India’s urban cultural scene.
Set in the cultural hub of the country; Mumbai, Vh1 Lift Off is set to redefine the experiential and urban cultural landscape in India. As a celebration of 50 Years of Hip Hop and built with its culture and its community at heart, the IP aims to work towards creating a platform which is both relevant and beneficial to creators, brands, and consumers alike. Its first edition will focus on sub-cultures like art, fashion/street fashion and dance, while music and Hip Hop, will be at the heart of it. Addressing a unique gap in India’s experiential urban sub-culture landscape, Vh1 Lift Off, unlike any other large-scale culture platform in the country, broadens the narrative beyond music and encompasses a multitude of subcultures. It speaks directly to the youth of today, offering an additive cultural experience that resonates with their diverse interests.
Viacom18 Live head Gaurav Mashruwala said, “At Viacom18, we take pride in setting the stage for a new and unparalleled cultural experience with our latest IP, ‘Vh1 Lift Off’. Vh1 Lift Off is a platform that allows us to broad-base the narrative beyond music and speak to varied subcultures and communities all at once, with the idea of ‘lifting them off’ through this platform. We are happy to bring this unparalleled experience in the culture space, knowing fully well that brands associate with the youth and sub-cultures, and therefore giving an opportunity for them to work with each other at such a large scale.”
Viacom18 live promises to continue entertaining its audiences and fans with its iconic IPs including Vh1 Supersonic and assures to amp up the entertainment quotient with culturally relevant properties like Vh1 Lift Off in a bid to enable brands to deepen connect with consumers.
Mumbai: MADverse, the leading tech-driven music platform, is excited to announce a game-changing event for talented musicians across India. Starting on October 15th, 2023, this event is a rallying call to independent artists nationwide, introducing the MADVerse Empower Fund. This initiative is dedicated to recognizing and supporting extraordinary musical talent within the independent music scene and consists of two vital components: the Marketing Fund and the Mix & Master Fund.
The event is supported by three honored partners including Superkicks India as the culture partner, Global Music Institute as the education partner, and the Indian Music Diaries as the media partner. A distinguished panel of music industry figures, including Rohan Nesho Jain, Anurag Tagat, Dhruv Vishwanath, Kamakshi Khanna, and Sandhya Surendran, will select three outstanding artists or bands from the pool of applicants.
The Creative & Marketing Fund, in collaboration with SymphonyOS, a US-based AI marketing company, will provide each selected artist with marketing funds valued at 30,000 INR, dedicated to promoting their upcoming releases. SymphonyOS is a data-driven, smart-automated platform focused on building creators’ fan bases and promoting their content.
The Mix & Master Fund offers the winning artist a chance to partner with Bharg, India’s top music producer, known for collaborations with artists like King, Krishna, and Rawal. The artist will receive complimentary mixing and mastering services for one of their tracks, followed by distribution and promotion through MADverse.
MADverse CEO & founder Rohan Nesho Jain, emphasised the importance of empowering independent artists in a competitive music industry. The fund allocation for each selected artist totals Rs 50,000 with a total fund value of Rs 1.5 lakh. The application window is open from 15 October to 15 November 2023, with winners to be announced by 29 November 2023.
The MADVerse Artist Fund is open to artists of all backgrounds, ages, and languages, promoting inclusivity and diversity. It’s a platform where artists can shine, regardless of their musical genre, and MADVerse welcomes all independent artists to embrace this extraordinary opportunity to redefine their musical journeys. MADverse empowers artists with a comprehensive suite of services, liberating them from traditional record label dependencies and connecting them with a global community of independent musicians. Join MADverse in revolutionizing the music industry!
Mumbai: ZEE Kannada, the number one Kannada entertainment channel in the country seems to be getting it all right with its content and business strategy in recent times. The channel, which crossed the significant milestone of completing 250 weeks of leadership in the Karnataka market continues to enjoy the acceptance and loyalty of its audience and advertisers alike.
Known for its relentless efforts to craft the best fiction and grand non-fiction shows, all of the channel’s newest launches like Amruthadhaare, Seetha Rama and Bharjari Bachelors have gone on to become slot leaders and propelling the leader channel to increase the gap between them and competition. Its newest launch Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Season 20 has already got the audience rooting for their favourite singers.
For the uninitiated, ZEE’s flagship show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has been the longest-running reality show on ZEE Kannada completing 19 seasons, successfully establishing itself as one of the best singing platforms the country has witnessed. With the new season, the channel for the first time has opened the platform to singing talents from across the globe and has already launched to become the number one Kannada Reality Show.
