At just 19, Colle$ttye is part of a growing cohort of next-gen artists experimenting with the mainstream sound of Indian hip-hop. Based in Noida, he’s been steadily building his discography with self-produced tracks and visual experimentation, blending rap, trap, and melodic elements into his evolving sonic identity. With projects like Habromania and Yakuza, he’s carving an alt sonic space. In this interview, Colle$ttye talks about the turning points in his journey, the music that changed him, and the mindset behind his sound and visuals.
1. The Moment You Knew You Were an Artist
The moment where I felt like an artist was when I made the first track of Habromania, ‘Tomar.’ I talked about everything that had happened to me throughout the years. It helped me break the fourth wall I had with myself and my music. I barely talk about personal struggles, and this track helped me cope with some aggression I’d carried for years. It just clicked. I thought, if I keep expressing myself through music, someone out there would understand. I produced it too—so it felt like a complete song, fully mine.
2. A Song You Love That No One Talks About
I’m very, very proud of ‘Iktitam.’ It’s the last song on the album and honestly, none of my friends even mentioned it when I sent them the album. But to me, it’s one of the best romantic songs I’ve made. It’s got guitars, piano, trap drums… the mix by Anxious was perfect. I’m a little off-scale in it, but that’s why I love it more. It feels raw. You can hear the pain in my voice. It’s not a track people will love on the first listen, but give it time—it’ll grow on you.
3. A Song That Changed You
The Last Song I Made for You was the last track on Yakuza and it really was the last song I made for a certain someone. That song made me realize I was just wasting time on someone who didn’t care anymore. I was pouring everything out for nothing. I gave up my self-respect, my energy—and I just knew I had to stop. After making that song, I told myself to move on, stop whining in real life and in songs, and keep experimenting.
4. What Keeps Showing Up In Your Music
I’ve been saying UP16 and referencing Noida a lot recently because I just love the city. I’ve lived here since 2006. People troll it, but I think it’s still got so much potential. I get to chill with my small group of friends here. No clubs, no parties—just cruising around in a 2017 Honda City. This life feels more real, more fun than anything else.
5. On Insecurity & Feeling Stuck Creatively
Every day feels like the last day as an artist. You’re so overstimulated with ideas, and when you finally get some out, they still feel wrong. I have major insecurity issues. People in 11th grade made fun of my music and it stuck with me. I’ve always felt like I’ll never be ‘good’ no matter what I do—and that’s something I hate about myself.
6. Has Your Sound Changed Because of You—or in Spite of You?
My sound evolved because of changes in my life. If they didn’t happen, I’d probably still be making only love songs. I stepped out of that love-shit zone because I don’t have that in my life anymore. That pushed me to build a new soundscape, and I’m glad. It lets me do both—rap and sing—with autotune, of course.
7. The Music You’d Make If No One Was Watching
I’ve never thought about the algorithm in my life. I’m a free soul—I create what I want. The moment I start thinking about it, the song stops hitting for me. There’s no limit to what I want to make. I want to try every genre, but it depends on the day and what I’m feeling. That decides the vibe.
8. Your Creative Process, Start to Finish
I always start with the instrumental. If I’m producing, I take my time finding the right sounds. Sometimes I don’t even write or record on it until the next day. If someone else made the beat, I go through a bunch until something hits. Once I feel it—I just press record and say whatever the fuck I want. Every session is different. One thing’s constant though: I have to be alone. The moment someone enters, I become the most cautious man on the planet.
9. On Building a Visual Identity
My first music video was simple, kind of generic. But once I saw it worked, I started thinking deeply about visuals. I draw inspiration from everything I see. I make the moodboard, write the script, and control the vibe—but I let the director tweak it. I’ve always thought about directing my own videos. Maybe I’ll start soon. It gives me way more control.
10. What You Bring to the Scene
The scene is oversaturated with certain subgenres. Other forms that deserve attention don’t get it. Most mainstream rappers here are 30. No way they and I have the same influences. I grew up on Uzi, Trippie, Young Thug—all of them taught me you can be weird, experiment, do whatever you want. That’s what I’m doing. Fresh sonics, fresh visuals. That’s my thing.
11. Leaving behind a legacy
I used to say I didn’t care about legacy—but that was bullshit. I want to be remembered as someone who stood for freedom and self-expression. I’m just a 19-year-old from Noida trying to express himself through music because I don’t know how to talk about these things otherwise. I want to be known as someone who gave this rap game something new to play with, while always staying true to myself.
