World Music Day, celebrated every year on June 21, is a time to reflect on what music truly means. This year, Indian artists across genres are pushing back against the idea that success is measured by streaming numbers and viral moments. Instead, they are redefining good music as something deeply personal, emotional, and honest.
The conversation has shifted. The idea of what makes music “good” has become more subjective, and artists are rejecting industry formulas that prioritize trends over individuality. On World Music Day, female voices across the industry—Shalmali Kholgade, Jasleen Royal, Kayan, DJ Nina Shah, Prateeksha Srivastava, and Lisa Mishra—spoke about how the industry still misunderstands the real value of music, and how artists are navigating a world shaped by both creativity and algorithms.
Good Music is Still About Feeling, Not Formulas
Across the board, artists agree that good music is not defined by trends or charts, but by how deeply it stays with you. Shalmali Kholgade puts it simply: “Good music has always been and continues to be the one that has a lasting impact. It isn’t a flavour of the season. It’s one that you want to keep going back to for one reason or another.” Jasleen Royal shares the same emotional compass: “Good music is still music that moves me and makes me feel something deeply.”
For some, the idea of “good” music has dissolved entirely. Prateeksha Srivastava says, “I don’t think in those terms anymore. There’s just music and whether it gives you something or it doesn’t.” Kayan agrees, saying, “There is no good or bad music. Music is music. We may like something or not like something. That’s subjective and that’s on us. Who are we to dictate what is good music.” DJ Nina Shah adds, “Today, I’m drawn to music that makes me feel something, whether that’s joy or nostalgia, needs to feel connected! Good music doesn’t fit a genre or follow a formula, it just needs to be honest & from the heart.”
These perspectives show a clear shift: music is no longer about classification, but connection.
The Industry’s Blind Spot: Formulas Over Individuality
While the idea of music has evolved, most artists agree that the industry is still catching up. Shalmali points to the pressure of repetition: “I’d say it’s the need to make something that has worked in the past. To force a formula or structure down the creative process is more often than not a fruitless endeavour. It may result in a quick interest, but it doesn’t stand the test of time.” Jasleen highlights another gap—representation and opportunity. “I think we have an incredible amount of female talent today. What I’d love to see more of is an ecosystem that enables and amplifies it. More women in tastemaker roles, leadership positions, and decision-making seats across the industry.”
Lisa Mishra reflects on the balance between industry structure and artistic freedom: “The music industry doesn’t understand that discovery has to happen organically and it can’t be spoon-fed… individuality is ultimately what works, not formulas.” Prateeksha brings it back to the listener’s shift: “The industry is still optimizing for moments, not artists. They’re chasing hits, trends, seasons but the Indian listener has outgrown that. They want someone to follow, not just a song to stream.”
Technology: Expansion or Acceleration?
On technology, the artists don’t take a single side—they see both opportunity and risk. Shalmali views it as a creative accelerator: “Technology is definitely expanding creativity. It depends completely on how one uses technology to explore sounds and express a musical thought.” Jasleen keeps it simple: “It’s definitely changing things. It’s here to stay and we might as well find creative ways to use it.” Kayan sees it as a push toward originality: “I think it’s pushing musicians to be more authentic and creative… and hence pushes me to think more originally.”
DJ Nina Shah offers a more layered view: “I think it’s doing both… it can encourage artists to play it safe or be lazy… making a lot of music these days sound ‘more uniform’… Ultimately, technology is a tool & creativity still comes from the individual.” Lisa Mishra takes a balanced, practical stance on AI: “I like to think of AI as a tool not a creator… we still have to make and the best we should be employing AI for is to help put small pieces together along the way.”
The Real Currency of Modern Artistry: Risk-Taking
If there is one shared concern, it is that artists are becoming less willing to take risks. Shalmali urges artists to be fearless: “To be their authentic selves. To unapologetically say their piece, in the style they choose. To work less with the fear of fitting in, and being part of the current trend.” Jasleen agrees: “Backing themselves. Trusting their instincts instead of constantly chasing trends.” Kayan offers a different kind of risk: “I think we should disconnect to reconnect. We get caught up in social media way too much… but a step back really helps give clarity and peace of mind.”
Prateeksha puts it sharply: “Being specific. Most artists stay vague so everyone can relate. The real risk in my opinion is saying the exact thing, the precise feeling, the one true detail.” Lisa Mishra frames risk as the foundation of creativity itself: “I think we’ve forgotten risk altogether… it just doesn’t make sense because it makes bad music. It makes boring music… The simple risk that we have to take is to take the risk at all and just go back to ground zero.”
Indie Artists on Staying Real in a Viral World
Independent musicians are also demanding cultural honesty and creativity. For Gajendra Verma, finding his sound has been a journey of internal evolution. He explains, “When people hear your music, they should know — this song has to be Gajendra Verma’s. That keeps me focused on my style. I always try to learn new things, to grow within that identity.” Ravator puts it bluntly: “We don’t follow the trends and make mistakes. We try to be as real as we can and we try to depict our own emotions.”
Aditya Rikhari takes a thoughtful approach, framing trends as something backward-looking: “Nobody knows what the trend is. Trend is whoever gets famous. If you just stay true to yourself — if you’ve made a good song or done good work — it will work.” For DigV, the process is spiritual, almost instinctive: “Just go and make music that feels right to you… I honestly just try to stay true to myself. That’s what’s good for my music.” Aanchal Tyagi speaks with clarity about forging her own path: “Being true to yourself only happens when you make music that comes from the heart, not by copying someone else just because it’s working.”
The Rise of Female Voices and Representation
This World Music Day, the spotlight is also on women artists who are carving their own space in the industry. From pop to rap, these voices are redefining the sound of Indian music. W.i.S.H has emerged as one of the most exciting new-age girl bands in India, redefining Indian pop music with songs like Lazeez, Therapy, and Headrush. Reble, a rapper from Meghalaya, has built a reputation for fierce lyricism and raw storytelling with her breakout track Dhurandhar. Lisa Mishra continues to create a unique space with her soothing vocals and emotional depth, with her song Teri Hoon beautifully celebrating LGBTQ+ love. Jasleen Royal remains the voice of a generation with hits like Ranjha and Heeriye.
Aanchal Tyagi also raises a critical point about representation: “There’s very little space for female voices in mainstream music. Even in Bollywood, most of the songs are given to the male singer. The female gets two lines in the second verse – and that’s it. I want more female-centric stories so that female-centric music can rise.”
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What Success Looks Like Now
As one industry observer notes, the shift is from volume to value. Streaming created abundance, but also noise. In this environment, the artists who build decade-long careers are not necessarily the ones with the biggest numbers today. They are the ones building something underneath the numbers—a distinct identity, a genuine community, a reason for fans to keep showing up long after the algorithm has moved on.
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