DJ NYK wants to break the genre barrier
Samarth Goyal
Freedom to create what he loves is what DJ NYK is looking for. And so finding a place in Bollywood — at the risk of getting stuck in a genre — isn’t a priority for the Delhiborn electronic musician and disc jockey, whose real name is Nikhil Sahni. “I’m known for Bollywood remixes, but there is so much more that I can create besides just Bollywood. I want to break the barriers of genres!” says the 33-year-old.
NYK recently became one of the few Indian DJs to receive the YouTube Silver Play Button Creator Award for crossing one lakh subscribers.
The musician, who tasted success with his remix of Billu from the Shah Rukh Khanstarrer Billu Barber (2009). “It was a dream come true that my first-ever project was for a film starring Shah Rukh Khan. And the response I got, from not just from the fans, but from the people who were involved in the film, encouraged me and gave me the confidence to keep doing the same thing,” says NYK, who has also remixed for films starring Akshay Kumar, Shahid Kapoor among others.
NYK’s podcasts where he talks about music have got appreciation from popular electronic musicians such as Nicky Romero, Quintino, Kura, Bassjackers and Nervo.
“It’s a great feeling, naturally. For a guy who is known for remixing Bollywood numbers, to get the kind of support from such popular musicians across the globe is a very flattering experience, to be honest. These things only encourage me and tell me that I am on the right path,” he says.
Apart from creating music, it is also important for NYK to help groom and support upcoming talent. His record label Play Life Records scouts and gives platform to young Indian EDM Producers. His DJ/music production school, the Electronyk Academy, in New Delhi, trains and mentors aspiring DJs.
“The idea behind creating a music label and an academy is to help the upcoming talent to establish themselves. When I was just starting in the industry, I had no help from anyone, and I had to do it on my own. I want to change that, and try and help young musicians find a direction,” he ends.