KING’s Musical Journey: How the Indian Rapper Built His Fanbase
GQ Hype: Hail to the King | GQ India
Singer-rapper King rules hearts of music lovers in Lucknow | Hindustan Times
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From uploading music online to becoming one of India’s most recognised rap and pop stars, KING has built a remarkable career through talent, determination and emotional storytelling.
Known for hit songs such as ‘Maan Meri Jaan’, ‘Tu Aake Dekhle’, ‘Pablo’ and ‘OOPS’, the Delhi-born artist has created a musical identity that combines hip-hop, rap, pop and romantic melodies.
His journey is particularly inspiring because he did not become famous overnight. He spent years writing songs, releasing music independently and building an audience before his appearance on MTV Hustle introduced him to a much wider public.
Today, KING is recognised as one of the artists helping shape the sound of modern Indian hip-hop and pop music. NME+2
Who is KING?
KING is the stage name of Arpan Kumar Chandel, an Indian rapper, singer and songwriter from New Delhi.
He grew up with an interest in music and began writing his own lyrics while he was young. His musical influences included hip-hop artists such as Eminem and Lil Wayne, alongside pop and R&B performers.
Before achieving mainstream recognition, he experimented with songwriting and released music online. He initially performed under the name King Rocco before becoming widely known simply as KING.
His early experiences helped him develop a style that combines rap verses, catchy hooks and emotional melodies.
In interviews, he has explained that he enjoys writing about real feelings and experiences. This personal approach has become one of the defining features of his music. Hindustan Times+1
The early struggle: Building a music career from Delhi
KING’s journey was not an overnight success story.
Before becoming a recognised name in Indian music, he had to find ways to finance his ambitions and keep releasing songs.
He started uploading music to YouTube and gradually developed an audience. His early work included independent tracks that allowed listeners to understand his personality and musical direction.
In a 2024 interview with Entrepreneur India, he discussed how he saved money to support his music ambitions and began releasing songs regularly.
His first album, Circumstances, arrived in 2018. It marked an important early step in his development as an independent artist.
Rather than giving up when recognition was limited, he continued writing and experimenting. His persistence eventually opened the door to a major opportunity. Entrepreneur India+1
MTV Hustle: The platform that introduced him to India
Stream Ankesh | Listen to King Rocco – MTV Hustle – 2019 playlist online for free on SoundCloud
One of the biggest turning points in KING’s career came in 2019 when he participated in the first season of MTV Hustle, India’s hip-hop reality competition.
The show gave him an opportunity to perform original music before a national television audience.
His songwriting, stage presence and distinctive delivery helped him stand out among the contestants. He finished fourth in the competition, gaining valuable exposure and a growing fanbase.
For many viewers, the programme was their first introduction to KING.
However, the show was only the beginning. After the competition, he continued releasing music and working on projects that would help him move beyond the reality-show platform.
He later returned to MTV Hustle 2.0 as a squad boss, demonstrating how far he had progressed since his first appearance. NME+2
The albums that shaped his musical identity
Stay – King: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts
Maan Meri Jaan – song and lyrics by King | Spotify
Tu Jaana Na Piya – King: Song Lyrics, Music Videos & Concerts
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KING has built his career around albums rather than relying only on individual singles. Each project has allowed him to explore different emotions, sounds and creative ideas.
1. The Carnival (2020)
This album helped establish his identity as a rapper and singer. It included ‘Tu Aake Dekhle’, one of his most recognisable songs, which introduced many listeners to his emotional and melodic approach to hip-hop.
2. Heartbreak, Made Me Do It (2020)
This project explored heartbreak, relationships and personal emotions. It helped demonstrate that KING could move between energetic rap and more reflective music.
3. Champagne Talk (2022)
This was a major milestone in his career. The album featured ‘Maan Meri Jaan’, ‘Pablo’ and ‘OOPS’, among other tracks. It helped him reach a much wider audience and achieve major streaming success.
4. New Life (2023)
With this project, KING explored a wider range of musical influences and collaborated with international artists, including Gucci Mane and Julia Michaels.
5. Monopoly Moves (2024)
This album represented a return to his hip-hop roots. It featured collaborations with Indian artists including Raftaar, MC Stan and Karma.
Together, these projects show his development from an independent rapper into a versatile artist with a strong presence in Indian pop music. district.in+3
‘Maan Meri Jaan’: The song that changed everything
Watch Trending Hindi Video Song ‘Maan Meri Jaan’ Sung By King
If there is one song that introduced KING to millions of new listeners, it is ‘Maan Meri Jaan’.
Released as part of Champagne Talk in 2022, the romantic track became a major hit on streaming platforms and social media.
Unlike traditional rap songs focused mainly on lyrical competition or aggressive delivery, ‘Maan Meri Jaan’ presented KING through a softer, more emotional sound.
Its romantic lyrics and memorable melody connected with listeners who enjoy love songs as much as hip-hop.
The track became Spotify India’s most-streamed song of 2023, according to Hindustan Times. Its popularity also attracted international attention. Hindustan Times+1
The Nick Jonas collaboration
The popularity of ‘Maan Meri Jaan’ reached another level when American singer Nick Jonas collaborated with KING on the remix titled ‘Maan Meri Jaan (Afterlife)’.
