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If you wanted to know what we were spinning this Diwali, then here’s our rhythmic cheatsheet, a journey to ‘Mollywood’ a hybrid of classic South Asian tunes infused with current beat and dance influences. The result is test-the-bass level tunes that kicked off an entire cultural movement, spurred by the DJ crew made up of Neal Sekhri and Anant Ahuja, whose deft selects and curation make the dance floor rejoice and your auntie kick up a fuss. Wanting to know more about them, the scene in India generally, and what to drink when pulling up with them, we reached out to get the latest: 

OnesToWatch: Who is MadStarBase?  

MadStarBase: Led by Neal Sekhri and Anant Ahuja, we are a production and DJ crew who create and curate some of the freshest, and most forward-thinking music. Blending multiple genres in an inimitable style, MadStarBase explore new musical territories and in doing so have helped mold a musical landscape in India and abroad.

MadStarBase are one of the first modern artists to reimagine how the world experiences Bollywood music by creating floor shaking, bass-heavy, club-centric remixes of iconic Bollywood songs. Songs such as Choli Ke Peeche, Mehbooba Mehbooba and Laila O Laila were remixed with such ferocity that it made Indian music, particularly Bollywood songs, feel cool again, and inspired an entire generation of musicians and artists. From original tracks to bootlegs and remixes, from fashion to art, MadStarBase have become an undeniable force helping shape the culture of young India today. 

To the uninformed, what is ‘Mollywood’ all about? 

Our Mollywood track series is a unique blend of old Indian classic songs infused with modern hip-hop and dance music elements. It's a creative fusion that brings together the nostalgia of timeless music with the energy and rhythm of contemporary sounds, creating a fresh and engaging sound for listeners. What started off as bootlegs/remixes/edits that you could only hear in DJ sets at the club, has now become a cult classic series which was recently ‘legalized’ when Universal Music India formally released these songs, making them widely available on all streaming platforms.

How’d you settle on your style & sound?  

We both grew up on a mix of South Asian and Western sounds as kids. Living in India, Bollywood music was all around us. But between our travels to the UK, US and beyond we got a lot of exposure to all kinds of genres, out of which we gravitated towards Hip Hop, RnB, Dubstep, Reggae and Dance music. Now when we produce we always try to make what feels right and sounds fresh. The same goes for our approach to being selectors. 

How do you decide on collaborations for tracks? What makes an artist appeal to you? 

We're open to collaborating with artists from all corners of the music community. What draws us to a collaboration is when someone shares a deep connection to today's music and brings a unique vision. We've worked with local talents like BC Azad and international icons such as Flowdan and Killa P. Our goal is to collaborate with artists from around the world, blending diverse influences to create a powerful fusion of sound that resonates across genres and cultures. The main deciding factor is usually how well we vibe with someone and how aligned we are.

How do you feel as you travel the world about south asian sound? How is it received? 

As we travel the world, it's amazing to see how South Asian sound is being embraced. Audiences aren’t just consuming it, they’re engaging with it, showing a deep appreciation for its authenticity. It's exciting to see South Asian music becoming a key part of the global soundscape, contributing to a meaningful cultural exchange. We hope this trend continues and we definitely will do what we can to make that happen =)

What style evolutions can we expect in the future? 

We are venturing into sampling and borrowing elements from more ancient and traditional Indian art forms such as Bharatnatiyam. We recently produced the soundtrack for a popular modern Bharatnatiyam show called Sakhi by Keelaka Dance Company. Another example is a project with the emcee RiSK where we are producing a series of devotional songs known as bhajans.

Besides this excellent album what else should we be on the lookout for? 

In 2024, we've been very active with our music releases, having already put out 12 tracks so far. Our main focus this year has been on refining our sound and consistently delivering high-quality music. We’ve dedicated a lot of time and energy into perfecting each release. Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue this momentum, as we have several more tracks lined up for release in the coming months. 

What's inspiring you right now outside of music? 

Life is full of inspiration. We both work in manufacturing businesses and that experience can serve as inspiration, even if it’s by stressing us out or winding us up so that music becomes our release.

Food group / activity best suited to enjoying your work? 

That’s an easy one. Mollywood is party music so anytime you’re ready to dance and party is a good time to put that on. But more broadly speaking, we recommend pairing MSB music with Hennesy / your favorite cognac. For our more chilled out music, a nice glass of natural wine should pair well.

Musically, who is new but making all the right moves? Who are your current OnesToWatch? 

He’s not new to the game, but David Marston is a close homie and collaborator of ours. We just finished producing a really fun remix together of a song by Lokre, who’s an amazing musician based in Toronto. We’ve never met her but just connected over IG, and when we heard her vocals it was a super smooth process to cook up the remix. The track is called Body and we’re getting ready to drop this one soon! Aside from that, in India there’s tons of great talent waiting to be heard by the rest of the world. Just to name a few there’s Stain and Kalbaisakhi who are both dope producers. And emcees that are doing their thing are Zefaan and Akash. India got a bunch of talented selectors and DJs, and Lush Lata and OG Shezi are top of the list.