KSHMR Returns to India This Week for Road to Ultra Shows in Mumbai and Bengaluru

If you know “Like A G6” by Far East Movement, it’s not so surprising to hear Indian-origin producer and DJ KSHMR say he’s into hip-hop. After all, he was part of The Cataracs, who produced the platinum-selling 2010 party song. KSHMR aka Niles Hollowell-Dhar is even seen in the video, partying down in the club.

KSHMR’s next album will see his hip-hop chops come to the front once again, on the back of singles like 2022’s “Lion Heart” featuring DIVINE and LIT Killah, Jeremy Oceans and Karra. So far, there are several of Indian hip-hop’s topline confirmed to appear on the album, whose title is yet to be announced. That includes DIVINE, MC Stan, KING, Raja Kumari, Seedhe Maut, Hanumankind, Yashraj, D’Evil and producers like Karan Kanchan, among others.

As much as the album is a timely reminder about KSHMR’s roots, he’s very much a dance music mainstay, given that he’s coming back to India as top billing for the Road to Ultra festival concerts in Mumbai (April 14th) and Bengaluru (April 15th). With performances by house frontrunners like Afrojack and James Hype included, KSHMR’s visit to India will also see him shoot a music video for a song off his upcoming album. Below, he speaks to us about the next record, his association with Ultra music festival and hip-hop. Excerpts:

You’re a fully regular visitor to India, especially since things opened up after the pandemic lockdowns. What is it like having an open line of communication with artists and the industry folks here?

Well, I love India, you know, I’ve been visiting regularly since I was a kid. And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve made so many friends to music. And for this new album that I’m working on, I’ve gotten to work with my favorite guys in the hip-hop scene. And they’ve put their faith in me, thankfully, to create this album that combines so many talented artists from all different sides of India.

You said that the Feeding India concert was one for the books, considering how many featured artists you brought on stage. How do you look back at that show?

That was one of my favorite shows. I was nervous, in a way. It was my first time that I was presenting this new music to people. But I think they received it really well. And it gave the Internet lots of fodder to keep the fans busy until the album comes out.

Is this something you’re intending on replicating for your Road to Ultra shows?

There’s not going to be as many guest performers, but I’m definitely going to be playing this new music from the Indian hip-hop album I’m making, because I’m so excited about it.

You had the live orchestral experience setup for Ultra 2022 What are your favorite experiences from the festival that’s gotten so massive that has gone global all the way to India?

You mentioned it right there. The live orchestral experience, doing that at Ultra… I’ve done it two times. Now it’s my favorite kind of show to play. There’s always been a cinematic quality to my songs. So to have them reinvented with strings, brass, flutes and with taiko drums, just gives them a new life. It makes it so exciting.

There have been a lot of hints dropped about your hip-hop album. How has it shaped up so far? And what stage is it at right now?

The stage that we’re at right now is pretty much done. I mean, I’m getting it mixed and mastered… there are a few little blanks to fill in, in terms of the actual composition of the song. But for the most part, it’s all ready to go. We’re shooting a music video while I’m in India for these Ultra shows for the first single. I’m just so excited for the world to hear this music.

As someone who’s traversed a range of styles over the years, what drew you to making a hip-hop album, one that’s mostly rooted in Indian languages?

Starting out in music, hip-hop was the only genre that I liked, that I wanted to produce. And I would come to India and I would make my dadaji buy me CDs from… I forget what it was called. Like Music Planet or CD Planet or something like that.

I’d be there buying a Cam’ron CD or a Nas CD and feeling like this was just for me. I mean, nobody around me in India seemed to be interested in hip-hop. And then to come back after all these years and see that there’s this huge, blossoming exploding hip-hop scene in India was like almost, I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to be a part of it and I wanted to just immerse myself in it. I fell in love with some of the rappers that are on the album, and went from being a fan of them to a collaborator with them. I’m just so grateful that they’ve placed their faith in me to create such an ambitious project.

Are there any more projects coming up in 2023?

This Indian hip-hop album is the one foremost on my mind. But after that, I’ll be going back to dance music and I have a lot of ideas and new passion for what I can do in the world of dance music.

KSHMR performs at Road to Ultra in Mumbai on April 14th and in Bengaluru on April 15th. Get details here.