Prior to the launch, the ZEE Kannada team spent an entire month searching for the best singers in the age group of 14 and 60 years across the state and the country, and among Kannadiga NRIs between the age group was six to 60 years. Twenty precious and talented candidates were hand-picked from the record-breaking number of passionate contenders who attended the mega auditions, and they are now ready to cast a spell on the audience this season.
The show boasts of a stellar judges panel comprising of iconic composer Naadabramha Hamsalekha as the Mahaguru along with singer Vijay Prakash and composer Arjun Janya with Ansuhree taking on the anchoring duties.
Talking about the show’s legacy and the love of the audience ZEE Kannada & ZEE Marathi chief content officer Raghavendra Hunsur said “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa is our channel’s pride, and it has experienced substantial growth in its following over the years. What sets us apart is the fact that we have retained the soul of music as an art within the show and our judges panel plays a big role in it which the audience love. The show is rooted in its values while being presented with unmatchable grandeur. This season going global is in line with our commitment to offer something new in each of our shows which I’m sure will add to the excitement of the audience.”
What makes the show a big hit among the advertisers?
According to ZEEL chief growth officer Ashish Sehgal, “ZEE Network’s reality shows have a unique ability to captivate the diverse audiences in every market that they are launched, due to our profound expertise in creating content based on the cultural understanding. Leading the pack is the pioneer of music reality shows in India, ZEE’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa – an iconic brand and one of the most successful reality shows of India for more than two decades. The story is similar for our top channel from South, where ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa has delivered blockbuster content for 19 seasons, discovered unique talents and created the singing stars of the future. With the launch of the 20th season this month, we have kept the promise of adding more depth and unique elements to the show to keep our viewers hooked. Complementing the popularity of the show, we have got a phenomenal response from the advertisers this season, with substantial interest from the retail market. I whole-heartedly welcome all the 14 sponsors of the show and I am extremely delighted to continue our partnership with Maruti Suzuki and White Gold, who joins us as the Co-Title sponsors. Each of the sponsors will get innovative brand engagement opportunities in every phase of the show to bring out their brands’ core propositions effortlessly and leave a long-lasting impression among the viewers in this festive season. I am certain that this new season of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa will inspire millions of our Kannada viewers to sing along with the talented contestants and generate massive value for our revered partners.”
ZEEL chief sales officer – South cluster VS Raghavan agrees with Ashish. He added, “Being a market leader for over 250 weeks, ZEE Kannada has always been the first choice platform for brands targeting Kannada heartland to build reach, TOMA or drive consideration. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, being our flagship has always been investors’ preferred destination given the distinct set of viewers it caters to, enabling brands achieve sharper connections with consumers be it for new launches, build awareness or for better engagement. In our 20th season, we have raised our bar a notch higher by taking it global and onboarded many great brands this season with as many as 14 sponsors as part of the show, including several home grown local brands, which testify the trust and aspirations behind a talent show like Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.”
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd Sr executive officer, marketing & sales Shashank Srivastava shared his thoughts on the association saying “On behalf of Maruti Suzuki, I’d like to extend my best wishes to another year of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa on ZEE Kannada. It is exciting for all of us to partner again with the show in its 20th Season which promotes and celebrates the best of Kannada singing talents from India and across the globe. This partnership helps us reach out to our relevant audiences in the most engaging manner making the association truly symbolic.”
“At Amrith Noni company, we firmly believe in partnering with properties that align with our values and contribute positively to society and ZEE Kannada’s shows have been doing exactly that in the Karnataka market. We have been closely associated with many of the channel’s marquee shows that have a strong following among our core consumers. Our association with ZEE Kannada over the years has given us the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people, our products are aimed at making life easy and so are their shows and we see this as a harmonious marriage that go on for longer” said Amrith Noni CEO Narayan N.
White Gold managing director Babu C J who is associating with the show for the first time said, “We are delighted to announce our collaboration with ZEE Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. White Gold aims to transform the unorganized gold-buying market in India with its organized work process and 100% transparency. We have been serving people who wanted to sell gold by providing them with liquidity for their emergency money requirements and offering a fair value for their gold. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa embarks on a parallel journey where talent converges with opportunity and has scripted many underdog-winning stories. This collaboration further enhances our brand’s positioning within the pertinent audience and together we aspire to deliver an exceptional season that resonates with all.”
