My mission is to take Tamil music global, says Sid Sriram

Sid Sriram, a talented singer, is set to perform his largest solo concert in the UK at the O2 Arena this coming October. Known for his distinctive blend of Carnatic music, which is a traditional South Indian style, with influences from soul and R&B, Sid has made a name for himself in the music industry. Reflecting on his early days, he recalls the challenges he faced, particularly the skepticism from some who questioned his unique vocal style. 'What kind of voice is this? Why is he singing like this? ' they would ask. Despite the initial pushback, Sid remained undeterred, allowing his music to speak for itself. This year marked a significant milestone in his career as he became the first South Indian artist to perform at the renowned Coachella music festival. He also had the opportunity to open for the American indie star Bon Iver during his US tour and is now gearing up for the UK leg of his All Love No Hate tour, which promises to be a memorable event at the O2 Arena in London. Sid expresses his vision, stating, 'I’ve always had the vision to take our music and elevate it to the highest level. ' The music scene has seen a surge of South Asian artists gaining recognition in mainstream platforms and collaborating with Western musicians. Notable examples include Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh appearing on The Tonight Show, AP Dhillon teaming up with Stormzy, and Arijit Singh inviting Ed Sheeran to perform at his concert. Inspired by these successes, Sid aims to showcase his Carnatic roots on a global stage. 'My mission since the beginning has been to take my Carnatic musical roots and amplify them across the globe,' he asserts. Sid is celebrated for his popular tracks such as Srivalli, Kalaavathi, and Neeli Neeli Aakasam. He recalls feeling that 'the world wasn't ready' for his music when he first ventured into Western markets. However, he now recognizes that the world is not only ready for his unique perspective but also in need of it. 'It’s an exciting time,' he adds. Describing himself as a 'cultural bridge between two different worlds,' Sid embraces this role wholeheartedly. His performance at Coachella included a Tamil religious song called Thiruppugazh, which resonated with audiences and went viral online. Additionally, Sid is signed to the prestigious Def Jam label, home to artists like Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Pusha T. His NPR Tiny Desk concert last year garnered critical acclaim, and he released an album titled Sidharth, which creatively fuses Carnatic music with R&B and indie rock elements. Sid believes this album has played a crucial role in introducing Tamil music to a broader audience. 'Even if I’m doing an English album show, I’ll still sing some Tamil film songs, and I always get non-South Asian people texting me like: 'Whoa, what was that song? ' 'I call myself an ambassador of my language, my culture, my people, and if I call myself that, then I have to put action to that. ' Sid acknowledges the significant influence of composer AR Rahman in his career. AR Rahman, known for his Oscar-winning work on the soundtrack for Slumdog Millionaire, was one of the first South Indian artists to collaborate with mainstream acts. After the success of Slumdog Millionaire, Sid reached out to AR Rahman, who graciously offered him his first break in the industry. Sid is eager to celebrate his journey during the UK concert, where he plans to perform beloved Tamil cinema hits from his career. 'I love performing in the UK because it feels like the audience understands my roots, as well as a lot of the cultural touch points I grew up with in California. The resonance is special. ' However, Sid is not resting on his laurels; he has ambitious plans for the future, including creating his own original Tamil music, rather than just performing songs composed by others. 'The next wave is just putting out music in my mother tongue that feels like it’s just pushing the boundary,' he explains. Sid Sriram is determined to continue his mission of sharing his music and culture with the world, and his upcoming concert is just one step in that journey.