Indian artists NAALAYAK, Kushagra, and VENGAYO have been named among Amazon Music's Global 2026 Artists To Watch. This announcement highlights the growing influence of Indian music on the global stage. The "Artists to Watch" campaign will feature these rising stars on 28 playlists across various genres and regions. Amazon Music also intends to promote the artists through in-app and out-of-home marketing, as well as "bespoke content that brings fans closer to the stories behind the music".
Kushagra, a singer-songwriter, has gained popularity in 2025 with his song "Finding Her," which topped streaming charts. He has also released songs like "Better With You," "Last Love," and "Moon" from his project UR Debut. VENGAYO, also known as Issac Naveen, is a Tamil artist who blends genres and is known for his hit song "Chikkama" and his unique visual style. NAALAYAK, whose real name is Sahil Samuel, is a pop-rock artist whose recent album Marammat features introspective pop songs like "3am Thoughts" and rock songs like "Gulfam".
Amazon Music commissioned VENGAYO to record a reimagined version of "Chikkama" for Amazon Music Originals, which is available exclusively on the platform. Several other artists have also contributed Amazon Music Originals, including JayDon covering Aaliyah's "One in a Million," Zach John King with "As It Was," Chloe Qisha with "The Winner Takes It All," Jamie MacDonald with "Just The Two of Us," Bebo Dumont with "Vamonos De Viaje," and Friqtao, who contributed a new Amazon Music instrumental for the “Peaceful Meditation” soundtrack.
The inclusion of Kushagra, NAALAYAK, and VENGAYO on the global list reflects the growing reach of Indian indie and regional sounds. Kushagra's "Finding Her" became a viral sensation, crossing 500 million streams globally. NAALAYAK's album Marammat has been praised for its honest portrayal of heartbreak and healing through Hindi-Urdu lyrics. VENGAYO's blend of kuthu and gaana with modern hip-hop in "Chikkama" demonstrates the global appeal of regional Indian music.
Paul Firth, Amazon Music's global head of music, stated that "Artists To Watch is one of the most meaningful initiatives we lead each year, because it's about backing artists early, and championing them at this crucial stage in their career". He added that for 2026, they are spotlighting 49 "exceptional emerging artists from around the world".
The "Amazon Music: 2026 Artists To Watch" playlist is live, allowing listeners to explore the full list of artists. The playlist will be updated throughout the year as new music is released. Other artists featured on the list include Ejae, Fcukers, President, Destin Conrad and Adam Klobi. Amazon Music's 2025 Artists to Watch included Addison Rae, Mk.gee, Sammy Virji, and Gigi Perez.