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Season S20 airs every Saturday and Sunday at 7.30 pm, on ZEE Kannada and ZEE Kannada HD.
Mumbai: TIPS Industries Ltd (Tips Music), a leading Indian music label which creates and monetises music, announced its financial results for the quarter ending 30 September 2023.
Key financial performance
Key Highlights:
✔ Recorded highest ever quarterly revenue of ₹ 60.9 Cr, a growth of 23% y-o-y. Revenue for H1 FY24 stood at ₹ 113.5 cr up 35% y-o-y
✔ The content cost for the quarter stood at ₹ 4.7 Cr compared to ₹ 17.2 Cr in Q2 FY23
✔ For Q2FY24 the company released 130 new songs. Out of 130 new songs, 62 were new film songs and 68 Non-Film songs
✔ YouTube subscribers now stand at 89.7 Mn. For Q2FY24 YouTube views were 50.9 Bn up 86% y-o-y
✔ The Board of Directors have approved an interim dividend of ₹ 2.00 per share for Q2 FY24 taking the total interim dividend for H1 FY24 to ₹ 3.00 per share; as part of our ongoing efforts to reward our shareholders
✔ Mr. Hari Nair has joined as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. He brings in 25 years of overall experience, of which the last two decades were in the music ecosystem
Commenting on the results, chairman & managing director Kumar Taurani said, “I am pleased to announce that Tips has achieved the highest ever quarterly revenue of Rs. 61 crore, representing a growth of 23% year-on-year. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.
During this period, we released a total of 130 new songs of which, 62 were captivating new film songs and 68 were non-film songs. This diverse range of music showcases our ability to cater to a wide spectrum of tastes and preferences, solidifying our position as one of the leading music labels in the industry. In the digital realm, our YouTube channel subscriber numbers have reached 89.7 mn while our YouTube views for Q2FY24 reached 50.9 bn up 86% y-o-y. This reflects the popularity of our repertoire. I want to share another positive development with you. Mr. Hari Nair has recently joined us as our CEO. He has over 25 years of diverse experience in media and technology. Mr. Nair brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our organization. His extensive background in the music industry, spanning two decades, further strengthens our leadership team. I am confident that under his guidance, we will continue to innovate and thrive in this dynamic industry.
I want to express my gratitude to all our stakeholders who have supported and believed in our vision. We remain committed to delivering exceptional music experiences and exploring new avenues for growth.”
Mumbai: Building on the mega-success of MTV Hustle 2.0, India’s leading youth entertainment channel, MTV from Viacom18, announces the highly anticipated return of its iconic desi hip-hop reality show. POCO MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT, co-powered by GOVO Soundbars, T-Series, Wildstone, and Appy Fizz, the latest season will bring unprecedented, fresh rap sounds from all corners of India. The show is set to premiere on 21 October and air every Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 pm on MTV and JioCinema.
Desi hip-hop has found its own voice and following in recent years. The new season acknowledges its growing presence across India, representing its youth, people, and ideologies. As the show has emerged to be the definitive stage for fresh rap talent, ‘India Ab Tumhari Baari’ is the season’s clarion call, urging young India to proudly celebrate the representation of their hood, culture, music, passion, stories, beliefs, issues and even identity. This season is poised to reinforce MTV as a culture catalyst for young India.
Leading the charge once again will be none other than the trailblazing rap supremo and global rap artist Badshah. To hone talent and create industry-ready professionals, eminent Indian rap powerhouses Ikka, Dee MC, Dino James, and EPR will assume the role of Squad Bosses. This time, the stakes will be higher for them, and not just the contestants. Packed with meticulously designed cutting-edge graphics and acoustics, the new season’s performances will have a concert-like vibe, amplifying the excitement and vigour three-fold for fans. Musically inclusive, the songs will also feature regional, folk, Bollywood influences and unplugged versions. Fans can also access their favourite performances on multiple platforms including KaanPhod Music.
The grand success of the previous season, which featured over 100 chartbusters and viral hits, has given an impetus for the latest one to transform into an equalizer bringing underground rap talent with varying degrees of experience, forte and prowess – all on the same stage. Intensifying the competition, the pan-India talent pool will be challenged through different episode themes, to diversify their skill-set, musicality and performances across rap genres like chill hop, lo-fi, trap, jazz, and more.