The remix brought together KING’s Hindi vocals and Nick Jonas’s English-language contribution, creating a cross-cultural musical collaboration.
It was an important moment for KING because it introduced his music to more international listeners and demonstrated the potential of Indian pop to connect with global artists.
The collaboration also represented a major step in his ambition to take Indian sounds to a worldwide audience. NME+1
KING’s most popular songs
Tu Aake Dekhle song by King from The Carnival [Explicit] on Amazon Music
OOPS – song and lyrics by King | Spotify
Some of KING’s most recognisable songs include:
- ‘Tu Aake Dekhle’ – A melodic heartbreak song that became one of his signature releases.
- ‘Maan Meri Jaan’ – The romantic hit that significantly expanded his audience.
- ‘Pablo’ – A confident track that blends Hindi and Punjabi influences with hip-hop.
- ‘OOPS’ – A playful, pop-influenced collaboration featuring Zahrah S Khan.
- ‘IICONIC’ – A track that reflects his personality, ambition and confidence.
- ‘No Loss’ – A motivational song about resilience and overcoming difficulties.
- ‘She Don’t Give A’ – A track that explores a different side of his musical personality.
- ‘Runaway’ – A collaboration with Julia Michaels from New Life.
- ‘We Are The Ones’ – A collaboration featuring Gucci Mane.
- ‘Stay’ – A 2025 release that continued his exploration of melodic pop and rap.
These songs demonstrate that KING is comfortable moving between romantic music, traditional hip-hop and contemporary pop. rollingstoneindia.com+2
His international collaborations
KING’s ambition has never been limited to the Indian music market.
His collaboration with Nick Jonas was an important breakthrough, but he has also worked with other international performers.
His New Life album included contributions from American artists Gucci Mane and Julia Michaels. He has also collaborated with Jason Derulo and other international musicians.
These partnerships have helped him experiment with different musical styles while introducing Indian pop and hip-hop to new audiences.
KING has spoken about wanting to demonstrate that Indian sounds can blend naturally with music from anywhere in the world. That idea is central to his creative direction. NME+2
What makes KING different from other Indian rappers?
India has a growing hip-hop industry, with artists such as Badshah, Raftaar, Divine, Emiway Bantai and MC Stan building large audiences.
KING stands out because he combines rap with emotional songwriting and accessible pop melodies.
Some of his defining qualities include:
- Emotional storytelling: His songs frequently explore love, heartbreak, ambition and personal experiences.
- Genre flexibility: He moves between rap, hip-hop, pop and R&B influences.
- Memorable hooks: Many of his tracks have choruses that listeners can easily sing along to.
- Album-focused creativity: He uses full projects to explore different themes rather than depending only on singles.
- International ambition: His collaborations demonstrate an interest in connecting Indian music with global sounds.
His approach has helped him attract listeners who may not traditionally follow rap music. Times of India+2
KING’s influence on the new generation
KING’s success has become an inspiration for young musicians who want to build careers in India’s independent music industry.
His journey demonstrates that artists can begin with limited resources, release music online and gradually build an audience through consistency and creativity.
His story also shows that Indian hip-hop is not restricted to one style. Artists can combine rap with romantic melodies, pop production and international influences while maintaining their own identity.
His growing fan community, known as the Kings Clan, has also played an important role in supporting his music and live performances.
For upcoming musicians, his journey offers some valuable lessons:
- Believe in your creative abilities.
- Keep releasing music and improving your craft.
- Write songs that connect with real emotions.
- Build a loyal audience instead of chasing every trend.
- Be open to collaborations and new musical experiences.
His success beyond music
KING has also explored opportunities outside the recording studio.
In 2023, he launched Blanko, his fragrance brand, expanding his interests into entrepreneurship.
He has also been associated with commercial brands and appeared at major entertainment events, including his Cannes red-carpet debut in 2024.
These activities demonstrate how modern musicians can develop careers that extend beyond albums, concerts and streaming platforms. Forbes+2
What does the future hold for KING?
KING has already achieved significant success, but his musical journey is still developing.
His international collaborations, album releases and growing popularity suggest that he wants to establish himself as a global Indian music star.
He has also expressed interest in exploring different musical styles rather than limiting himself to a single genre.
As Indian hip-hop continues to grow, KING is likely to remain an important voice in the movement.
His biggest challenge will be maintaining his originality while continuing to reach new audiences. However, his willingness to experiment gives him plenty of opportunities to develop his sound.
Final thoughts
KING’s journey from an aspiring Delhi musician to one of India’s most recognised rap and pop artists is a story of determination, creativity and ambition.
His appearance on MTV Hustle introduced him to a national audience, but his music helped him build a lasting career.
Songs such as ‘Tu Aake Dekhle’, ‘Maan Meri Jaan’ and ‘Pablo’ have become important parts of his musical identity.
His collaboration with Nick Jonas also demonstrated that Indian artists can build meaningful connections with international music stars.
KING is more than a rapper. He represents a new generation of Indian musicians who are combining local identity with global musical ambition.
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Next topic: Jubin Nautiyal’s Romantic Songs – Why His Voice Continues to Win Hearts.
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