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Spotlight: South Asian Muslim Producers to Watch After the Kobalt–Madverse Deal

UUnknown

2026-02-16

11 min read

Ten South Asian Muslim producers to watch post Kobalt–Madverse, with bios, collaboration ideas, and 2026 publishing tactics.

Ever felt lost finding Muslim-friendly, family-safe collaborators in South Asia’s booming indie scene? The Kobalt–Madverse deal changes the game — here are the producers to watch next.

Independent artists and community curators have long struggled with fragmented publishing systems, opaque royalty flows, and the challenge of scaling South Asian sonic identities to global audiences. The January 2026 partnership between Kobalt and India’s Madverse promises streamlined publishing administration and wider royalty collection — a practical opening for rising South Asian Muslim producers and songwriters to level up. This spotlight curates talents who stand to gain most from expanded publishing networks, and gives clear collaboration pathways and actionable next steps.

The moment: why the Kobalt–Madverse deal matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 saw rapid growth in demand for South Asian sounds across film, streaming TV, advertising, and gaming. International content creators are searching for authentic voices — and publishers are responding. The Kobalt–Madverse partnership means:

Global royalty collection for works registered in Indian and South Asian territories.
Better metadata and rights administration, which increases sync clearance speed — a decisive advantage for producers pitching to film and ad buyers.
Access to Kobalt’s sync and licensing teams, opening doors to western TV shows, ads, and games that want South Asian textures.

For Muslim artists — whose content often sits between devotional, cultural, and mainstream pop — these improvements translate into fairer pay and clearer pathways to global collaborative projects.

How we curated this list

This set of producers and songwriters was selected based on three signals in early 2026: streaming playlist traction (regional and diaspora playlists), recent festival and live-event bookings, and direct submissions to community platforms (including Mashallah Live open calls). They represent a mix of beat-makers, film-oriented composers, and songwriter-producers who have shown cross-market potential.

10 South Asian Muslim producers & songwriters to watch — and how they can benefit

Each profile includes a short bio, the specific publishing benefits to pursue, and suggested collaborators to amplify reach.

1. Noor “Nuri” Qureshi — The cinematic arranger

Noor blends orchestral strings with tabla and electronic textures, scoring indie films and short-form web series. Her work sits well for emotional scenes and international indie dramas.

Publishing wins to target: Register cues and stems for sync use; push for blanket sync deals for episodic shows.
Suggested collaborations: Co-write with film composers in Bollywood and UK-based TV composers; pitch to Netflix and Amazon South Asia music supervisors via Madverse/Kobalt channels — and learn practical pitching lessons from guides on how to pitch bespoke series to platforms.
Actionable step: Catalog and upload detailed cue sheets (time-stamped), and register ISWCs for each theme this quarter.

2. Sami “SamiBeat” Khan — The electronic–folk alchemist

Sami fuses Punjabi folk loops with UK garage and R&B production. He’s already getting traction on diaspora playlists and TikTok remixes.

Publishing wins to target: Ensure sampling clearances and split sheets are clean to make remixes and features lucrative.
Suggested collaborations: Pair with British Asian rappers and nasheed vocalists for fusion singles; target sync in fashion ads that use South Asian club sound.
Actionable step: Standardize split agreements before releasing collaborations; provide stems and metadata when submitting to playlist curators.

3. Aaliya Rahman — The devotional-pop songwriter

Aaliya writes contemporary nasheed and soulful faith-affirming music designed for family audiences. She’s adept at multilingual hooks (Urdu, English, Bengali).

Publishing wins to target: Religious and children’s programming often lacks good licensing representation. Use Madverse’s local presence to secure syncs with family streaming channels.
Suggested collaborations: Feature family-friendly radio hosts, children’s TV producers, and Muslim podcasts seeking signature theme music.
Actionable step: Create a short catalog of theme-ready songs (0:30–1:00) to market for podcast/TV themes.

4. Imran “I.M.” Siddiqui — The sample-driven beatmaker

Imran specializes in soulful sample flips—vinyl textures, qawwali samples, and 90s Bollywood hooks reworked for trap/R&B contexts.

Publishing wins to target: Publishing admin helps with sample-clearance revenue splits; Kobalt’s global network can simplify claims from platforms.
Suggested collaborations: Western hip-hop artists wanting South Asian spice; international DJs looking for festival-ready remixes.
Actionable step: Maintain a sample source ledger and pursue pre-clears for top-performing beats.

5. Zara & The Dervish Collective — The fusion ensemble

A collaborative project led by producer Zara, the Dervish Collective blends Sufi-influenced melodies with contemporary electronica and live instrumentation.