Viacom18 head – youth, music, and English entertainment Anshul Ailawadi said, “MTV has always been a co-creator in India’s evolving youth story. The stage of MTV Hustle has truly pioneered the desi hip-hop revolution, with a powerful cultural impact across the sub-continent. The new season will represent India’s youth in the truest sense. We’re proud to bring this sonic revolution, across multiple platforms for our audience.”
On this exciting partnership, POCO India country head Himanshu Tandon said, “Rap is more than just music; it’s a powerful expression of the youth’s unyielding spirit. POCO has always been the brand for those who dare to be different, who embrace challenges, and who set new trends. Our association with MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT is a testament to our commitment to understanding and empowering the vibrant energy of the young generation. Through this collaboration, we’re not just sponsoring a show; we’re becoming a part of a cultural movement that resonates deeply with the millennial and Gen Z audience. POCO is thrilled to amplify the voices of India’s rap sensations and contribute to the growth of an art form that speaks volumes about the passion and resilience of our youth.”
Recently the IP was in the news for its ground-breaking global partnership with T-Series. In a first-of-its-kind initiative by a non-fiction IP in India, this partnership provides exclusive music rights for worldwide distribution. Amplifying the vision of building industry-ready rap professionals, the show is committed to empowering artist journeys at a global scale.
For the exciting third season of Hustle 03, JioCinema has planned a range of exciting and engaging interactivities for its viewers. A Fantasy League has been designed that will allow audiences to make their own squad and win points for predicting which contestants will get Radio hit, highest squad scores and who would be eliminated. The person that wins will stand a chance to watch the show live. Adding to the entertainment is a fun a watch and win contest where viewers will be asked one question during the Sunday episode that will allow viewers to win exciting prizes daily. Everyone is aware of the popular meme culture, keeping this in mind, the audience will be given templates from the iconic show on which they can create their own memes. The immersive interactivities above is sure to make this season of Hustle on JioCinema an engaging experience.
Get ready to witness the rise of the next generation of hip-hop stars as they REPRESENT India like never before with POCO MTV Hustle 03 REPRESENT, starting 21 October, every Saturday and Sunday, at 7:00 pm on MTV and JioCinema!
Mumbai: Warner Music has announced the acquisition of the Indian artist management company, E-Positive. The deal further strengthens Warner Music India’s position in independent music and will allow its artists to tap into new expertise in brand partnerships and live events. The company will also continue to maintain the prestigious Indie Music Label as part of its holdings.
E-Positive is home to Darshan Raval, one of the top five most streamed artists in India and the fastest-growing artist in the region, having quadrupled his daily streams in the last 12 months. Raval is renowned for his crossover ability and has released songs in languages including Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and Bengali. His tracks have been streamed more than nine billion times while he has grown his monthly listeners across the DSPs to more than 43 million and garnered 17 million followers on Instagram.
E-Positive will continue to act as a stand-alone company and will be led by founder and CEO, Naushad Khan. Khan is a prominent figure in the live entertainment industry, having built an unrivalled network of contacts while promoting more than 15,000 shows. Since launching E-Positive, he has also been instrumental in managing the careers of many artists including Darshan Raval, who he discovered and developed into a star.
Naushad Khan said: “This is an exciting day in the journey of E-Positive. I’ve worked towards developing a legacy for over 10 years and carved the journey of each one of my artists. I’m delighted that we’ve found a new home at Warner Music India. The team at Warner Music India will help us grow in the international market and will help our artists connect with more fans from around the world. We’re looking forward to the next chapter of E-Positive.”
Warner Music India managing director Jay Mehta added: “Naushad Khan has done an incredible job of positioning E-Positive as a leading management company and his knowledge in brand partnerships and the live sector will be a great asset for us at Warner Music India. And it’s a privilege to welcome such a phenomenal artist like Darshan Raval into the global Warner Music family. Darshan is a true star, and we believe he can become a staple on the global stage.”
Warner Music president of emerging markets Alfonso Perez Soto concluded: “This deal once again reinforces our desire to become the number one destination for artists in India, and welcoming an artist like Darshan onto our roster is a real statement of intent. Darshan, as well as the whole of the E-Positive roster, will be able to collaborate with Warner Music’s global network and start to connect with a wider international audience. This deal helps us to level up and enhance our 360 offering to artists by bringing in the knowledge and expertise of Naushad Khan to the Warner Music family. Our improved suite of services will enable our artists to transcend the whole of India and help bring Indian culture to the rest of the world.”
