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Before streaming, there was MTV, Channel V and the cassette. These five acts made non-film Indian pop a nationwide obsession between 1995 and 2000.
For a few years in the late 1990s, Indian pop that wasn't tied to a film could top the charts. Music channels played the videos, cassettes sold in huge numbers, and these artists became household names.
This Lineup is about the artists, not a single playlist. Here's who they were, what they released, and three songs each.
For the song list, read 90s Indipop Songs. For Lucky Ali's full catalogue, see Lucky Ali Songs.
Lucky Ali's 1996 album Sunoh, with "O Sanam", made him one of the defining voices of 90s Indipop. His warm, unhurried singing suited the era's music videos perfectly.
He carried that sound into the 2000s with "Kitni Haseen Zindagi" from Aks and film songs like "Na Tum Jano Na Hum" from Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. He's still performing live to sold-out crowds.
Start with "O Sanam". Then play "Kitni Haseen Zindagi".
Essential tracks
Euphoria, fronted by Palash Sen, brought pop rock into 90s Indipop. Their 1998 album Dhoom included "Dhoom Pichuck" with Shubha Mudgal, and Phir Dhoom (2000) gave them "Maaeri".
They kept recording long after the Indipop boom ended. In 2021 they released "Baavra", featuring Kyna Sen.
Start with "Maaeri". Then play "Dhoom Pichuck".
Colonial Cousins is the duo of singer Hariharan and composer Lesle Lewis. Their 1996 debut album mixed Indian classical vocals with English pop and won them a big audience in India and beyond.
"Sa Ni Dha Pa" and "Kai Zhala" from the debut defined their sound. The Way We Do It followed in 1998.
Start with "Kai Zhala". Then play "The Way We Do It".
Essential tracks
Daler Mehndi took bhangra pop to the top of the Indian charts in the late 1990s. His 1995 album Bolo Ta Ra Ra became a national hit, and "Ho Jayegi Balle Balle" made him one of the decade's biggest stars.
His larger-than-life videos and voice made him an Indipop icon. He's still releasing music and singing for films.
Start with "Bolo Ta Ra Ra". Then play "Ho Jayegi Balle Balle".
Essential tracks
Silk Route was a Delhi band active from 1996 to 2002, fronted by Mohit Chauhan. Their 1998 album Boondein gave Indipop "Dooba Dooba", one of the era's most-loved songs.
Pehchan followed in 2000. Chauhan later became one of Hindi cinema's best-known playback singers. On Spotify, Silk Route's catalogue sits under his artist profile, so that's the photo and profile we've linked here.
Start with "Dooba Dooba". Then play "Boondein".
Essential tracks
