Hi, I'm Surya.
Born in Chennai, I was trained in Carnatic music but took to western pop. Relocating to London at age 10, my interest in R&B and Hip-Hop multiplied. I wrote songs and made beats as a hobby, but started taking it seriously after joining university at Durham. I created a track in my bedroom called Move It and released it. It was instantly selected by BBC Introducing for airplay.
I then released my independent album, Adolessence. Written, produced and performed by myself, the 11 track LP explored topics like conformity, envy and ambition.
Without PR support, all of the songs were selected by BBC Radio shows for airplay including The Introducing Mixtape & The Tom Robinson Show. I gave studio interviews at radio stations including the BBC’s Asian Network & Radio 1. My music was covered by blogs from both sides of the Atlantic with the Underground Press mentioning that I “depicted social issues in a way few can, and even less entertain the thought of attempting”.
I was selected into the Ivors Academy's Music Creators Porgramme, MAS Records' emerging artist talent development programme, CMN's Break the Wall Programme and brought into YCUK, a London based creative collective, harbouring some of the best up & coming talent in film, music & design.
I released a single this January called U ME WE. In this track, I wrote about my upbringing in Chennai, turbulent relocation to London and what I intend to do going forward. The song and its music video has been receiving a lot of organic support. It was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds editorial playlist, BBC Introducing, GUAP and TRENCH Magazine, among others.
I have just released my second project, Collage. Inspired by mixtapes of the old convention, this project sees me reimagining a selection of Hip-Hop & RnB instrumentals with new melodies, lyrics, and arrangements. Within days of release, Collage has already received coverage from a number of esteemed music outlets including Rolling Stone Magazine.