Armaan Malik’s Global Journey: From Bollywood to English Pop

Armaan Malik is a name synonymous with soulful melodies in India. Known as "Bollywood's ballad king" and the "prince of romance," he has lent his voice to numerous hits and charmed audiences across the nation. But Armaan's ambition stretches far beyond the borders of Bollywood. With a voice comfortable in over a dozen languages, he's embarked on a fascinating journey to establish himself as an Indian pop singer, running a parallel career alongside his successful Indian music endeavours.

The Bollywood Foundation

Music was perhaps destiny for Armaan. Born into a musical family, he started classical training at four and was working on voiceovers and jingles by age eight. Despite his family's deep roots in the music industry, his parents were initially hesitant. However, Armaan's natural talent shone through. Interestingly, aiming to be judged solely on merit, he consciously avoided using his famous surname when competing on the reality show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs at age nine.

Following his father's pragmatic advice that Bollywood was the pathway to a mainstream singing career in India, Armaan focused on playback singing. This proved incredibly successful, establishing him as a leading voice for major Bollywood stars and building a massive fan base through Hindi and regional hits like "Naina" (a breakout hit when he was just 18).

A Dream Ignited

While conquering the Indian music scene, a spark for English pop music, ignited in his youth by artists like Michael Bublé and John Mayer (introduced via an iPod from his brother), continued to burn. His brief stint at Berklee College of Music in 2011 further honed his English songwriting and vocal skills.

The turning point came in 2017. Feeling exhausted from singing his hits without truly feeling them anymore, Armaan expressed his need for artistic freedom to his supportive parents. This solidified his resolve to pursue the dream his 15-year-old self had envisioned. From 2018 to 2020, he dedicated time to traveling and creating English music in LA, London, and New York.

Launching Globally: Control, You, and Beyond

2020 marked a significant milestone with the release of his debut English single, 'Control'. The track was a phenomenal success, earning him an MTV Europe Music Award (EMA) – a first for an Indian artist – and achieving platinum status in India. This wasn't just a one-off experiment; Armaan was clear about his intention to build a sustainable career in English pop.

He followed up with tracks like the romantic ballad 'You' (2022), the global collaboration 'Echo' (with Eric Nam and KSHMR), '2step', and 'Always'. These releases showcase his versatility and commitment. 'You', in particular, felt like a homecoming, blending his comfort with ballads – honed through years in Bollywood – with his English pop aspirations. He actively participated in songwriting, production, and backing vocals for the track, marking a culmination of his years of experience.

Strategy, Vision, and Entrepreneurship

Armaan's journey is marked by strategic choices. He focuses on quality over quantity, spacing out projects to maintain meaning and keep audiences curious. His manager, Aayushman Sinha, echoes this, highlighting the plan to build a strong Indian fanbase first before making significant international strides. Their shared goal is ambitious: position Armaan as the pioneer of Indian pop music on the global stage.

Beyond singing, Armaan is building his vision through entrepreneurship. In 2021, he launched his own music label, 'Always Music Global,' aiming to scout and nurture Indian pop talent for the world stage. He also has his own merchandise line, 'Shop in the AM’.

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Onwards and Upwards, No Looking Back.

Armaan Malik's journey is a compelling narrative of following dreams while respecting roots. He navigates the differences between the Indian and international music industries, aiming to balance both "Armaans" – the Indian singer and the global artist. From child artist to Bollywood sensation, and now a burgeoning international pop name and entrepreneur, his motto remains "Onwards and Upwards No Looking Back." He continues to connect with fans worldwide through his music and platforms like his global radio show, 'Only Just Begun'.

Armaan Malik songs build bridges between music cultures, proving that talent and ambition know no borders.

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