- Written by Harpal Bobby
- BBC Asia Network
image source, sony music india
Group from left to right: Ri (Riya Duggal), Sim (Simran Duggal), Zoe (Zoe Siddharth), Suchi (Suchita Shirke)
The world is seeing the rise of J-POP and K-POP, but could I-POP be the next to dominate the global charts?
That is the aspiration of Indian girl group WiSH. This is an acronym for World inka Stage Hai, or “The World is Their Stage.”
The quartet of Ri, Zo, Sim, and Suchi is said to be India’s first mainstream girl group in over 20 years.
India has a strong history of female singers, with soloists such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Shreya Ghoshal.
While there is a successful duo, the Nolan Sisters, girl bands haven’t had the same breakthrough.
Zaw told BBC Asia network WiSH that she wants to make a difference and rise to the top by spreading a positive message of sisterhood and women’s empowerment.
She describes her debut single “Lazeez” (meaning “delicious” or “delicious” in Urdu) as a song that “celebrates modern women and encourages self-love.”
“It’s actually very special to me and to all of us,” she says.
“We want to lift each other up, not just as artists, but as people. We are on this journey together, and I’m so grateful for that.”
image source, sony music india
Zaw feels WiSH has the potential to be a catalyst for Indian groups to impact the world
Diljit Dosanjh is the latest example of an Indian star who gained global attention for his performance at Coachella and collaborations with the likes of Sia and Ed Sheeran.
And Zo believes WiSH will help bring I-POP to a global audience.
“We’re ready to travel the world and play our songs everywhere.”
WiSH was founded by music producer Mikey McCleary under Sony Music Entertainment, and Ri, who is the first cast member, has been overwhelmed by the positive feedback from fans.
“It wasn’t even a day after our song was released, but we already had a lot of fan pages. And that’s when we realized how much India really wanted and was waiting for this song. I knew.
“If young girls look at us and decide to become pop stars, that’s great. You can do whatever you want. The world is your stage and your oyster,” Lee says.
“You just have to believe in yourself.”
image source, sony music india
“India has so much talent and culture and is so rich in so many ways,” Lee says.
Although they are excited about becoming India’s first all-girl band in over 20 years, Zo admits that she still feels pressure.
“There are a lot of expectations placed on us as we now have to set new standards.
“But at the same time, it’s exciting because we can be trendsetters,” she says.
But WiSH also studies famous Western girl groups like the Spice Girls and Little Mix, and hopes to follow in their footsteps by embracing each member’s individuality.
“Zo is really calm and kind. I’m cheeky and Suchi is mischievous and fierce. Lee is the boss, the leader and the mama bear,” says Sim.
And the sisterhood is very important to them too – especially Sim and Suci, who are brothers.
“I’m so glad that my sister and I were able to experience this together,” Suchi says.
Aiming high, the group is already thinking about who they would like to collaborate with.
“We love BTS. We’re four girls and they’re four guys. We think we’ll make a great track,” says Sim.
Suchi says that even at this very moment, WiSH is dreaming.
“We’ve been working towards WiSH for two years, so we’re enjoying every bit of life right now. So it’s an exciting time for all of us.
“Now it’s our turn,” she says.
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