Page 24 - Masala Lite Issue 162 June 2024

24 IN FOCUS
His

CROWNING

GLORY

Breakout artist King makes his mark in
Southeast Asia.

BY AYUSH MADAN

n the world of contemporary Indian music, King, AKA
Arpan Kumar Chandel, has broken out as a prominent
and transformative artist. From his humble beginnings
in New Delhi to music royalty, King has crafted a unique
musical ascent marked by resilience and an unwavering
dedication to his craft. Being inspired by the likes of the
Backstreet Boys, King is known for his versatility and
charismatic stage presence, continually evolving his sound,
and resonating deeply with fans around the world. In my
conversation with him, King opened up about his early
inspirations, the balancing act between a job and his musical
aspirations, and the quintessential experiences that have
shaped his career. He also shares insights into his creative
process, the significance of his stage name, and what fans
can expect from his upcoming album, MM. Join us as we
delve into the story behind the artist and his message to
his devoted ‘KingsClan,’ ahead of his highly-anticipated live
debut in Bangkok.

Tell us more about your early days and how you first
got into music. What inspired you to start rapping and
singing?
I fell in love with pop music at the age of four, listening to
Your real name is Arpan Kumar Chandel, but you go by King. Can you share the
the Backstreet Boys, Westlife, and Blue on a neighbour’s
story behind your stage name?
radio. Even though I didn’t understand English, I sang along
with made-up lyrics. The sound captivated me, and I’ve been I started a YouTube channel under the name King Rocco, but due to a miscommunication,
studying it ever since. My musical tastes expanded to include my name was listed simply as KING. I realized that my surname, Chandel, is similar
retro Bollywood, rap, and R&B. By 10th grade, I started to that of a clan monarch, and I wanted to embody the behaviour of a king through
writing my own songs – early experiments in Punjabi rap, my art and demeanour. I chose the name “KING” because it is simple to understand
R&B, and bubblegum pop. I sometimes performed these for and pronounce in various languages. However, before the regal persona, the hit songs,
my classmates. However, I never thought music could be a the sneaker endorsements, and the photoshoots, I was just Arpan – a painfully shy
career. I didn’t feel like I could ask my parents to pay for music young boy with rock star dreams and a keen awareness of the injustices in the world.
lessons because they were already struggling financially. My transformation into King is the kind of story pop-star myths are made of.

Before your breakthrough, you had a government job in New Delhi. How did you How do you approach creating a new track?
balance your work with your passion for music during that period? I’m quite free-flowing when it comes to creating my music. Sometimes, a lyrical idea
I worked as a games attendant at an NDMC gym in New Delhi, helping athletes with comes to me first, and I shape it into a song. Other times, I hear a beat that inspires
the equipment and guiding them through workouts. The job paid INR 9,500 a month, me, and I write a melody to go with it. I’m definitely a melody-driven person, even
which felt substantial at the time. More importantly, it gave me a lot of free time when I’m just listening to music.
to focus on music, which I considered my ‘Plan B.’ I wanted a career where no one
We also wanted to congratulate you on your upcoming album, MM! What new
else could call the shots, where my talent would speak for itself. My modest salary
genres and flavours should fans expect on this project? Are there any artists
only allowed me to afford cheap studio time. In 2015, I started recording tracks and
featured that you can reveal at this time?
uploading them to YouTube under the name ‘King Rocco.’ I gradually built a small
circle of supportive friends, including X Miikey, an engineering student who helped MM is going to be a nostalgic revelation for my fans, as I’m almost going back to the
me create a smoke bomb for my first-ever music video for a now-deleted track, aptly kind of writing I started with. I can’t reveal the collaborative artists just yet, but they
titled “KING.” will all be pleasant surprises for my fans and listeners. I’ve even made MM like I did
in the good old times – on my home laptop, writing in my room.
How did your experience on MTV Hustle shape your career?
Your fans, known as the KingsClan, have been incredibly supportive throughout
While halfway through a planned album titled Mashhoor, I got a life-changing call
your meteoric rise. What can they expect from your first live show in Bangkok,
to audition for MTV Hustle. Someone from MTV must have heard my songs. I went
and do you have a message for your many fans here?
to the audition without telling anyone, not even my parents, and somehow made
it into the top 15. This audition and my time on the show were turning points in my I am super excited to be making my Southeast Asia debut in Bangkok. It’s also my first
career and artistry. I dropped “Rocco” from my name, stepping into the pop persona I time in Bangkok, so I’m probably more excited about seeing my Thailand KingsClan
always imagined. As my performances gained fans, I learned to transform myself into than they are about seeing me! [Laughs] We’ve worked very hard on this current set
a dynamic on-stage performer. I swapped black T-shirts for colourful shirts and bold that my band and I are going to perform, so I can’t wait to honestly rage and party
stylistic choices, pushing out any remaining self-doubt to make way for my ambitious with everyone in Thailand.
vision. Watching the first episode in a hotel room with the other contestants, I felt a
deep sense of pride. I knew who I was, where I came from, and what it took to get me
VSK PRESENTS - KING LIVE IN BANGKOK FEAT. JUGGY D
there. I had gone from a shy kid who avoided eye contact, to performing on television.
Although I didn’t win the top spot (I came fourth), I left MTV Hustle with the skills Date: Friday, 14 June 2024
and confidence needed to succeed. One of my first releases after the show, “Tum Time: 6.30pm For more information or to buy
Saath Rehna,” marked a shift into romantic pop ballads, showcasing my versatility. Location: UOB LIVE tickets, visit:
https://megatix.in.th/events/vsk-
Price: Tickets start at THB 1,900 presents-king-live-bangkok

MASAL A LITE ISSUE 162 - JUNE 2024