Siddharth, widely known as S.I.D, is a versatile figure in Kannada hip-hop, functioning as a rapper, music producer, editor, and visual effects artist. With over 15 years in the industry, he is recognized for his technical skills, described as a force in the local scene. S.I.D has been acknowledged for his unique aesthetic and professional standard, delivering quality work to other artists as well. Among his career milestones, he was the first to create an RCB anthem and the first to shoot an internationally filmed music video in Kannada rap. His live performances, backed by a loyal fanbase, are known for their high energy and cinematic quality. S.I.D’s work has been instrumental in setting new benchmarks and advancing the Kannada rap scene.
Recently, the artist was spotlighted on TuneCore’s ‘Next,’ a flagship artist spotlight property by the global music distribution and artist development platform, TuneCore. Built for India, ‘Next’ spotlights independent artists from across the region who are at an inflection point in culture. In conversation with us, he talks to us about his journey so far.
1) Tell us a bit about your project. How did you begin your journey?
I’m just a small-town boy from Somwarpet in Coorg. Growing up, my mom had a deep love for music. She had a whole collection of Kannada movie cassettes, and I’d fall asleep to them playing on her old tape recorder. I think that’s where it all began.
As a kid, I was fascinated by the record button. I’d record my voice, play it back, and be mind-blown by that little piece of technology. In school, I would unknowingly beatbox and ask my friends to guess the song. Later, Vh1 introduced me to English music and expanded my sonic world.
The real turning point came in 2010. I was in Mysore doing my PU, and one evening my PG mate played Mockingbird by Eminem while we were on our way to Downtown (a popular burger joint back then). That moment changed everything. I had heard hip-hop before, but this time I understood it. Eminem wasn’t just rapping, he was telling a story. That song planted a seed in me: maybe I could tell my stories too.
So I downloaded instrumentals, wrote my first raps, and performed them in front of friends just to blow their minds (and feel good about it). We formed a crew in college called Blue Gangsters and performed at fests.
In 2011, I moved to Bangalore to study Animation and chase my dream of becoming a movie director. But destiny pulled me towards music. I installed a pirated version of FL Studio and started producing beats. When it came to choosing a stage name, I went with S.I.D ( influenced by my obsession with B.o.B at the time. Yes!, that’s the secret ).
Although I had a few Kannada verses ready, there wasn’t much of an audience for Kannada rap back then. So in 2014, I released Teri Yaari, a Hindi-English song where I rapped in English, followed by a few more English tracks. But deep down, I knew something was missing, ie authenticity.
That’s when I discovered Kannada rap pioneers MC Bijju and Martin Yo. They inspired me to return to my roots and release my first official Kannada rap video, Gaanchali. That release changed everything. It earned me recognition, a loyal fanbase, and most importantly, confidence.
Bijju later brought me on stage for my first live performance as S.I.D and I haven’t looked back since.
My second single, Rap Shishya, became a major hit and was one of the first Kannada music videos shot entirely on green screen with VFX. I was part of KA 01, Karnataka’s biggest independent hip-hop collab album, contributing Vegadootha, which was the fastest Kannada rap at that time.
Shoki, shot in Dubai, became the first Kannada rap video filmed internationally. I also created the first-ever RCB fan anthem in 2018. Tracks like Lit, X, and Shoonya developed cult fanbases. I went on to compose for 2 films, got featured on the title track of Golden Star Ganesh’s movie Sakkath. As an editor I have a different record. Have edited and delivered over 300 + music videos under my production house S.I.D Bombs and continue to evolve both as a multi talented artist.
Today, I’ve just released my debut studio album Supernova, and I’m super proud of how far this journey with music has taken me,from a tape recorder in Coorg to a full-fledged album that represents my evolution.
2) Which bands/artists were your first love? Who is your biggest influence?
Eminem was my first true influence. His technicality, storytelling, complex rhyme schemes and humor shaped the way I write and think about rap. He made me believe that emotions, struggles, and stories could be turned into powerful verses.
In recent years, The Weeknd has become a huge influence as well. I’ve been completely hooked on his sound,the dark, cinematic vibes, the synthwave-inspired production, and the emotional depth in his music have had a big impact on my creative direction.
