Introducing: Saloni

British-Asian singer-songwriter Saloni is redefining the music scene by blending Pop, R&B, and Bollywood with a unique multilingual flair. As the first UK artist to infuse multiple South Asian languages into her original music, Saloni has captured an international audience with her cultural fusion. With over 5 million views and a place at #16 on the Official UK Asian Music Charts, her influence continues to grow, bolstered by features in BBC, Rolling Stone, and Eastern Eye.

Known for her viral hit Nee Gundellounna, she’s taken the stage at iconic events like Wembley Arena, BBC Radio One Big Weekend, and The Great Escape. Now, Saloni is focused on her first EP, set for release in October 2024, with lead singles crafted alongside renowned producer Farooq Got Audio. This ambitious project includes collaborations with fellow British-Asian talents like D8, Maharani, and REVEAL, bridging Eastern and Western sounds while representing South Asian culture on a global stage.

As part of Saloni's EP Launch Tour, this is her debut headline show in London where she'll perform all of the tracks on her latest EP 'Rani' and more. A night not to miss as she dives into the stories behind her journey and the stories behind each track! You can grab tickets HERE.

1.  You've become a trailblazer by incorporating multiple South Asian languages into your original music. What inspired you to blend these languages with genres like Pop, R&B, and Bollywood, and how do you see this fusion contributing to bridging Eastern and Western cultures?

My upbringing really shaped this fusion. Growing up in the UK with Indian roots, I was naturally immersed in both South Asian and Western influences. At home, there was Bollywood, Tollywood, and classical Indian music, and at school or with friends, I’d be listening to the latest pop and R&B hits. Over time, I realized that I didn’t fully identify with just one genre or culture—my identity was a blend of both. So, infusing these South Asian languages into Western genres like Pop and R&B felt like an authentic way to express my true self. I hope this fusion can resonate with people like me, who live at this cultural crossroads. We’ve seen global music audiences embrace genres like Afrobeats, K-Pop, and Latin pop, and I believe there’s a huge potential for South Asian music to take a similar path.

2.  With your music reaching audiences worldwide, especially in the UK, India, and the US, how do you tailor your sound to resonate with such diverse listeners? Do you find that your approach varies depending on the region, or is there a universal element that connects your global audience?

More than tailoring my music to specific audiences, I like to make music that’s true to me and hope that others resonate with the crossover! Of course when I bring on specific languages it’ll naturally resonate with the native speakers of those languages but at the same time music has no language so I hope everyone enjoys!

3. You’ve achieved incredible milestones, including charting on the Official UK Asian Music charts and performing at prestigious venues like Wembley Arena. What have been the most significant moments in your career so far, and how have they shaped your vision as an artist?

Charting on the Official UK Asian Music charts and performing at Wembley Arena were truly surreal moments for me. Seeing my EP Rani reach #1 on the UK iTunes Worldwide Genre Charts was incredibly rewarding, but winning Music Artist of the Year at the 2024 Ethnicity Awards was a standout honour. Being recognised alongside artists I've looked up to for years, like Zayn Malik, Raye, and Jay Sean, felt surreal and gratifying. These milestones have helped me realise the impact of representing British Asians in mainstream music. Every milestone adds to my commitment to bridging the East-West gap and showing other young British Asians that they can succeed in spaces where they don’t always see themselves represented.

4.  Your EP features collaborations with prominent British Asian artists, including Farooq Got Audio, D8, and Maharani. How do these collaborations influence your creative process, and what can fans expect from these partnerships in terms of sound and storytelling?

Collaborating with other British Asian artists has been an amazing experience. Each of them brings their own unique sound and perspective, and that helps me expand my creative approach. Working with Farooq Got Audio on the title track ‘Rani’ was incredible as he’s an amazing producer and really pushed me out of my comfort zone to sing on a Hip-Hop beat. Similarly, working with Maharani and D8, on ‘Fair Share’ and ‘Fade Away’ was inspiring because they both brought this incredible R&B sensibility that complemented my vision of combining it with Desi sounds. Such collaborations add versatility to the EP where fans can expect a mix of sounds and stories that touch on empowerment, self-love, and the journey of building something meaningful. Each track is a reflection of our shared experiences and the uniqueness we bring as British Asian artists.

5.  You've mentioned that one of your goals is to represent the underrepresented and showcase the beauty of South Asian culture worldwide. How do you plan to continue this mission with your EP and future projects, and what impact do you hope to have on both the music industry and cultural representation?

With ‘Rani,’ my hope is to bring South Asian culture into the mainstream in a way that feels fresh and relevant. The EP is a mix of languages, genres, and stories that I think a lot of people will connect with, especially those who may not have seen their identity fully reflected in Western music before. Going forward, I plan to keep experimenting with multilingual music and collaborating with artists who share this passion for cultural fusion. I want my music to be a reminder that there’s room for everyone in the industry, regardless of background. I hope that by staying true to my roots, I can inspire others to embrace their identities fully and to see representation as something that’s empowering and inclusive.