Naisha Bhargabi is a multi-talented artist who has recently released her empowering single, ‘Ada,’ as part of DESI TRILL’s innovative project, ‘DESI TRILL presents… Brown Is Everywhere.’ This track resonates with themes of self-love and independence, channeling the emotions of betrayal into a compelling musical narrative.
Hailing from Odisha and now based in Los Angeles, Naisha’s artistic journey reflects a rich tapestry of cultural influences. Beyond her impressive musical pursuits, Naisha is a singer-songwriter, model, actress, writer, and DJ, showcasing her diverse talents across various creative domains.
As a prominent figure within DESI TRILL, Naisha is at the forefront of a genre that merges elements of Hip Hop, R&B, and South Asian music, embodying a fresh and eclectic musical style. Her story, marked by bold artistic expression and a commitment to authenticity, positions her as a captivating subject in the music industry.
In an exclusive chat with News18 Showsha, Naisha opened up about her journey.
Here are the excerpts:
Naisha, your journey from Odisha to Los Angeles is remarkable. Can you share how your cultural experiences have shaped your music and artistic vision?
I was born in Odisha but was blessed enough to live there and travel around the world because of my parents, and I think my music is everything I have seen , learnt and heard and just being able to be around beautiful cultures including my own helps me create a unique sound that’s just a blend of everything and something fresh and new. And I want to keep creating and learning as I go because art is abundant all around the world.
How did you first get started in the music industry, and what has your journey been like up until now?
I have been hindustani classical trained since I was a kid, and I always made music but I decided to release and share it with the world a few years ago. I started in my bedroom literally producing and jamming with friends who made music and then I have been lucky and blessed enough to be in rooms with amazing musicians who collaborate and help in creating the tightest sound and my journey has been beautiful from mumbai to La , a lot of learning and that’s always key in everything. And I feel its a journey that keeps on getting better. At the end of the day everything is about the music.
Congratulations on the release of ‘Ada’! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind this powerful single?
Ada is a fun record which I made with some talented people in the room about heartbreak and deception but still keeping it about the joy of moving on and getting over a tough situation and accepting its not the people but a certain situation at times. ‘Ada’ transforms the pain of deception into an anthem of self-love.
What message do you hope listeners take away from this song?
I just want people to feel good after they hear it and walk away with vibes. It doesn’t have to be deeper than that because music is always fun.
How did your collaboration with DESI TRILL for ‘Brown Is Everywhere’ come about, and what has the experience been like?
I met Shabz and Ty Ty and they were really passionate about putting South Asia on the map which I think has always been there and its great to see what they’re doing for it globally. The experience has been great, at the end of it good music always speaks for itself and my job is to just deliver and create.
Can you walk us through your creative process when writing and producing ‘Ada’?
I mean every inspiration comes from personal life and things around you. I think it was one of those days where I wrote about what I was feeling and the melodies were melancholic but still joyful.
What elements or experiences help you channel your emotions into your music, especially in a song as personal as ‘Ada’?
Just life experiences and having been in love, I think love is the biggest driving force for anything and all the emotions that come with it.
You are not just a singer-songwriter but also a model, actress, writer, and DJ. How do you balance these diverse roles, and do they influence each other?
I think I am blessed to have been able to tap in to all these different areas of art which goes hand in hand with each other. My work in fashion definitely compliments other aspects cuz I am able to create everything with
style which is very important to me. At the end of it all the above you mentioned is expressing yourself through these different avenues and I make music express myself and dj with the same intention which is my love for music and also playing the best stuff including my own. I am getting better everyday in balancing them all together but it is the best to be able to do what I do.
Is there a particular creative outlet that you feel most connected to, or do you see all of them as equally important parts of your artistic identity?
I see everything as important, if it wasn’t important I wouldn’t be doing it.
Your music blends Hip Hop, R&B, and South Asian sounds. How do you approach combining these genres to create a unique sound?
I just go with feeling to be honest and its all in me anyway, so whatever comes out when I’m creating its just natural. And I am not trying to consciously blend anything , like I said earlier my sound is everything I
have seen, learnt and heard.
Who are some of your musical influences, and how have they impacted your sound?
My musical influences are a lot of things, first being life. If you are asking artists there are so many great artists like D’angelo, Aaliyah , Lauryn Hill , Britney Spears, AR Rahman and I could name more but its many people around cuz I listen to a lot of music including new kids who are amazing. Like I said anything you hear or see lives in you, I don’t think I sound like anyone cuz I am not trying to do that but its all the beautiful music around that helps us make our own sound.
What upcoming projects or collaborations can we look forward to from you?
There is a lot of new stuff coming out soon, some exciting features and my own project. I will wait to surprise everyone rather than talking too much about it.
Are there any specific goals or dreams you are working towards in your artistic career? Would you be willing to expand your career into commercial Bollywood music in future?
I grew up to beautiful Indian music and Bollywood too. And for sure if Bollywood is down to rock I am too.
What has been the most challenging aspect of your journey, and how did you overcome it?
The challenging aspect has been a lot of things, moving to new cities and countries by yourself with no backing or nothing , starting from scratch so many times and just figuring life and the industry in general but I just jump into things that scare me so I don’t fear them anymore, so I think the best way is to just keep doing no matter what.
Who has been your biggest supporter throughout your career, and how have they influenced your growth?
My family , they influence everything I do cuz I lucked out to have the best one ever who teach me everyday open new worlds for me. My parents and my sister are the coolest ever and every bit of me comes from them.
Name a song that always lifts your spirits?
Naima by John Coltrane , the chords are just too beautiful and its like a love letter and it also reminds me of my sister cuz that’s her name and I love her the most.
What’s your favorite place to find inspiration for your music?
There’s a lot of places but I think people inspire me the most for my music, so just meeting good people and having good times always leaves me feeling inspired.
Name an artist you’d love to collaborate with?
There are so many MIA, Playboi Carti, Rosalia, I don’t even know I wanna collaborate with everyone music is Universal.
What are some words that you live by?
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high and the whole poem by Rabindranath Tagore.