Taking an observant look at the fast climbers of the independent music scene in the country, you will find a handful of names who have turned things upside down for themselves and truly seized this year by climbing the ranks of artistry. Such an artist is Akhil OSO, an independent artist fully dedicated to representing India and its culture through his music, which blends hip-hop and traditional Indian sounds in an attempt to make his own mark while simultaneously putting the true sound of our country on the map.
Born and brought up in Bangalore, Akhil picked up the ways of a musician at an early age and showed true talent from then on. A type of musician who likes to create freely, he merges the boundaries of genre, with a catalogue that ranges across different styles. Through sheer dedication to his craft, Akhil OSO has become one of the hottest rising acts in the country—a “must-see” artist who has been on a streak of releases since July in an attempt to be signed by Russ’s label. Since his announcement about this mission, Akhil has been releasing a track every single week.
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While he has released some amazing tracks like Kick Me to the Curb and Heart Line this year, it wouldn’t be a hot take to say that the artist’s latest release, Ganga, is his most ambitious, vulnerable, and bold project of the year—and within his own catalog as well. He spent the past few years working on Ganga and had it mixed over 60 times to reach the final product, as he mentioned in an Instagram post announcing the track’s release.
Akhil presents Ganga as a refined product of all his influences. From his musical inspirations, nationality, and the culture surrounding him, he builds the track’s theme on these pillars while ultimately grappling with the question, “Who is he?” This internal turmoil, touching every aspect of his life, is a feeling many of us can relate to in today’s world. Akhil’s vision is to evoke that sense of being alone and lost, which he captures vividly in both the track and the accompanying music video.
The track opens with a monologue reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar’s Hiipower, with a similar vocal tone and vibe. The monologue dives into the dichotomy of life, a central theme that Akhil weaves throughout his verses and that serves as a divider of perspectives in the music video. Shifting from the monologue to the first verse, the song starts on a somewhat positive note, as if the artist is reminding himself of who he is and where he comes from. He repeatedly tells himself to breathe as he gasps for air, creating a tense, fight-or-flight atmosphere.
As the song progresses, the theme of cyclical depression emerges. The production intensifies, using various Indian percussions, including tabla, which adds weight as the track builds. Akhil’s vocals become muffled, evoking a feeling of being choked or suppressed by his own thoughts, as his lyrics reflect this internal struggle. The immersive experience Akhil creates through the production, video, and lyrics conveys the cycle of depression, inviting listeners to dive deeper to understand it.
Eventually, there’s a transition where Akhil’s “demons” seem to take full control, his voice growing stronger and emitting a demonic energy as he questions, “Who’s your prophet, son?”—a striking contrast to the initial tone.
Conceptual music may not be the most mainstream or celebrated, but it is undoubtedly impactful. Akhil threads his culture, personal struggles, and the broader dichotomies of life through Ganga in a way that feels both refreshing and necessary in today’s music landscape.
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