Anirudh Ravichander Joins Hands with Universal Music India for Albuquerque Records
March 17, 2026 Published by rajeshe092eb6a68
Universal Music India has officially announced an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, the independent label recently launched by singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander. This collaboration marks a significant step in expanding the reach of Indian pop and hip-hop music on a global scale.
Under this agreement, Universal Music India and Albuquerque Records will jointly release Anirudh’s future independent music, along with tracks from new artists signed to the label. The first release under this partnership is scheduled for early April and will feature Anirudh himself.
The collaboration is designed to amplify Anirudh’s artistic vision while also building a platform for emerging talent in the pop and hip-hop space. Over time, Albuquerque Records aims to become a hub for upcoming artists from across the region, offering them a global stage.
Anirudh Ravichander, who made a sensational debut with the viral hit “Why This Kolaveri Di” in 2012, has since built an extraordinary career. With over 13 billion streams across more than 770 tracks, he stands as one of the most streamed South Indian artists globally. His chart-topping hits like Hukum, Vaathi Coming, and Arabic Kuthu have further cemented his position in the music industry.
For Universal Music India, this partnership aligns with its continued focus on South Indian music markets, spanning Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada industries. The association with Anirudh is expected to strengthen its footprint in pop and hip-hop—genres that are rapidly gaining influence among younger audiences.
Speaking about the collaboration, Devraj Sanyal, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music India, highlighted Anirudh as a bold and original artist with immense global potential, adding that the partnership reflects the company’s commitment to nurturing transformative talent.
Anirudh, on his part, described Albuquerque Records as a homegrown, artist-led initiative aimed at supporting independent voices and taking their music to global audiences. He expressed confidence that Universal Music India, with its leadership in pop and hip-hop, is the ideal partner to help realize that vision.
Sanujeet Bhujabal, MD of Universal Music India, also emphasized Anirudh’s influence beyond film music, noting that Albuquerque Records represents a bold new creative space that will shape the future of Indian pop (iPop) and independent music.
With this partnership, Anirudh Ravichander is not only expanding his own musical journey but also paving the way for the next generation of independent Indian artists to reach audiences worldwide.
