UpsideDown is a South Asian producer, songwriter, and DJ hailing from Toronto. His music brings a unique mix of Hip Hop, R&B, and Pop, while combining it with traditional instruments and modern production. DJ UpsideDown has worked with artists such as Mickey Singh, Raghav, Raxtar, and others.
As one of our favorite artists, we got the chance to talk to UpsideDown about his music.
For those who may not know you, tell us a little bit about yourself.
UpsideDown: I’m UpsideDown – a music producer and DJ from Toronto. I make music dance/electronic music with a hint of our culture in it.
You started out at University of Toronto studying mechanical engineering but ended up moving to L.A. to pursue music. How did you realize music was what you wanted to do long-term?
UpsideDown: I’ve been really passionate about music and art since I was a kid. I started making beats in school and knew that I wanted to somehow be involved in music as I grew older. Being brought up in a South Asian household, music is not always considered a viable career option, so I went to school to get my engineering degree.
I started working full time but soon realized that music was what I really wanted to do. I quit my job and gave myself a year so see if music would work out – and thankfully it did!
Your music talents range from hip-hop and R&B to even EDM – how did you learn to produce different types of music? Do you have a favorite genre?
UpsideDown: I mostly taught myself how to produce. I played the keys just enough to know basic music chords and scales but that was it. I started to emulate what other producers were doing at that time and basically through trial and error started making decent beats. I’m still learning everyday.
Let’s talk about musical influence, who are some artists and producers that you look up to? Do you have any Punjabi music influences, if so, who are they?
UpsideDown: I’ve always looked up to producers such as Timbaland, Dr. Dre and Pharrell in my early days. However, recently I’ve been inspired by a lot of different producers and artists.
I am really inspired by the likes of Skrillex, Diplo, DJ Snake and such. Yes – I’ve been a Rishi Rich fan since I was a kid. He’s a pioneer of our industry, especially for producers, who I feel like opened a lot of doors for musicians like myself.
You’ve worked with a ton of Urban Desi Artists (Mickey Singh, The PropheC, and others) – who has been your favorite to work with so far?
UpsideDown: It’s always a different experience every time. I’m glad that I’ve shared great chemistry on a personal level and in the studio with most of the artists I’ve worked with and I think it translates into the music we put out.
You produced one of Mickey Singh’s most listened song on Spotify and YouTube (“Phone”) that has over 31 million streams combined. Where did the inspiration for the song come from? Did you expect the song to be such a huge success?
UpsideDown: The inspiration for Phone was very spontaneous. Mickey and I were vibing in the studio when I played the chords to the track. He started singing rough melodies which both of us thought were so different from everything that was out there at that point.
We completed the track in 3 hours! I personally did not think Phone would turn out to what it is now because it was a new concept at the time and we didn’t know if the audience would vibe with it, however I’m grateful that it did!
Let’s shift a minute to your EP ‘Ups & Down’. One of our favorite tracks is ‘Flute’ – how did you come up with flute melody and how were you able to blend it into an EDM track?
UpsideDown: I was working on this concept track and had already made the drop without the flute in it. However, I think I was going through beat block at the time and had absolutely no idea what to do for the drop. After I revisited the project, I stumbled upon this flute sound that I started messing around with sonically to create that pattern that is in the final track. Once I had the pattern, I modified the rest of the track to accentuate the flute while keeping a trap vibe.
When it comes to the EDM genre – how important is it to have South Asian DJs and artists in this community? How have artists like KSHMR and Jai Wolf pave a way for South Asian artists like yourself to succeed?
UpsideDown: I think it is really important – if you look at the EDM scene, there are artists from all over the world who are performing at music festivals and clubs bringing everyone together, and I personally want to be a part of this movement. I think because of artists like KSHMR and Jai Wolf, producers can dream big and know that other avenues of fulfilling their creative abilities also exist.
How did it feel to be part of the Urban Desi Music Conference in NY? Why is it important to showcase talent in the Urban South Asian community?
UpsideDown: As an artist I really appreciate the movement started by Urban Desi Conference. I’ve performed at all 3 that have happened over the years and had an amazing experience. I think it’s really important for upcoming artists to showcase their talent and UDC provides them with the platform to do so.
We see you most recently released Nakhra with Happy Singh and 2AM with Reha Raj – what can we expect next from you?
UpsideDown: I’m working on a bunch of projects right now that are in the pipeline. I’m building off of Ups & Downs and working on the second EP, however I’ll be collaborating with other artists a lot more on this one. I’ve locked down some projects with some of my favorite artists and can’t wait to release those tracks!
Final fun question, if you had to pick a favorite, Jazzy B or Sukhbir? Chamkila or Bindrakhia?
UpsideDown: Tough one, but – Jazzy B and Bindrakhia.
DJ UpsideDown’s journey is proof that creative dreams—and beats—know no boundaries. From Toronto to LA, and from engineering lectures to sold out shows, his story inspires a new generation of South Asian artists to remix tradition and pursue their passions. As he gears up for his next big collaborations, one thing’s for sure: the movement he represents is only getting louder. If you’d like to learn more about UpsideDown, check out his website at www.djupsidedown.com and be sure to follow him online below!
Stay tuned to brwncltr for more stories from the artists shaping our soundscapes.
