Mishaal Advani’s ‘Royal Oak’ Takes Aim at His Doubters

Mumbai-born, U.S.-based artist Mishaal Advani shouts out his family – including sister and actor Kiara Advani – and rapper Capital Steez among others on his latest song “Royal Oak.”

His fourth single ever since he made his debut in 2022 with the apt introductory song “Know My Name,” Advani has written and produced “Royal Oak,” bringing regal strings not unlike the ones that fuel melodrama in Bollywood soundtracks.

The video shot by Cian Dias sees Advani rap about identity, ambition, societal critique and personal growth, amid church architecture. “This Indian boy became America’s child/But nothing over the Bom that’s where my parents reside/My sister’s taking care of em whenever I fly,” he raps early on in the song.

Advani started off with unadulterated rap on “Know My Name” in 2022, but swerved in different directions with singles like the mind-bending “Muse” and the dancefloor-friendly “Move,” which leaned towards dark pop with electronic influences.

“Royal Oak,” however, returns to Advani’s love for rap. While the Capital Steez reference is a mark of Advani’s deeper love for hip-hop, he also name-checks his other influences, including the Beatles, Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur.

A press release offers by way of background for Advani, describing the 29-year-old as a Mumbai-born artist who began writing music when he was 13 years old. “After studying Music and Computer Science at Brown University, he honed his craft and began performing his original compositions around New York City. Known for his clever lyricism and distinctive flow, Mishaal’s music transcends genres, captivating audiences with its depth and versatility,” the release adds.

Watch the video for “Royal Oak”