Music

How AI is Shaping the Future of Indian Music

From the corridors of Bollywood to the home studios of independent musicians, the Indian music industry is experiencing a transformation powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). It’s not just about automation anymore—it’s about collaboration between artists and algorithms.

As the demand for content explodes across OTT platforms, indie labels, and social media, AI is becoming a composer’s secret weapon, helping with everything from beat production to mastering, lyric writing to music distribution. So, how exactly is AI changing the game in India—and what are the tools shaping this sonic revolution Hashtag Magazine gives you a lowdown…

Why Musicians Are Embracing AI

Traditionally, music creation involved hours of manual labor—writing melodies, programming beats, editing vocals, mixing, and mastering. But today’s music ecosystem requires speed and scale. That’s where AI steps in.

In India, where genres range from Bollywood, hip-hop, and folk to EDM and Carnatic fusion, AI tools are allowing artists to:

Compose faster with melody generators
Experiment with genres and sounds
Polish tracks professionally without expensive studios
Collaborate remotely
Reach the market sooner

As independent musicians continue to rise, AI becomes not a replacement for creativity, but a collaborative co-pilot.

Top AI-Powered Tools for Indian Music Composers

Here’s a curated list of the latest AI apps and platforms transforming the music creation process in India:

1. Boomy

Best for: Indie artists & songwriters
Boomy allows users to create full-length original songs using AI—within minutes. You pick a mood and genre, and Boomy generates music. It’s perfect for creators who want to focus on lyricism and storytelling without getting too technical with production.

Indian edge: Several Indian indie artists are using Boomy to build demos quickly and test audience reaction on Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.

2. LALAL.AI

Best for: Music producers & remix artists
This AI tool allows you to isolate vocals, instruments, and stems from any song. Want to sample a classic Kishore Kumar hook or remix an AR Rahman instrumental? LALAL.AI makes it legal, fast, and efficient.

Trending: Lo-fi remixes of old Hindi songs have been booming—and this is one of the tools behind it.

3. Voice-Swap.ai

Best for: Vocalists, singers & playback creators
Voice-Swap lets you train your voice model or “swap” it with a celebrity-sounding one. Imagine creating a Punjabi track and testing how it would sound in Sidhu Moosewala’s voice—or emulating Shreya Ghoshal’s tone for a demo.

Bollywood meets Tech: Producers are now pitching tracks with AI vocals before hiring real talent, saving time and money in pre-production.

4. Amper Music (by Shutterstock)

Best for: Background scores & ad jingles
Amper allows users to compose royalty-free music instantly. It’s ideal for creators making short films, YouTube content, and digital ads, where quick, customizable background music is needed.

Made in India: Digital marketing firms in Mumbai and Bangalore have started integrating Amper into client campaigns.

5. Endlesss & BandLab

Best for: Remote music collaborations
Platforms like Endlesss allow real-time music collaboration, jamming, and beat-building. BandLab includes AI mastering tools, auto-tune, MIDI suggestions, and a cloud-based DAW.

For India’s bedroom producers: These tools are helping creators in tier-2 cities reach professional output without expensive studio gear.

AI x Bollywood: The New Frontier

Bollywood, always ahead on sound innovation, is now cautiously exploring AI. Producers are using AI tools for:

Creating temp scores during script development
Testing multiple versions of the same track with different arrangements
Auto-tuning and AI-assisted mastering for faster turnarounds

Rumor has it that certain recent dance hits have used AI-generated basslines and beat loops, polished later by human composers.

Even lyric generators—like These Lyrics Do Not Exist—are gaining traction, helping create rhymes and couplets that are later tweaked by human writers.

The Debate: Human Touch vs. Algorithm

While AI brings speed and efficiency, many fear the loss of emotion, soul, and cultural nuance. After all, music is more than math. It’s identity.

That’s why most Indian composers are using AI to assist, not replace. Think of AI as your musical intern—great at execution, but it still needs your vision.

