In an exclusive conversation with The Pioneer, rising indie sensation Kushagra opens up about his serendipitous entry into the music world, the emotional pulse behind his viral hit Finding Her and how staying true to his heart—and sound—has defined his journey
Tejal Sinha
tejal.sinha30@gmail.com
His voice has quietly taken over social media—soundtracking reels, late-night playlists and deeply personal moments. It’s the sound of indie music at its most vulnerable and visceral and it belongs to Kushagra. In a space often defined by trends, his music offers something rare: sincerity. With songs rooted in emotion, observation and experience, he’s emerging as one of the most relatable voices in India’s thriving independent music scene.
Kushagra’s musical journey didn’t begin with strategy or intention—it began with a borrowed phone and a best friend. “My first video on Instagram was totally unintentional,” he recalls. “I didn’t even know it was uploaded.” At the time, he didn’t own a phone. While in class 9, he had recorded a cover of Aadat on his mother’s phone. His best friend—still by his side today—secretly uploaded the video after creating an Instagram account for him. The video unexpectedly went viral, setting off a chain of events that would shape his career. “I was a very shy boy who never thought of making a social media account or posting anything. When the video started going viral, he told me, ‘You are gaining followers, now you should handle this account and start posting regularly.’”
Years later, it was another spontaneous moment that birthed Finding Her, one of Kushagra’s most beloved tracks. Originally, he had been working on a completely different song built on an Afrobeat. “I composed something on that,” he says, “but just after finishing it, Bharat Bhai played the Finding Her beat. Suddenly, a new composition came to my mind and I created it right there.” Initially, he wanted to return to the Afrobeat track, but his producer urged him to go with the moment. “He said, ‘We can work on that later; I’m feeling more connected to this one. Let’s do this now.’”
What followed was a burst of creativity that surprised even him. Finding Her came together in just 7–8 minutes—both written and composed. “It felt very unreal to me,” he shares. “It’s the fastest song I’ve ever created. My best friend Pratham was with me at the time… even he was shocked. I believe that sometimes it’s not just us—it’s a blessing from God. That day, everything just aligned.”
But Kushagra’s relationship with music began long before virality found him. A live concert by KK left a lasting impression on him as a child. “I was really fascinated by the huge setup at KK Sir’s concert. I was a kid, seeing something like that for the first time, and when he sang, I was completely amazed. That day, I became his fan—and I still am.” Inspired, he began practicing for six hours a day, covering songs by KK and Kailash Kher. “My voice also improved with time and I think I had a good voice from the start, thanks to my mother—she sings beautifully too.”
When asked how he defines his musical identity, he doesn’t speak in genres but in emotions. “I would say my sound is all about emotions and storytelling. It’s a mix of soul, indie, and pop, but more than the genre, it’s the feeling behind the music that defines it.” He doesn’t follow formulas. Instead, he draws from everyday life—observations, surroundings, and the stories of others. “I write from things happening around me and try to turn those into stories people can connect with. My focus is always on making the listener feel something.”
That emotional sincerity is what made Finding Her resonate so widely. “I’m very, very grateful that the song has been loved by so many people,” he says. “The lyrics really resonated because they’re relatable. I had posted the poster of the song and wrote, ‘It’s not a song; it’s the story of us.’” Its universal theme of love and loss struck a chord with listeners across age groups and backgrounds.
Relatability remains a guiding principle in his creative process. “Whether it’s writing, composing, or what my team writes, it should feel personal to the listener. People should feel like, ‘Yes, this is my story.’” Whether listeners are reflecting on heartbreak or chasing hope, Kushagra aims to meet them where they are.
Though Finding Her felt like a solo burst of inspiration, he credits teamwork for elevating the track. “Pratham wasn’t officially part of the collaboration, but he was there, giving suggestions. The official collaboration was between me, Sahil Bhai and Bharat Bhai.” For Kushagra, collective creativity brings dimension to the work. “Even if I write 50% of the song, someone from my team contributes too. That way, I get different inputs and creative angles that help the song grow.”
Being an independent artist has given him the creative space to experiment and evolve. “There are no restrictions. I can write whatever I want and use any instrument I feel suits the song,” he explains. His discography reflects this freedom: from the upbeat Dard and Dhol Sipahiya to the introspective Rozaana and the emotive Finding Her. “I’ve done around 12–13 original songs and each one stands apart. That’s something I’m really proud of.”
Support from celebrities and influencers on social media has also helped his music reach wider audiences. “I really, really appreciate it when they use my song in their posts or reels,” he says. “Even if they don’t tag me, just using my music is support—it helps a lot, especially because they have such a big reach. I always send a big thank-you message to them. It’s a very humble and kind gesture that really boosts me as an artist.” Despite reaching over 40 million streams globally, Kushagra stays grounded in his approach. “I don’t feel pressure when it comes to creating authentic music. It just happens naturally, by God’s grace.” He’s quick to dismiss any mechanical process behind his songs. “Music is not about using the mind too much—it’s about the heart. If I wanted to work with my mind, I’d be in an IT job.”
This belief also explains how he manages such prolific output. “I make 10 songs in a week, but only 1 or 2 turn out to be special. That’s how I know it’s not just me—God plays a big role in it.”
Among his musical inspirations, The Local Train stands out for their “soundscape” and emotional clarity. “They create music within a certain frequency or essence that really speaks to people,” he says. It’s a lesson he’s carried forward in his own work. “As an artist, it’s important to have your own sound, your own frequency. When that is present, the audience connects not just with your music but also with you as a person.”
Interestingly, though Kushagra’s lyrics are often deeply emotional, they’re not always autobiographical. “I don’t really write from my own personal experiences. Instead, I observe what’s happening around me—real situations, real emotions that I see in others,” he explains. “I’m not heartbroken right now, but I’ve seen people around me go through it. I absorb that and try to express it through my songs.”
Looking ahead, his vision is clear—though not mapped out in milestones. “I don’t have a set plan for how I’ll grow as an artist. My main focus is just to make good music and keep improving every day.” For Kushagra, the goal is simple yet profound: “I want to wake up tomorrow and feel like I’ve become better than I was yesterday. Whether it’s my lyrics, my music, or my performance—I just want to give my best.”
