MUMBAI: London-based DJ and producer DJ LYAN is rapidly becoming a defining voice in the global electronic music scene — and he’s doing it by bringing South Asian sounds to spaces they’ve never been before. With his track “Lost,” a bold reimagining of the Punjabi classic Laung Gawacha featuring Khushi K, LYAN delivers a haunting yet high-energy fusion of traditional vocals and cutting-edge production.
“Laung Gawacha has always been bold, haunting, and full of attitude. When Khushi sent me a voice note of her singing it, something just clicked. Her tone was so raw and distinctive — I could already hear the beat in my head,” LYAN shares.
But this isn’t just another remix — it’s a reimagination.
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“I didn’t want to just remix it. I wanted to reimagine it through the lens of who we are now: second-gen, global, connected to our roots but fully in the now.”
Making History on a Global Stage
In 2024, DJ LYAN became the first South Asian DJ to perform on Ultra Japan’s main stage — and the first to place a Punjabi track in FIFA FC25. But with every milestone, his mission remains clear: representation with integrity.
“It’s about balance. I’m not here to water it down. I want people to feel the weight of our rhythms, the feeling of our melodies, layered with the kind of production that moves global dancefloors.”
“Playing Ultra and getting into FIFA is massive — but it only means something if the culture comes with me.”
Shaped by the Streets of East London
Born and raised in East London as a second-generation immigrant, LYAN’s sound is steeped in cultural contrasts — from classical South Asian melodies to the grit of grime and garage.
“At home, I was hearing cultural records. On the streets, it was grime, garage, and UK bass. That mix shaped everything. My sound reflects that clash and harmony. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it represents both where I’m from and where my people came from.
The EP: Thank You Come Again
His 2023 EP, Thank You Come Again, is a bold exploration of cross-cultural exchange — house and dance music filtered through a South Asian lens without leaning on cliché “fusion” tropes.
“I wasn’t trying to make ‘fusion’ just for the sake of it. I wanted both worlds to exist naturally in the same space.”
“This EP was me leaning into my heritage — letting it guide the groove, not just decorate it.”
The Future of South Asian Music, According to DJ LYAN
As the global spotlight turns toward South Asian sounds, LYAN sees a future filled with innovation, not imitation.
“South Asian music’s having a moment right now, but this is just the start. I see the genre evolving beyond the obvious — not just Bollywood samples and tabla loops, but South Asian artists leading in house, garage, drill, experimental — on our own terms.”
He’s not just riding the wave — he’s helping shape it.
“If I can open doors, shift perceptions, and still keep it real to who I am — that means I’m doing my part.”