Publishing wins to target: Joint works mean complex splits; publishing partners can automate and enforce fair collections for mechanicals and performance royalties.
Suggested collaborations: World-music festivals, documentary filmmakers, and curated soundtracks for mindfulness apps.
Actionable step: Consolidate group songwriting credits in a single publisher agreement to avoid fragmented admin.

6. Fahad “F-Note” Malik — The indie-pop craftsman

Fahad writes hooks with cross-over potential — indie pop that nods to South Asian chord sensibilities. He’s a strong candidate for playlist-driven growth.

Publishing wins to target: Sync placement opportunities for teen dramas and coming-of-age films; mechanical royalties from high-streaming catalogs.
Suggested collaborations: Pair with emerging South Asian indie vocalists and western alt-pop producers to create bilingual singles.
Actionable step: Prepare pitch kits with stems, lyric sheets, and bilingual lyric translations for supervisors.

7. Bilal “B-Keys” Ansari — The keyboardist/composer for TV

Bilal’s forte is underscore and short musical motifs for serial TV. He’s rapidly becoming a go-to for digital-first shows needing recognizable musical signatures.

Publishing wins to target: Catalog administration for episodic cues; ensure cue sheets are submitted after each broadcast/stream.
Suggested collaborations: Work with indie production houses and podcast networks that need sonic branding.
Actionable step: Use Madverse’s local relationships to ensure accurate broadcast reporting and prompt royalty claims.

8. Mehek Noor — The folk-sample songsmith

Mehek reimagines South Asian folk songs with modern arrangements and lyric-driven storytelling, making her catalogue sync-friendly for travel and lifestyle content.

Publishing wins to target: Geographic micro-licensing for travel and cultural programming; Madverse can help tailor local license terms.
Suggested collaborations: International documentary filmmakers, travel vloggers, and culinary shows showcasing South Asian cuisine.
Actionable step: Create an indexed folk-sample library with clear provenance to speed licensing conversations.

9. Yusuf “YusEx” Khan — The hybrid R&B producer

Yusuf mixes classic R&B progressions with tabla, dholak, and warm analog synths. He has a strong ear for vocal production and hook writing.

Publishing wins to target: Mechanical royalty splits on collaborations; sync for romance and lifestyle playlists.
Suggested collaborations: Diaspora R&B vocalists, neo-soul bands, and fashion brands seeking moody soundtracks.
Actionable step: Systematize co-write agreements and register splits in your PRO and with Kobalt/Madverse promptly — store authoritative copies in robust cloud storage to avoid disputes (see storage and ops tradeoffs for hybrid cloud).

10. Rida Khan — The experimental sound designer

Rida crafts textured, ambient soundscapes for film trailers, art installations, and branded experiences — a strong candidate for global sync in experiential marketing.

Publishing wins to target: Negotiate library licensing deals and pay-per-use syncs; publishing admin makes micro-licensing revenue trackable.
Suggested collaborations: Creative ad agencies, VR experience studios, and luxury brands doing heritage campaigns.
Actionable step: Package modular stems for brands to re-edit — increases repeat sync revenue; consider how edge AI and new AV stacks open creative possibilities for interactive branded experiences.

Practical playbook: How these producers should use the Kobalt–Madverse pipeline

Being “signed” to a publishing admin partner is not passive. Here are practical steps every producer and songwriter on this list (and beyond) should take in 2026 to benefit immediately.

1. Clean your metadata and register everything

Accurate metadata is the difference between getting paid and getting lost in the streaming backlog. Ensure every release includes:

ISRCs and ISWCs for tracks and compositions
Complete split sheets (percentages, IPI/CAE where applicable)
Language and territory metadata for multilingual pieces

2. Standardize split agreements before releasing collaborations

Many disputes arise from informal agreements. Use simple, timestamped split sheets stored in cloud drives and shared with publishers. Ask Madverse/Kobalt to administer splits to ensure automated distributions.

3. Build short-form sync-ready bundles

Compose 30–60 second versions of key tracks (intros, instrumental versions, and stems). These are the formats music supervisors prefer for quick licensing — and they’re at the heart of the short-form sync monetization trend.

4. Register with local PROs and understand regional payouts

In addition to international PRO registration, make sure you’re affiliated with local societies (e.g., IPRS in India, PPL where relevant). The Kobalt–Madverse arrangement helps collect what local societies might miss — but proper registration accelerates payouts.

5. Pitch with context — not just links

When pitching to Kobalt/Madverse sync teams or directly to supervisors, include a concise one-sheet: mood, tempo, ideal use cases, and language notes. Supervisors in 2026 value cultural context and accurate lyric translations. Host your one-sheets on a lightweight public doc platform (compare Compose.page vs Notion Pages) so supervisors can preview without download friction.

