A New Song Series Pairs Nanku and Karun, Pho and Bagi Munda and More

Even as the Indian independent music realm grows wider and wider, the circles can still overlap – the artists involved in a new campaign for Converse India called Connect with the Unexpected are proof of that.

Across four songs made by a pair of hip-hop, pop and R&B artists, there are bosom friends like New Delhi’s Karun and Nanku (“Capital”) and previously-acquainted artists including Pho and Bagi Munda (“Huliya”), but also new explorations between Krameri and Dhanji (“Express Ways”) and The Siege and Aksomaniac (“Her Vacation”) for the campaign.

The result is familiar, fresh and everything in between. The previously released “Capital” from January is all about life in Delhi, seen through the lens of Karun and Nanku’s own lived experiences. On “Huliya,” Bagi Munda pours his heart out, as does Pho in their distinctive styles. “Her Vacation” blends Aksomaniac aka Aron Kollassani Selestin’s R&B with The Siege aka Siegen Moopanar’s Hinglish hip-hop in the best way possible, with a surprising vocal addition of Arch Quasar.

The most infectious song of the lot, however, remains “Express Ways,” a lilting, calming track that could just be Dhanji at his mellowest, thanks to Krameri’s measured approach to production and her Indian classical-informed hook. Krameri says that being able to converse in Gujarati with Dhanji was an icebreaker. Both artists termed the project a challenge that they were more than happy to dive into.

Krameri says, “While I delved into Hindustani classical vocals, he brought his unique rap style to the table. Despite these differences, we shared a common goal which was the willingness to explore new territories and infuse our individuality into any genre we tackled.” Dhanji adds, “We spent significant time discussing our lives and beliefs, which laid the foundation for our collaboration. Once we established a connection, the music-making process flowed naturally.”

For Karun and Nanku, “Capital” as part of Converse India’s Connect with the Unexpected was an “extension of our creative journey together.” Being close collaborators for nearly a decade now, Karun says they didn’t just rely on their “natural synergy” but focused on a specific theme – their connection to Delhi – for the song. Nanku adds, “What made this particular project unique was its topic and the association with Converse. We wanted to approach the songwriting process differently this time by engaging in collective writing. By bouncing ideas back and forth, we were able to draw out the best from each other.”

Pho says partnering with Bagi Munda on “Huliya” (produced by Dox) “felt destined” – they had linked up to discuss a potential collaboration just days before they were approached for this campaign. Pho says, “Bagi’s hunger, drive, and vision mirror my own values, fostering an immediate sense of camaraderie.” Munda adds, “Breaking the ice wasn’t necessary, as Pho was already familiar with my work, and I admired her journey in the music industry.” Together, they penned down their individual and shared experiences gleaned early on in the music industry.

Coming from Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram, respectively, The Siege and Aksomaniac were far from each other’s radars until this campaign brought them together. Aksomaniac went through a lot of The Siege’s discography before their first call together. One common ground the artists shared was writing vulnerable music. Aksomaniac says, “During our video call, I openly shared where I was in life and encouraged him to do the same, emphasizing that our collaboration couldn’t succeed without this openness […] Thankfully, he reciprocated this openness, laying the foundation for our collaboration.”

The Siege says it’s often daunting to be open and show one’s true self to a stranger, but adds that making “Her Vacation” was a rewarding experience. He adds, “I feel breaking the ice was facilitated by embracing goofiness and humor. We shed our inhibitions, acted like kids, and shared jokes, which helped create a relaxed atmosphere. Credit goes to Aron’s extroverted nature, which made it easier for me to open up and be myself.”