The Future Sounds Like This

As AI tools become more accessible and localized, expect to see:

AI trained on Indian ragas and classical compositions
Voice models that mimic Indian languages and accents
More indie acts breaking out with AI-powered albums

And maybe one day—an AI-generated Bollywood song that tops the charts.

Final Note

AI isn’t killing Indian music—it’s turbocharging it. For those willing to adapt, innovate, and play with new tools, the future of music is limitless, borderless, and genre-fluid.

And in the end, whether it’s a classical thumri or a trap beat—the emotion will always come from the human heart. AI? It’s just the amplifier.

April 29, 2025

Badshah: The Rise of India’s Pop King

Whether you hear him booming from wedding speakers or blasting in luxury clubs in Dubai, there’s no missing Badshah. With his signature blend of Punjabi swagger, Bollywood hooks, and international production value, Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia, better known by his stage name Badshah, has become a musical phenomenon—not just in India but across the globe. From engineering classrooms to headlining world tours, Badshah’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and relentless rhythm. Hashtag magazine deep dives into his journey, his sound, and his global concert circuit. The Beginning: From Math to Mic Badshah didn’t always plan to be a rap superstar. Born in Delhi in 1985, he studied civil engineering at PEC Chandigarh, but music was always his true calling. Early influences ranged from Eminem and Tupac to Punjabi folk and Bollywood classics. His first musical stint was as a member of Mafia Mundeer, alongside fellow rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh. But in 2012, Badshah broke away to pursue a solo career—marking the beginning of a new era in Indian pop and hip-hop. The Breakthrough Hits Badshah exploded onto the scene with “Saturday Saturday” and “Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai”, setting the tone for a brand of music that was bold, bass-heavy, and Bollywood-ready. Unlike his predecessors, he wasn’t trying to be just a rapper—he was building a soundtrack for India’s nightlife and new-age youth. What followed were back-to-back chartbusters: His songs routinely dominate wedding playlists, club scenes, and social media trends alike—making him India’s streaming superstar. Global Domination & Concert Tours Badshah’s popularity isn’t limited to Indian shores. His music has found a home with diaspora communities in Dubai, Canada, the U.S., the UK, Australia, and Southeast Asia—countries where his live concerts attract massive crowds. His Paagal World Tour was a turning point, with sold-out shows in London,

Music

Global Beats: 7 Indian Artists Who Took the World Stage by Storm

India’s cultural depth and sonic richness have always been influential, but in the last decade, a fresh wave of Indian artists has pushed beyond borders to captivate global audiences. From classical maestros to contemporary trailblazers, these artists have not only performed on international stages but also earned critical acclaim, redefining how the world sees Indian music. Hashtag Magazine lists seven incredible Indian artists who’ve toured internationally and become global ambassadors of sound, soul, and style. 1. AR Rahman – The Global Maestro No list of globally successful Indian artists is complete without AR Rahman. The Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer has taken Indian music to an international level with his epic compositions for Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, and Million Dollar Arm. His world tours, from the US to Europe and the Middle East, sell out stadiums. Known as the “Mozart of Madras,” Rahman’s seamless blending of Indian classical with electronica, gospel, and global pop makes him a true musical visionary. Highlights: 2. Shilpa Rao – The Global Voice of Soul Shilpa Rao, known for her emotive voice and genre-bending collaborations, has quietly become one of India’s most respected vocalists on the global stage. Her Grammy-nominated project with Anoushka Shankar on Love Letters brought her international recognition. From Coke Studio Pakistan to her soulful tracks in Bollywood, Shilpa blends Indian emotion with global sensibility, performing across Europe, North America, and the UAE. Highlights: Grammy-nominated for Love Letters Collaborated with Anoushka Shankar, Amit Trivedi, and Noori 3. Nucleya – The Bass Raja Who Broke the Rules If anyone has redefined Indian electronic music on the world stage, it’s Nucleya. Starting with his cult EP Koocha Monster, he turned Indian streetsounds, festival beats, and EDM into a global genre of its own. His explosive performances have wowed audiences at international music festivals like Sunburn, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Bacardi NH7