Your first song won’t earn numbers—it’ll earn fans who stay till the end: King

He calls himself ‘King’—and he sure lives up to the name. From topping the charts to ruling hearts, his voice has become the soundtrack to our lives. Think 'Tu Jaana Na Piya', 'Tu Aake Dekhle', and 'Maan Meri Jaan', which became India’s most-streamed song of 2023. Whether he’s making waves at Cannes or landing a spot on Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30, King’s rise has been nothing short of legendary. And now, he’s kicking off the year with another love-fuelled anthem—Stay. In collaboration with Warner Music India, King is back to doing what he does best—delivering a banger that blends raw emotion with evocative storytelling.

Having seen him perform live, I begin the interview by telling him this is the closest I’ve come to hearing not just his music, but what has to say as well. King, being his charming and witty self, replies, “You’re close now,” before smoothly dropping the hook from his latest track—“I want you to stay.”

No one’s going anywhere, we’re all here to ‘Stay’

With 1.7 million views on YouTube (and counting), it’s safe to say Stay is well on its way to becoming another unforgettable hit. True to King’s style, the song hooks you in with its lyrics long before the chorus kicks in. He knows exactly what works and isn’t one to change a winning formula.

“I had an entirely different concept (in mind) for the video—its ending was nothing like this. The way the song is written—in a black and white space—you’ll feel both happiness and sadness, and I guess that’s what life is all about. Sometimes, you don’t know why you’re feeling a certain way. We tried to express that through the song. Just as my character dies in the end (spoiler alert), everything in life has its time. Through this song, I wanted to make you feel both emotions—good or bad, they will pass. And that’s something worth appreciating.”

As far as takeaways go, King wants his fans to listen to ‘Stay’ and, “Take a few minutes to stop, reflect, and appreciate what’s around you. Notice what you haven’t before, and be grateful for the little things. What’s happened has happened; what’s meant to be will be. Be in the moment and make it beautiful—for yourself and those around you.” 

What makes this even better is the fact that he writes his own lyrics well. “To tell you the truth, writing songs is easy and a whole lot of fun for me. Plus, I don’t like singing words written by someone else. If I connect with the lyrics, I’ll sing them with equal passion. That excitement is what drives me—if I don’t feel it, I won’t make the song”

A King who entertains and is yet emotional

King’s music isn’t just sound—it’s an experience. Whether it’s blasting through your speakers or at a packed concert, his fans know they’re in for more than just entertainment; they’re part of an emotional, relatable journey. Balance is key, and it’s one of the reasons King is where he is today.

“I balance the two by having different songs in my set. When I want to get personal, I’ll sing 'Teri Ho Na Saki', 'Laapata', 'She Don’t Give A'—tracks that make people feel something. But when the vibe is fire, I switch it up and just have a blast. My happiness comes from performing, and that’s how it should be.”

As for his mantra when it comes to commanding a concert and managing the crowd’s energy? “Just enter like a f!@#$%g rockstar, man. Don’t overthink it. You can’t run from the stage, can you? Just live the moment.”

Earning fans in its truest sense

It may have been more than two days, but King, like any other artist, knows that social media numbers and countless reels featuring his hook line will do the talking. But what kind of validation does he truly seek?

"For me, all I need is for someone to listen to the song and tell me they loved it. That’s enough. Whether it gets one view or a billion, it doesn’t matter. If I start chasing numbers, I won’t be able to do justice to my art. You can only run after them for so long.”

“Remember, your first song of your life will never earn viewers; it earns listeners. People who appreciate your music and want to hear more. What matters most to me is knowing my feelings resonate with my audience, that they understand what I’m going through. A hit song, for me, is one that hits the heart. That’s the real game, my friend. At the end of the day, I chose to call myself King. I have to wake up with that name, and I have to push myself hard enough to sleep with it too” 

Lead image: Warner Music India

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