Streaming giants are spotlighting Indian talent as 2026 approaches, setting the stage for exciting breakthroughs.
As we look ahead to 2026, several Indian artists have garnered attention from major digital streaming platforms. Amazon Music recently unveiled its list of “emerging artists” expected to make waves over the next few years. Featured prominently are singer-songwriters Kushagra and Naalayak, alongside Tamil rapper Vengayo. Kushagra’s track “Finding Her” has already made its mark, becoming one of the highest-streamed songs of 2025. Vengayo, too, is making strides, as he has been selected to produce an Amazon Original. This new work is a reimagined version of his earlier hit, “Chikkama,” showcasing his growth as an artist.
On the other hand, Spotify’s picks for 2026 don’t highlight specific Indian acts in their artists-to-watch list categorized by genre. However, there’s a notable mention of Canadian-Indian producer Ikky, who’s landed a spot in Spotify’s “Songwriters To Watch 2026” class. Ikky, known for his successful collaborations with Karan Aujla, had a breakout year in 2025, thanks to tracks from Aujla’s latest album, “P-Pop Culture,” and a remix of Ed Sheeran’s popular song “Symmetry,” where he also featured.
Additionally, the Hindi pop girl group WisH has made a mark on Shazam’s Fast Forward list, which highlights upcoming talent on the platform. Another standout is the US-based Indian-origin electronic duo Baalti, who join the Class of 2026 as identified by Shazam’s predictive analytics and the global editorial expertise of Apple Music.
As these platforms continue to embrace diverse talent, the potential for Indian artists in the global music scene is becoming increasingly evident. The next few years could see these artists breaking further into the mainstream, adding to the rich tapestry of music emerging from India.
