Reaching the paramount

DJ Kerano has become the first Indian artist to reach No.1 at Beatport TOP 100 PH chart with his popular track, "Breathing", beating the likes of Diablo and Axwell amongst others. His debut track “Here I Stand”, in collaboration with Tom Swoon also hit #4 on the Beatport, considered to be the top most music website in the world.

Kerano is the first Indian to release on America’s biggest dance music label ULTRA. Born and raised in New Delhi, DJ Kerano has always known he's wanted to make music. He's been a drummer since he was 4, started songwriting when he was 14, and finally hit the studio in college where he was introduced to the world of dance music.

His passion behind the console is reflected in his powerful sets filled with his own bootlegs and mashups. Since then there has been no looking back for him. He is now signed with MusicAllStars publishing and has upcoming collaborations with Magnificence and a Dutch artist. All of 22, the young DJ and producer talks about his number one position, his stint in music and the scenario of Indian DJs.

Now you reached the number 1 spot, what is your strategy from here on?
The strategy doesn't change really. I had decided right from the beginning of my career that I want to make less noise and hype around myself, and just let the music do the talking. I think by hitting the number one position, I and my team have proved that the strategy worked. We're going to work harder to achieve my goals for the year. What those goals are - you will find out when the time is right.

Why do you think you have reached the No. 1 position?
It's been a long journey from the time the track was conceptualised to the time when it actually hit #1. A lot of hard work went into the production and the promotion as well. I have an amazing support system from friends and family, and of course followers of my music, who went out and bought and supported the track. I'm always going to be grateful to them!

You are the first Indian to achieve this feat; do you think it will pave the way for more Indian DJs?
I'm sure it will give other Indian DJs a reality check in the sense that they can literally achieve anything that they want to if they single-mindedly hunt down their dreams! I'm doing the same, every day.

What is the current status of Indian DJs in the world of music?
Indian DJs are underrated. We are way bigger and better than what we are projected out to be. It's a natural theory that we as Indians are ready to accept a stamped and sealed product from the west a little more easily, especially in such a competitive industry. We need to be backed up and supported as headliners in our own country for this perception to change. When an international artist (small or big) comes perform in our country, the Indian artist, playing the opening set don’t get any importance. Until we as an industry don't value our artists more, nothing will change.

Who is your inspiration?
Steve Angello. I love the fact that in this tornado like the industry that's shifting trajectory every three months, there are still a few artists who are sticking to their sound. That's the mark of a musician.

What is music to you?
Music to me is the simplest yet most powerful form of expression. It is literally impossible to hurt someone with music.

What is the future of Beatport and its scenario in India?
Beatport is obviously the main platform for sales at least as far as the dance music industry is concerned. Of course, there's iTunes and now Spotify as well that are really picking up. I think people in India are getting more and more used to actually buying music, so a website like Beatport is doing well in India but on the global demographic I've been reading that it is being overtaken by Spotify.