KOAD’s Desi American Charm Made His Song ‘Deepika’ a Hit

Indo-American rapper KOAD aka Ajay Dodani’s new song “Deepika” was out in April, with its hook talking about falling for Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone even though he doesn’t speak any Hindi.

A few months on, the song’s taken on a new life on Instagram Reels with several Indian and Indian-origin creators using the song’s comedic intro that encapsulates a sometimes cloistered but aware upbringing of Indians in the U.S.

In the time since it’s released, the track has received notable co-signs from the likes of artists SZA and Isaiah Rashad on Instagram, as well as Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, who shared the track with his 47 million followers.

KOAD for his part, is pumped to share more music after gaining traction for his recent release. He says in a statement, “It’s been incredible to see how ‘Deepika’ has connected with people from all over the world. I’m humbled by the response and can’t wait to continue creating music that inspires and uplifts.”

While the song was co-written with Miguel Oliveira and produced by Holly, there’s also a music video that places KOAD jovially stepping out of the Punjabi Grocery and Deli in New York, trying to match moves with a desi uncle. It has all the makings of a typical Indo-American visual that one might expect after years of seeing artists like Heems blow up, but there’s also the “uplifting message” that buoys the song.

“Deepika” marks a much-needed return for KOAD, who was away for three years due to health issues. He’s previously hit the mark with songs like “Enuff” and “Jaunty” in 2021.

Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, KOAD is a self-taught artist who began making music at the age of 13. A press release states that he draws from “classic hip-hop albums to timeless Bollywood soundtracks.” The release adds, “He’s unafraid to leverage his unique identity to bring a refreshing perspective to modern hip-hop.”

Watch the video for “Deepika” below.