COVER STORY: KSHMR – Inspiring a Generation with Melodies and Meaning

KSHMR—real name Niles Hollowell-Dhar—isn’t just a maestro behind the music; he’s in fact a testament to humility and genuine connection. His arrival at the Rolling Stone India office in Mumbai a few days before the launch of his new album, Karam, wasn’t just a mere celebrity sighting; it was a glimpse into the person behind the global DJ phenomenon.

As Niles stepped out of a rickshaw on November 1st, there was an air of understated grace about him. Rather than a grand entrance, it was a quiet arrival that spoke volumes about his unassuming nature. Engaging with everyone present, Niles—born in California—exuded a warmth that immediately dissolved any semblance of intimidation. His demeanor—a fusion of kindness, humor, and compassion—set the tone for an interview that felt less like a formality and more like a heart-to-heart conversation.

Niles’s, aka KSHMR’s, approach to music offers a glimpse into the intricate creative process that shaped his latest chart-topping album Karam, particularly his collaborative efforts with esteemed Indian artists such as Seedhe Maut, Raftaar, Ikka, MC Stan, Yashraj, Raja Kumari, fellow Kashmiri rapper KR$NA, and Dabzee, among others. The “Haath Varthi” hitmaker said that his normal music-making process starts by finding the right melody or the instrument that he really likes. “Once I crack that, I go on to build a whole song.”

However, what sets Karam apart from all the other work he’s ever done is the collaborative nature of this project. “It was different doing this album because it’s so collaborative.” Niles said he wanted to go into this project “prepared,” but “also be open to the ideas” of the people he was working with. He revealed that he traveled to India with a total of 60 beats. “I then spent time with various artists over a span of 10 days” to build the main album. “My main goal was to not be stubbornly prepared that would hinder the other artist’s creativity. There’s so much talent in this album that it was best for me to sort of get out of their way.”

Niles’s willingness to step back and allow other artists’ voices to shine speaks volumes about his respect for their craft. His emphasis on not being rigidly prepared and allowing room for the organic flow of creativity reflects a humility and understanding that nurturing collaborative spaces often yields exceptional artistic outcomes.

In fact, within the music industry, KSHMR’s reputation precedes him. The sentiment echoed by industry heads, labeling Niles as “the greatest producer of our generation,” underscores the magnitude of his impact. The founder and CEO of talent management agency REPRESENT, Aayushman Sinha, recalled a conversation he had with Niles in 2022 about all the hip-hop beats he’d been working on (which would later be used in Karam). “Niles’s passion was infectious,” Sinha told Rolling Stone India. “[The artist] then said something that’s stuck with me for really long. ‘You’ve always been there for me and not asked for any gain, I’d love it if you would join my project as an executive producer and help put it together.’” Sinha was emotional and instantly said yes. “Niles already had a massive head start making these epic beats, we got to work right away.”

Mass Appeal India’s A&R senior label coordinator Ranbir Kapoor, a good friend of Niles, talked about the receptive nature of the artist. “I’ve never seen Niles get pissed or have a frown on his face. He’s really kind to everybody and that’s something a lot of artists can learn from him. You are never really too big to be a decent human being, you know? He’s one of those.” Kapoor said, adding that KSHMR made him “fall in love with the creation of music all over again.” As a musician and drummer, Kapoor acknowledged that his job does not normally allow him to “compose and create music as much as” he used to, hence, collaborating with Niles wasn’t just about producing music; it was a revitalizing experience. The joy of waking up each day knowing that the duo was crafting something together speaks to the power of creative synergy and the fulfillment derived from a shared musical journey.

“Niles has only been growing and evolving in his career as a musician. Right from being a DJ, songwriter, rapper, and record producer, he has achieved a lot. There is an entire generation out there that samples his beats. He has legendary collabs to his repertoire, and now he has dropped the biggest hip-hop album in India, which has been on top of Apple charts for days,” added Sandeep Patil, the Vice President of Marketing and Label Operations at Mass Appeal India (the record label that helped bring Karam to reality).

Speaking with Niles wasn’t just about music; it was an exchange of ideas, stories, and laughter. Time seemed to slip away as the conversation flowed effortlessly, touching upon various topics, from music to life experiences, as if reconnecting with an old friend after years apart.

Niles’s journey to becoming KSHMR wasn’t just about musical evolution but also a transformation in recognizing the significance of maintaining personal connections amidst a demanding career. His initial dedication to his craft, driven by an intense desire to succeed in a competitive industry, led him to prioritize work above all else. “I pretty much gave up my life and most of my friends remembered me from the back of my head,” the “La Vida” hitmaker said. In those formative stages, the pursuit of his musical dreams consumed much of his time and energy, inadvertently distancing him from personal relationships. It was through a pivotal relationship that Niles came to a profound realization about the importance of balancing work and personal life. The lessons learned from a former relationship served as a poignant reminder that success in one aspect of life shouldn’t come at the expense of neglecting the relationships that truly matter. “Loving someone teaches you that you need to make time for them,” he said. “You need to spend time with your people, there’s no substitute.” On similar lines, the artist also advised everyone else to “keep your loved ones close.”

The wisdom gleaned from that experience resonates deeply in Niles’s advice to others. His emphasis on cherishing and nurturing relationships echoes the understanding that success, whether in music or any pursuit, finds its true meaning when shared with loved ones.

Niles’s ability to foster an environment where creativity thrives extends beyond his musical talent. It’s about instilling a sense of passion and purpose in those around him, reaffirming that the heart of music lies not just in the final product but in the joy of the creative process itself.

In a world where the demands of the industry can sometimes overshadow the love for creation, Niles’s influence as a collaborator and a source of inspiration echoes the sentiment that the essence of music lies in the joy it brings both to the creator and the listener. His impact exceeds a typical collaboration, leaving a lasting imprint on those fortunate enough to work alongside him.