Conversations with Chai

In this special ADDA edition of Conversations with Chai, I sit with the homie Wolf Taylor from the Half Way Up Podcast. We get real about some of the latest headlines. First, we reflect on Liam Payne’s tragic death and call out TMZ for their inconsiderate reporting—yet again (4:00). Then, it’s all about J. Cole as we break down his new track, “Port Antonio,” and debate his place in hip-hop’s Big 3...

In Episode 55 of Conversations with Chai, host Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Farooq Got Audio, a London-based music producer and composer known for his remixes of classic Bollywood hits and his influence in the South Asian music scene. Together, they explore the regionalization of music, Farooq's journey, and the future of making money in the industry. Episode Highlights: 5:50 - Regional Hits: Fa...

In Episode 54 of Conversations with Chai, host Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Yung Sammy, a Nigerian-origin, Delhi-based rapper signed to Desi Trill, the genre-bending label co-founded by Shabz Naqvi and Ty-Ty Smith. Yung Sammy shares his journey through the highs and lows of the music industry, his recent performance for On the Radar, and meeting with Hot 97 in New York City. This conversation di...

In Episode 53 of Conversations with Chai, Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Jashima, founder and CEO of Ode, a talent and creative agency representing numerous South Asian musicians. Together, they explore the evolving South Asian creative community and the music industry's direction in 2024. Episode Highlights: 1:33 - Is Hanumankind’s "Big Dawgs" a Hit?: The duo debates whether Hanuman...

Welcome to Episode 51 of Conversations with Chai. In this episode, Ihram Chowdhury brings together an ensemble of podcasting powerhouses: John Scafiddi Jr., Creative Director of AtWarWorldwide and host of The Journey Podcast; Wolf Taylor, host of the Half Way Up Podcast; and TheRealWhyEli, host of the DailyRapUpCrew. Together, they dive deep into the heart of the podcasting world, discussing some...

Welcome to Episode 50 of Conversations with Chai. In this landmark episode, host Ihram Chowdhury sits down with his father, Ibrahim Chowdhury, a renowned Bengali author, journalist, and editor for Prothom Alo. They explore pivotal moments in Bangladesh's recent history, including the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and the appointment of Dr. Muhammad Yunus as the head of the interim government, m...

Welcome to Episode 49 of Conversations with Chai. This episode features a dynamic discussion with Vy and YDV, rising stars in the music industry, who share their insights on effective artist strategies in today's fast-evolving musical landscape. Join us as we delve into whether artists should release singles or albums in 2024, analyze strategies of well-known artists like The Weeknd and Tommy...

Welcome to Episode 48 of Conversations with Chai! In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with NYC dancers Ojee, Anu, and Aseer to discuss a hot topic in the dance community—the controversy surrounding Diljit Dosanjh not paying dancers on his tour and Manpreet Toor's significant impact on the situation. Episode Highlights: 15:55 - The Cost of Saying Yes: We dive deep into what happens wh...

Welcome to Episode 47 of Conversations with Chai , where we sit down with Khushi Jain, a distinguished content creator, marketing expert at Tru, and a voice that has graced platforms like TEDx and BBC. With a rich background in crafting narratives that resonate across borders, Khushi brings her unique insights into the world of marketing and brand partnerships. In this episode, we dive deep into:...

In Episode 46 of Conversations with Chai , I sit down with the incredibly talented Payal Jay, a songstress and artist signed to Indo Warehouse, a label known for fusing South Asian cultural elements with house and techno music. Payal opens up about her journey in the music industry and how creativity has been a powerful form of therapy for her. We dive deep into what it means to honor your emotion...

In Episode 45 of Conversations with Chai, we have the privilege of hosting Shahana Hanif, a groundbreaking New York City Council member representing Brooklyn’s 39th District. As the first Muslim woman elected to the New York City Council and the first woman of color to represent her district, Shahana brings an unparalleled perspective to the table. This conversation is a compelling dive into the h...

In Episode 44 of Conversations with Chai, I’m diving deep into a personal and life-changing experience—getting let go from my corporate job. This episode is raw, real, and packed with the kind of conversation you don’t want to miss. If you’re going to listen to one podcast of mine, let it be this one. Joining me are my incredible roommates, Sai and Sam, who share their support and perspectives as...

