Exclusive Release: Indian Fusion/R&B from The Fortune and Guatemalan Singer Lucia Valdes

In between his nonstop duties providing medical care for COVID-19 patients, Dr. Dhananj Shivganesh is a musician with multi-genre duo The Fortune. Formed in 2013 as a college outfit, it now exists as a duo between multi-instrumentalist Shivganesh and producer/sound engineer Nikhil Pradip.

Although they went on a hiatus when their work and study commitments taking them to different parts of the country, The Fortune’s early sound was influenced by hip-hop as well as R&B, something that you can hear on their 2014 single “Speed of Light” as well as their new song “Not Here For You.” Relying entirely on internet collaborations ever since they began releasing music earlier this year, The Fortune has called on Guatemala singer Lucia Valdes for a buoyant, sitar-infused track that draws from R&B artists such as Frank Ocean and Miguel on the production front. Adding another country to the map for this track, the duo worked with South African bassist/lyricist Greg Van Kerkhof for the lyrics to “Not Here For You.” 

While songs like “Covid Unnis” and “All Eyes” have brought in singers and rappers alike for topical lyrics, “Not Here For You” flips the idea of a relationship, with Valdes singing about how she won’t be there for someone who won’t do right by her. Shivganesh says that he contacted Valdes after finding her via Instagram, where he regularly scouts for musicians to collaborate with. For the music video, The Fortune went one step further and sourced dance troupes via Instagram as well as talent marketplace Fiverr. There’s a catchy hook, plus featured dancers that add elements of interpretation and motion to the song, making it a song to groove to at home. The Fortune also describe it as a “subtle nod to women empowerment.” Watch the lyric video below.

Watch the video for “Not Here For You” below. The song is out on all platforms on December 4th. Pre-add here.