Mumbai: King is set to be seen as a mentor on the upcoming I-POPSTAR Vol. 2, where he will be looking for artists who are not only talented but also have the hunger to build something of their own. For King, the second season is an opportunity to discover fresh voices and give them the right guidance as they begin their musical journey.
Talking about what he wants from the artists on his team, King says he is not looking for someone who is only interested in instant popularity. “I would want an artist who is honest and who has not come here just for the moment, but someone who wants to play the long game. I really like artists who are in it for the long run—five years, ten years, fifteen years—and who want to build their own legacy,” he says.
King believes that raw and original talent is becoming increasingly important because a lot of music today comes with a certain level of polish even before an artist gets an opportunity to experiment. “I am always looking for that, along with raw talent. I want someone who genuinely has something inside them that they want to express,” he says.
For him, an artist should have their own identity instead of simply trying to sound like what is already popular. “I am looking for original talent, honest talent and raw talent. I also want someone who has the hunger to go further,” he adds.
King also feels that music reality shows have played an important role in helping new artists find an audience. He believes I-POPSTAR Vol. 2 is particularly interesting because the artists are creating original music rather than simply depending on existing songs.
“You have a platform where new artists are constantly coming in and presenting original music. You can discover your own favourite artist and become a part of their journey,” he says.
With Season 2 also taking the difficulty level up, King expects the artists to be pushed further. The contestants will have to create new music within a short period, making the journey more challenging as well as exciting.
For King, the real reward will be finding artists who are willing to work hard, stay honest to their music and think beyond the immediate moment. I-POPSTAR Vol. 2 will give him a chance to mentor exactly that kind of talent.
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