KSHMR: BRIDGING CULTURES THROUGH MUSIC

KASHMIRI-AMERICAN DJ AND PRODUCER NILES HOLLOWELL-DHAR TAKES US THROUGH THE JOURNEY OF MAKING THE BIGGEST INDIAN HIP-HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

- PEONY HIRWANI

KSHMR—real name Niles Hollowell-Dhar— isn’t just a maestro behind the music; he’s in fact a testament to humility and genuine connection. His arrival at the Rolling Stone India office at Mumbai's Santacruz, a few days before the launch of his new album Karam wasn’t just a mere celebrity sighting; it was a glimpse into the person behind the global DJ phenomenon.

As Niles stepped out of a rickshaw on November 1st, there was an air of understated grace about him. Rather than a grand entrance, it was a quiet arrival that spoke volumes about his unassuming nature. Engaging with everyone present, Niles, who was born in California, exuded a warmth that immediately dissolved any semblance of intimidation. His demeanor—a fusion of kindness, humor, and compassion—set the tone for an interview that felt less like a formality and more like a heart to heart conversation.

Niles’s aka KSHMR’s approach to music offers a glimpse into the intricate creative process that shaped his latest chart-topping album Karam -- particularly his collaborative efforts with esteemed Indian artists such as Seedhe Maut, Raftaar, Ikka, MC Stan, Yashraj, Raja Kumari, fellow Kashmiri rapper KR$NA, and Dabzee among others. The “Haath Varthi” hitmaker said that his normal music-making process starts by finding the right melody or the instrument that he really likes. “Once I crack that, I go on to build a whole song.”