Singer Shibani Kashyap has been away from the mainstream spotlight, but she has been far from inactive. She has been quietly building a global performance journey while reinventing her sound for a younger audience. Her latest independent track, Sarfira, marks a conscious attempt to connect with Gen Z culture and the thriving hip-hop scene.
Connecting with Gen Z
“They have their own language, their own fashion, their own energy, it’s an entire culture,” says Shibani, adding that she wanted to merge her melodies and musical roots with hip-hop, which she describes as “the sound of the new generation, especially in a city like Mumbai.” The singer says what fascinated her most about today’s young artists is their fearlessness. “They aren’t afraid to cross boundaries, to be bold, edgy, different… a little crazy,” she says, explaining that the word sarfira represents someone unapologetically passionate and creatively wild.
Organic Creation
According to Shibani, the song was born organically after she interacted closely with underground hip-hop artists such as female rapper Siroyi, Nx2d Neezy and Yeda Anna while also working on a documentary around hip-hop music. “What fascinated me was that they completely lived their art,” she says. “Their passion and authenticity deeply impressed me.” She believes creativity demands a certain madness. “You have to be a little crazy to create something extraordinary,” she says, describing the track as a celebration of rebellion, instinct and artistic freedom. Shibani also credits lyricist Joy for bringing “energy, emotion and madness” into the writing.
Support from Peers
The singer admits that support from artists such as Mika Singh and choreographer Bosco Martis added momentum to the release. “Watching people vibe with it and connect with its madness feels incredibly fulfilling,” she says.
Global Performances
While audiences may not have seen her frequently in mainstream headlines, Shibani has remained busy performing across the world. Recently, she performed in New Zealand, where Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined her on stage during a rendition of Dama Dam Mast Qalandar. She also represented India at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, performing before an audience that included Kartik Aaryan, Alia Bhatt, Rekha and Dakota Johnson. Her international calendar has also included performances across the US, Vietnam, Egypt and Uzbekistan, where she was invited by UNESCO to perform at the closing ceremony of the music festival Sharq Taronalari.
Championing Independent Music
Back home, Shibani has continued to champion independent music and cultural initiatives. She recently launched Jashn-e-Nari, her first anthem dedicated entirely to women, and shared the stage with Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during its launch. Alongside concerts and recordings, she has also been delivering TED Talks, reflecting on her musical and creative journey. “It has truly been a beautiful journey so far,” she says, “deeply fulfilling, inspiring and absolutely magical.”
