Ananya Birla and Offset Collab on Pop Song ‘Cuffed (Jo Tha Mila)’

Indian pop artist Ananya Birla calls on rapper Offset for a buoyant new Hindi-English crossover collab on “Cuffed (Jo Tha Mila),” which arrives as Birla announces a new record deal with music company BMG.

In the lo-fi-leaning pop and hip-hop song, Birla and Offset (formerly of rap group Migos) both address what it feels like to be in love with a version of a person that doesn’t exist any longer. The feel-good pop earworm also enlists singer-songwriter Harjaas Harjayi and producer Saurabh Lokhande on writing credits. An animated video for the song is expected to drop later today.

Birla says in a statement about signing to BMG and releasing her latest song, “BMG’s trust in my craft, coupled with Offset joining forces on the track, highlights their dedication in spotlighting Indian talent. I’m extremely grateful that I can continue to be a small part of propelling the South Asian narrative and fostering cross cultural collaborative exchanges. In BMG I have truly found an international partner who understands me as an artist and doesn’t want me to be anything other than who I am. It was an absolute pleasure to team up with Offset. I hope you enjoy the song.”

Currently prepping for his upcoming U.S. tour, Offset – who performed a short but high-energy set at his India debut in Bengaluru in December 2022 – said in his statement, “I’ve always been intrigued by India, the people, the music and the culture. I’m pumped to kickstart a relationship with India with this collaboration with Ananya. Sending a big shoutout to all my Indian fans.”

Birla’s record deal with BMG is described in a press release as a “long-term partnership that includes licensing, marketing and distribution.” By signing with BMG, Birla is the first Indian-origin female artist in the company which boasts a recording catalogue of of artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Kylie Minogue, Black Sabbath, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Iron Maiden, Rita Ora and Louis Tomlinson, amongst others.

BMG’s vice president of A&RBrandon Riester adds in a statement, “When collaborating with an artist, it is crucial for me to adopt a global perspective. Ananya’s remarkable artistry, exceptional musicality, and visionary approach perfectly align with BMG’s mission to make inroads into the rapidly expanding streaming market in India.”

Listen to “Cuffed (Jo Tha Mila)” below and on more streaming platforms here.