From Singapore to Vienna With Love, Dhruv Lights the Way

Global impact

While Dhruv was unhurriedly walking to the venue for his performance in Vienna, two girls ran up to him, bursting into tears of joy. This unexpected encounter left Dhruv amazed, especially considering he was only the opening act of the show headlined by Jordan Rakei.

“It’s crazy. To have people want to see me in a part of the world that I’ve never been before, and for them to be so emotionally responsive, to know so much about me… It’s a weird experience and weird feeling.”

With roots in India and having grown up in Singapore, his multicultural background plays a role in his identity as an artist. He takes pride in representing Southeast Asia in the music industry—a region he feels is often overlooked in the global music scene.

“For me, there aren’t many artists who are in the [English music] industry who have that background, so it’s something that makes me very proud,” Dhruv explains. And so, he aims to spotlight the “unbelievable talent” he’s encountered in the region and sees it as a priority despite still being a rising artist himself.

Musical evolution

The artist’s latest album, Private Blizzard, marks a significant milestone in Dhruv’s career. This collection of songs explores themes of vulnerability, self-discovery, and emotional growth. With its introspective lyrics and nuanced production, the album represents his most intimate work to date. He sees this openness as a way to forge stronger connections with his audience and make these relationships even more meaningful through his heartfelt music.

After the emotional intensity of this album though, he’s eager to explore a lighter tone, saying, “I want to do something very light and very fun. My thing is I like to switch it up with every album is the feeling that I’m getting.”

By sharing his music and fostering connections across the world, he’s a beacon of representation for aspiring artists from the region. Interestingly, Dhruv’s name means “North Star” in Hindi—a fact that has endeared him further to his fans, who call themselves “moons.” This celestial connection between artist and audience seems fitting for a musician whose star is undoubtedly on the rise.

This story appears in the pages of VMAN SEA 01: now available for purchase!

Photography Stefan Kohli

Special thanks Sony Music Entertainment Philippines