Armaan Malik calls performance with Ed Sheeran ‘dream come true’: ‘Shared new music, danced to a lot of desi songs’

Armaan Malik and Ed Sheeran share a light moment on stage during the “Perfect” hitmaker’s recent performance in Mumbai. (Photo: Instagram/ armaanmalik)

While the duo performing on stage enthralled the audience, what also took the internet by storm was Armaan and Ed dancing to the Telugu song “Butto Bomma”, in the Instagram post shared by the former. “It was lovely meeting Ed in person finally. He is among the most humble and sweetest humans I have ever met. Catching up with him in my city (Mumbai) was so much fun. We enjoyed a delicious Indian meal, got to share some new music with each other, danced a lot to desi songs, and just spoke so much. My heart is so full!” Armaan recalls.

 

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‘Ed Sheeran was supportive, gave me the freedom to express as an artiste’

Describing the experience of collaborating with the English singer-songwriter for the track as “incredible,” he states that collaboration came as a “surprise.” “When his team approached me to work on the song, I immediately sat down to write the lyrics with Kunaal Vermaa, who helped me put together my emotions into a verse. I remember Ed being super supportive throughout the collab and giving me the creative freedom to express my feelings as an artiste. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and I am sure we shall do another collaboration soon,” says the “Besabriyaan” singer.

 

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Armaan also joined popular American DJ Marshmello during his recent Holi performance in Mumbai, treating their fans to their unleashed track live, taking 13,000 Mumbaikars by surprise. Recently, Diljit Dosanjh also dropped his song “Khutti” for which he collaborated with American rapper and singer Saweetie. Armaan feels such collaborations are great for Indian artists, proving that there’s a growing appreciation for India’s unique sound, storytelling, and musical craftsmanship. 

 

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“The collaborations and accolades reflect a positive shift in how Indian musicians are perceived internationally, opening doors for more cross-cultural exchanges and creative partnerships. It’s an exciting time for Indian music on the global stage, and I am proud to be part of this journey,” he adds.

‘The West is now recognising the Indian talent’ 

The singer believes Indian music has always been popular in the West, with Bollywood songs getting special attention globally; however, musicians were “rarely recognised.” “Now, with the growth of digital and streaming platforms, Indian musicians are getting the recognition they deserve. I believe the West is now increasingly recognising the depth and diversity of talent in India’s music scene.”

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Speaking about a growing number of international artists such as Post Malone, MIA, Rihanna, and Anne-Marie, among others, performing in India in recent times, Armaan says the phenomenon is an ode to India’s vibrant music culture and growing significance on the global stage. “People in India are much more open to music from diverse genres and accepting of international sounds. It signifies India’s appeal as a major destination for international artists, showcasing our diverse audience and the immense passion for music within our country. This, in turn, fosters cross-cultural exchanges, enriching the music scene with diverse influences and collaborations.”

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‘Independent music is booming in India’

In a career spanning over a decade, Armaan, who started out as a child singer,  has belted out a string of memorable tracks “Bol Do Naa Zara”, “Main Rahoon Ya Na Rahoon”, “Hua Yeh Aaj Pehli Baar,” “Tab Tak,” “Tumhein Aapna Banane Ka”  etc, singing in other regional languages such Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu and Malayalam. However, the artiste continues to make music independently and still  loves to be called an “indie artiste.” “India’s current independent music scene has made significant strides in demonstrating that music and artistes can thrive independently of Bollywood or the backing of major labels. The emergence of digital platforms, coupled with a more diverse and engaged audience, has created a conducive environment for creativity to flourish as well as facilitate the discovery of newer artistes,” says Armaan, adding that the trend only empowers artistes to express themselves authentically but also highlights the rich pool of talent in India that goes beyond the traditional avenues. 

“With the number of independent artists emerging in the country, it can only be said that the industry is booming and will only continue to grow in the coming years,” he concludes.