3) Tell us a bit about your album Supernova.
Supernova is my debut studio album, and it’s more than just a collection of tracks. It’s a story about my relationship with music personified as a woman named Sangeeta.
The concept is set in the year 2056. The album begins with a skit where I wake up in a futuristic rehab, after overdosing on music and being kept in hibernation to detox from my addiction to her. But like every toxic love story, I escape, only to find myself drawn back to Sangeeta on a rainy night. We fall deeper in love, ride through high-energy phases of passion, ego, chaos and heartbreak, and by the end, we crash and burn.
Just like a star that explodes into a supernova before transforming, this breakup represents destruction, rebirth and artistic evolution. The final skit takes place in a skycar, symbolizing transcendence, healing and a new beginning.
Musically, the album blends hip-hop, synthwave, afro, R&B and baile funk, reflecting every emotional phase of that journey,addiction, ecstasy, destruction and rebirth.
Supernova is my rebirth as an artist.
4) What is your music-making and recording process like?
All the magic happens in my little bedroom studio , the same space I’ve been creating in since day one. It’s my comfort zone, my lab, and my universe.
Usually, I start by visualizing an idea or emotion in my head. Once the concept feels clear, I begin by creating the beat. The vibe of the beat sets the entire direction for me.
Next, I focus on crafting the hook , it’s the most important element for me. 99% of the time, I can’t write my verses without having a hook first. It’s like trying to reach a destination without GPS . I need the hook to guide the emotional tone and lyrical flow.
Once the hook is locked in, I move on to recording my vocals. There have been times when I’ve literally woken up in the middle of the night just to record a harmony or melodic idea before I lose it.
After that comes my favourite phase ,Mixing. This is where I sculpt the sound, bring it to life, and make every layer speak. Finally, I master the track, polish it up, and send it out into the world.
From my bedroom to digital stores, that’s the journey of every song I make.
5) Why do you make music? What drives you as a musician and what are your songs about?
Music is everything to me. It’s the reason I’m still here. Siddarth, is a very depressive person, has gone through some very dark phases. But when I discovered S.I.D within me, that’s when I truly felt alive. Music gave me purpose, identity and a reason to keep moving.
One of my biggest driving forces is my loyal fanbase. Many of them have been with me for over 10–11 years, watching me evolve and supporting me through every phase. I owe everything to them. Whenever I write or compose, I think about their experience , I want them to feel something with every track.
My music is deeply personal. Most of my songs are reflections of what I’m going through at that point in my life. For example, When I was going through a painful breakup, I created X (Ex) to get everything off my chest. When I wanted to speak about loyalty and realness, I wrote Loyalty. Every song becomes a timestamp — a chapter of my life that I can look back on.
So, why do I make music?
Because it saved me…
6) Which Indian bands or artists do you admire? And why?
My journey into the Indian independent scene started with Brodha V. His music was like a tunnel that introduced me to the entire world of Indian hip-hop and indie culture. I was also a huge fan of Machas With Attitude, the duo with another OG like Smokey The Ghost .They were ahead of their time.
I’ve always looked up to DIVINE . From Voice of the Streets to Walking on water, I’ve been a loyal listener. His rise from the gullies to the global stage is something that continues to inspire me deeply.
Another artist I truly admire is Hanumankind. He proved that no dream is too big and no stage is too far away if you believe in yourself. I love people who dream fearlessly and achieve relentlessly and he embodies that spirit.
7) What’s your take on the independent music scene in India?
It feels incredible to see how far the indie scene in India has evolved from the days of CDs and aux cables to now being streamed globally in seconds.
When I first started making music, YouTube wasn’t big and access to the internet was limited. There were hardly any proper platforms or ecosystems for independent artists. But today, every artist has the opportunity to create, distribute, and build a fanbase straight from their bedroom and that’s beautiful.
What inspires me the most is seeing Indian artists now getting recognized internationally and collaborating on a global level. That pushes me to dream bigger and break every barrier in front of me because if they can do it, so can I, and I won’t stop until I get there.
I’m grateful to all the OGs of Indian indie scene who paved the way and built this culture fearlessly. Thanks to them, indie music in India is no longer just a scene, it’s a global force in the making.
