Music composer Anirudh Ravichander has taken a significant step beyond film music by partnering his newly launched label, Albuquerque Records, with Universal Music India for non-film releases.
The collaboration will focus on producing and promoting pop and hip-hop music, featuring both Anirudh and emerging independent artistes signed under his label. The first release under this partnership is scheduled for early April and will feature Anirudh himself, marking the beginning of a new phase in his musical journey.
Speaking about the initiative, Anirudh said Albuquerque Records was envisioned as an artiste-driven, homegrown platform aimed at nurturing independent talent and taking Indian music to a global audience. He noted that Universal Music India’s strong presence in pop and hip-hop made it an ideal partner to help amplify this vision.
Devraj Sanyal, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music India, praised Anirudh as a forward-looking artist with immense creative potential. He stated that the partnership aligns with the company’s commitment to identifying and supporting transformative talent while expanding the global reach of Indian music.
With over 13 billion audio streams across more than 770 tracks, Anirudh has established himself as one of the most sought-after composers in the Tamil music industry. His chart-topping hits such as “Hukum,” “Vaathi Coming,” “Arabic Kuthu,” and “Aaja Raja” have garnered international recognition, reinforcing his growing global appeal.
The partnership is expected to further strengthen India’s independent music scene, offering a platform for fresh voices while taking contemporary Indian sounds to audiences worldwide.