Collaboration blueprints — who to pair with whom

Below are actionable collaboration blueprints that producers can use to make concrete outreach plans.

Blueprint A: The diaspora crossover

Producer type: Sample-driven beatmakers (Imran style)
Partner: British Asian rappers, diaspora pop vocalists
Goal: Viral single for U.K./Canadian streaming playlists + festival slots
How to pitch: Send a 90-second demo, stems, and demo video of live performance; propose a four-track EP for hybrid release (digital + limited cassette/vinyl).

Blueprint B: The screen-sync string

Producer type: Cinematic arrangers and TV composers (Noor, Bilal)
Partner: Indie filmmakers, OTT platform music supervisors
Goal: Recurring placements across seasons and trailers
How to pitch: Deliver 8–12 short cues with stems and explicit licensing options (single-use, series blanket). Consider equipping your rig with recommended portable options from recent compact streaming rigs and portable recorders when demoing live cues.

Blueprint C: Family & faith programming

Producer type: Devotional-pop songwriters (Aaliya)
Partner: Children’s streaming labels, Muslim family podcast networks
Goal: Theme songs and recurring show music; micro-synch revenue
How to pitch: Offer theme packages (0:30, 0:45, instrumental) and clear clean-lyrics assurances for family-friendly use.

Legal and cultural best practices for Muslim creators

For artists navigating faith considerations and copyright, these practical tips reduce friction and build trust with global partners.

Explicit content labeling: If a track is intended for family or devotional use, label it clearly in metadata and pitch decks.
Vocalist consent and depiction: Ensure featured vocalists approve of any music video or sync usage that may be culturally sensitive.
Sample provenance: Obtain written proof for folk or devotional samples; publishing partners will demand provenance during sync negotiations.

“Publishers are the engine for visibility — but the artist must provide the fuel: clean metadata, clear splits, and adaptable assets.”

What publishers can realistically offer in 2026

With the Kobalt–Madverse partnership, producers should expect:

Faster global collections and fewer unclaimed royalties
Support with sync licensing outreach to western supervisors
Education on catalog valuation and pitch strategy — publishers increasingly provide workshops and curated sync showcases

However, publishing admin is not A&R. Producers should still own their creative voice, build direct relationships with supervisors, and use publisher benefits to scale earnings and reach.

Trendwatch 2026: What’s shaping opportunities for South Asian Muslim producers

Three trends to watch and act on this year:

Demand for authentic regional content: Global streaming shows and ads increasingly seek authentic South Asian sonic palettes — not pastiche. Producers with genuine roots have a competitive edge.
Short-form sync monetization: Brands and social-video creators now license short loops and stems — producing 15–30 second assets can yield recurring micro-sync revenue. See creative approaches in short-form vertical formats.
Hybrid live-online revenue models: 2026 shows a rise in hybrid tours and exclusive streaming events. Music rights management for live streams is now integrated into many publishers’ services, and creators should plan metadata workflows accordingly.

Final checklist: Steps to take in the next 90 days

Audit your catalogue metadata and register ISRC/ISWC codes for all unreleased and released works.
Create at least three sync-ready assets per top track (instrumental, 30 sec edit, stems).
Standardize split sheets for current collaborators and upload to a shared publisher-accessible folder.
Pitch a curated one-sheet to Madverse with Kobalt in-mind, focusing on sync and cross-border opportunities. Host your one-sheet on an accessible public doc system (see Compose.page vs Notion comparisons).
Plan a bilingual single or EP aimed at diaspora playlists and submit to Spotify RADAR/Apple Music emerging programs.

Closing thoughts — a cultural invitation

The Kobalt–Madverse deal is not only a business milestone — it’s a cultural bridge. For Muslim creators balancing faith, family audiences, and mainstream aspirations, expanded publishing networks offer both protection and possibility. By pairing clean business practices with thoughtful collaborations, these rising South Asian producers can turn regional authenticity into global resonance.

If you’re a producer or songwriter featured above, or you run a community collective we should know about, we want to hear from you. Share stems, catalog summaries, and sync-ready clips with Mashallah Live — we’ll highlight promising submissions and connect them to publisher showcases across 2026. For festival-scale planning and the economics of live bookings, check regional studies like bringing festival economics to Dhaka.

Call to action

Ready to amplify your catalogue and reach new sync opportunities? Submit your demo to Mashallah Live’s Spotlight Queue, download our 90‑day publishing checklist, and join our next publisher Q&A with Madverse and Kobalt reps in spring 2026. Let’s make South Asian Muslim soundscapes a global staple — with fairness, clarity, and creativity.

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