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Are you tired of listening to Rang Barse (old and new) on a loop? Will you finally tell your friend you won’t “do them a favour” and (let's) play Holi? For decades, Bollywood music has held the lion’s share in the annual Holi mixtape. Despite the eye-rolls, we’ll all still end up shaking a leg to Balam Pichkari and Hori Khele Raghuveera when they inevitably come on. But how about spicing things up this year? Or, at the very least, interspersing the filmy beats in your Holi playlist with some pop, electronic, desi rap and even Punjabi numbers. Remember, the one with the AUX has all the power. This Holi, let it be you — and a playlist that makes you worthy of it.
Holi 2024: 10 non-Bollywood groovy songs that will pump up your Holi playlist
1. Players by Badshah, Karan Aujila and Devika Badyal
When two rap powerhouses come together, they’re bound to create an infectious track that blends a folk sound with a healthy dose of hip-hop and funk.
In an earlier interview with GQ, Armaan Malik wanted to create a new sound that would become synonymous with Indian pop. The singer-songwriter is succeeding in this mission with songs like Mere Khayaalon Mein, which will instantly get you picking up the hookstep.
If you’re throwing a Holi party scheduled to turn into a rager as the day goes on, include this head-banger of a track by hip-hop powerhouses Seedhe Maut feat Badshah.
You may have heard this in the Ananya Panday-starrer Kho Gaye Hum Kahan, but singer-songwriter Ambika Nayak, aka Kayan, released it as part of an independent album (of the same name) back in 2020. Pro-tip: play this at the party's start and end when your guests need to mellow in and out.
Anything but mellow, Diljit Dosanjh’s Kinni Kinni will get anyone on the dance floor. The popular singer-cum-actor performed this chart-busting track at Radhika Merchant and Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar, where he was joined on stage by Karisma Kapoor.
Another hip-hop track that will get everyone grooving hard is Farhan Khan’s Tezz, which was made in collaboration with singer J Trix and sound producer Mr Doss.
Indian-American musician KSHMR, whose recent tracks have been dominating Spotify India, has released a super fun dance number that’ll set the vibe at your Holi party.
This one’s a no-brainer. AP Dhillon’s With You should be on every non-film music playlist and should be the sing-along track for the day.
The unexpected Jonita Gandhi and Ali Sethi collab track has it all: American pop, Qawwali, and Indian classical—a perfect blend of music to match the vibe of the day.
After their chart-busting track, Dilbar, Tech Panda, and Kenzani teamed up with Raxstar, Hari, and Sukhmani to create yet another high-octane single that will get everyone moving.
