Lucky Ali on 'Tu Jaane Hai Kahaan' and Not Creating Songs For Trends: 'I Don't Like to be Forced to Make Music'

In an industry increasingly driven by algorithms, virality, and speed, Lucky Ali’s return is a relief; a reminder of simpler times. His latest release, Tu Jaane Hai Kahaan, in collaboration with Tips Originals and producer Kumar Taurani, marks his first significant collaboration outside the independent space in years.

Despite this, the track, a quiet, aching expression of love and longing, is unmistakably Lucky Ali. Its beauty lies in its simplicity, its understated production, and timeless composition, allowing the artist’s distinct vocals and lyrics to shine through.

Sitting down with The Hollywood Reporter, India, Ali shares how this track came about, how he approaches his craft, and whether there’s more to come.

“The brief [from Kumar Taurani] was, ‘I want another 'O Sanam,’ and I said, it is impossible that I’ll do another O Sanam,” he laughs.

Released in 1996 as part of his debut album Sunoh, 'O Sanam' would go on to become a defining moment not just in Ali’s career, but in the landscape of Indian pop music. At a time when the industry was dominated by film soundtracks, the song, with its stripped-down arrangement, unpolished vocals, and graceful lyricism, cut through the noise. The album’s success established Ali as a singular voice, one that didn’t quite fit into existing templates, and never tried to.

Since then, the artist has continued to resist expectation, staying away from commercial cycles over the course of a 30-year career. Ali has moved in and out of the spotlight on his own terms, taking long breaks, returning only when inspiration struck. For him, there was never a timeline to adhere to—only the instinct to remain true to his voice.

His creative process, he explains, begins with observation—both outward and inward. “I have to keep my ears and my heart open to be true to the music that I’m hearing,” he says. “When we are writing the lyrics, I want them to touch my heart. It has to feel right before it becomes anything.”

Ali has never bowed to trends, and while his output may be inconsistent, his voice has remained remarkably intact—gentle, introspective, and intimate. Perhaps this is why, even today, his music is loved across generations. 

Choosing to go independent for the larger part of his career, he says, has allowed him to maintain his authenticity. “I think all musicians, at some point in their lives, when they find everything overbearing, want to go out and just be alone, and find themselves,” he says. “[They] want to do their music and feel good about it themselves before bringing it back to the mainstream.”

Ali believes that music can’t be reverse-engineered or replicated on demand. It takes its time and demands care, intention, and feeling. Working under his family-led banner, Farmhouse Music, has allowed him to create on his own terms. “It's taken the pressure off me to actually keep on producing music, because I don't like to be forced to make music,” he shares.

As for what lies ahead, the artist remains characteristically elusive. Asked about upcoming releases, he smiles and offers just two words: “Very soon.”

One upcoming track, he reveals, involves an interesting visual experiment by his brother-in-law, Mikey McCleary, featuring AI-generated visuals. Ali is careful to draw a line, however—while he’s open to visual experimentation, his music remains firmly human-led.

“[One can tell] immediately when AI has been used in your track,” he says. “I don’t like to do that,” he adds, candidly. The artist doesn’t enjoy using AI in the construction of his songs, choosing instead to continue working with live instruments and musicians.