BADSHAH THE ARCHITECT OF A NEW SOUND

Ahead of his debut Paagal World Tour to North America, our Editor-in-Chief, Ramesh Somani, caught up with music mogul, entrepreneur and philanthropist Badshah, real name Aditya Sisodia, to celebrate his feature as Exhibit’s 18th Anniversary cover star.

- Ramesh Somani

The 38-year-old critically acclaimed singer-songwriter and rapper is not just hailed as one of the most influential music juggernauts of current times in India, but his influence has demonstrably propelled him to international acclaim. A true genre-bender and global pop culture icon, he unites fans across the globe with his vibrant fusion of Bollywood soundscapes and contemporary hip-hop music that transcends racial, religious and regional boundaries.

One of India’s most recognised and exported artists, Badshah enjoys a following exceeding 25 million on Spotify alone. Across his extensive catalogue, he has garnered a staggering 3 billion audio streams and 9 billion video views. He is also positioned among the top ten most-followed Indian artists on Spotify globally, with his listenership experiencing a noteworthy 30% year-on-year growth in 2024. Over the years, he has partnered with a distinguished roster of artists, including J Balvin, Tainy, Sean Paul, and industry giants like Major Lazer, Diplo, Tiesto, Lil Baby, and Mikey McCleary. Following the release of his third studio album, Ek Tha Raja, which celebrates his decade-long career in the music industry, we delve into the life of this enigmatic artist. The following interview promises to unveil the life choices and mindsets that have shaped one of the 21st-century’s most accomplished hitmakers.

Ramesh Somani: Your third studio album, Ek Tha Raja celebrates 10 years of brand Badshah. How does it feel when you look back at your journey?

Badshah: Blessed! It’s a constant journey of self-discovery and evolution, and I’m grateful for all the wins as I am for the failures. God has been kind to me. The universe and the fans are blessing me for all the years I stayed humble, played my part, supported the community and grinded it out.