🎧 Welcome to Episode 43 of "Conversations with Chai"! 🌟 In this groundbreaking episode, Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Shabz Naqvi, co-founder of Desi Trill, a revolutionary music label that's reshaping the South Asian music scene. From its collaboration with Universal Music Group to its visionary approach to music and culture, Desi Trill is creating waves and redefining genres. 🔊...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 42 of "Conversations with Chai"! 🎧 In this episode, Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Munzzy & Harvey, the dynamic founders and restaurateurs behind The Monkey King, a beloved Brooklyn, NYC eatery. They share their inspiring journey of balancing a personal relationship while building a successful business, and how their cultural ethos is interwoven into every aspe...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 41 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 In this episode, Ihram Chowdhury sits down with Shubh Nanda, filmmaker and editor of the Flagrant podcast with Andrew Shultz and Akaash Singh, and Zaib Pirani, a comedian in NYC. Together, they delve into the nuances of the creative industry, sharing their experiences and insights. 🔊 Episode Highlights: 7:00 - Integrity in the Cre...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 40 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 In this exciting episode, we sit down with Shompa Kabir, also known as Shompsz, a Bangladeshi-American foodie, vlogger, and the host of the CoffeevsChai podcast. Shompa shares her journey as a creator, the challenges she's faced, and her insights into the creative space for Bengalis. 🔊 Episode Highlights: 4:13 - Not Having Eno...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 39 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 In this episode, we're joined by Chhavi Verg, former Miss New Jersey and Miss USA runner-up, who shares her incredible journey through the world of pageantry and beyond. Chhavi opens up about the valuable lessons she learned, the mindset required to be a winner, and her insights into health among South Asians. 🔊 Episode Highli...

Link to the Fundraiser for Win Rosario's family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-family-of-win-rozario 🌟 In honor of Mother's Day, join us for a special episode of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 Today, we sit down with Zareefa, the founder and formulator of Ammu Beauty Brand, to celebrate the profound impact of mothers. Zareefa shares her journey, including the establis...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 37 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 Join us for a captivating discussion with Raxstar, the acclaimed UK-based musical artist, as he shares insights from his 20-year journey in the music industry. Collaborating with artists like Mickey Singh, The PropheC, and Mumzy Stranger, Raxstar has carved a unique path in British Asian music. 🔊 Episode Highlights: 7:34 - History...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 36 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 In this insightful episode, we are joined by Dr. Varuna Srinivasan, a noted sexual health expert, writer, and columnist for Allure magazine. Dr. Srinivasan shares her expert insights on a range of topics related to sexual health, debunking common myths and discussing how societal perceptions shape our understanding of sexuality. 🔊...

🌟 Welcome to a special edition of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 In this episode, we sit down with Priya and Jeb, two dynamic Bengali creators, to discuss the nuances of Bengali culture and its impact on their personal and professional lives. Dive into their stories and explore the vibrant Bengali community through their eyes. 🔊 Episode Highlights: 1:35 - Introduction: Meet Priya and Jeb...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 34 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 Join us for a compelling episode with Shaavir Noorani, a seasoned content creator known for his innovative collaborations with major brands like Walmart. In this discussion, Shaavir opens up about the power of narratives on social media, personal identity, and coping mechanisms for social anxiety. 🔊 Episode Highlights: 1:05 - Narr...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 33 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 Join us for a riveting session with DJ Sharad, a celebrated DJ and music industry influencer with ties to Heavy Hitters and Hot 97. DJ Sharad opens up about his journey, sharing pearls of wisdom on professionalism, embracing the rich tapestry of culture, and the transformative power of hip hop. 🔊 Episode Highlights: 2:42 Introduct...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 31 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 Dive into the flavorful world of culinary arts with our esteemed guests - Chef Abishek, owner of the renowned Raang and Madamji, and Chefs Akhil and Aditya, the visionary founders behind Sewing Tin. Together, they've crafted a niche in the food industry by blending traditional Indian flavors with modern twists, captivating food...

🌟 Welcome to Episode 30 of "Conversations with Chai" 🎧 This episode features a groundbreaking conversation with Trisha Sakhuja-Walia, the visionary CEO behind Brown Girl Magazine. Join us as we delve into the heart of empowerment, culture, and the powerful impact of media representation. 📚 Under Trisha's leadership, Brown Girl Magazine has become a pivotal platform for South Asian...