My Pod with J Royale

MULTI-GENRE DJ J Royale regularly mixes up commercial beats and has spun the hottest hits at big clubs globally, including festivals in front of thousands. The British DJ went through his massive music collection and selected 10 songs he loves...

O Re Piya from Aaja Nachle : A soothing song that brings back good memories when growing up! (Laughs) People that know me will know why I like this song.

Mumbai Dance by Nucleya: This guy is pure genius! The way he infuses true Indian street music into mainstream electronic beats is crazy. Drop one of his tracks in a club anywhere in Asia and the crowds go wild.

Let Me Love You by DJ Snake & Justin Bieber (R3hab Remix): There is a big EDM influence in my music. When this track came out I began hitting clubs in India and it would go off every time. I played this at a festival to over 10,000 people and the whole crowd sang the verse ‘let me love you’ with their phone flashlights out. It gave me chills.

Lag Ja Gale from Woh Kaun Thi: Total relaxation! On the road it can be a hectic lifestyle. This is one song which is calm, soothing and just brings back good memories of family and loved ones. I can always count on this tune.

What We Do by Kray Twinz: When this track dropped, I remember my friends and I at school hearing it and thinking: ‘Oh my god, what is this?’ This track first got me thinking about bringing a desi influence into music.

Mandala by KSHMR & Marnik: Being a big EDM fan this track reminds me of Sunburn, India’s biggest music festival. Obviously this being the Sunburn anthem means it always brings back good memories of partying with friends and people that I met during my musical journey in India.

Let’s Nacho from Kapoor & Sons: I love the diversity of influences in this song, whether its Benny Dayal’s South Indian hooks, the electronic beats of Nucelya or the verses by Baadshah. It’s a clear hit and gets people up on the dancefloor every time.

Take Me There by Nucleya: This song is a ritual, before any festival or club, to get me in the mood. The energy this track has is insane and gets me pumped up for an event every time. One of the only independent artists to max out a stadium in India. An enormous achievement! I definitely look up to him.

Arijit Singh Unplugged Set (Coke Studio 3): I can repeatedly listen to this set. This guy is pure talent. The set has some of my favourite songs, and listening to it takes me back to when I was in India. I would go on long journeys admiring the scenery of India while having this playing loud.

Gulaabi Aanken by Atif Aslam (Unplugged): I remember clearly how one artist pulled out of a concert he was headlining and thinking: ‘How will it be?’ As soon as Atif came up on stage, just hearing the crowd roar and him singing this unplugged got everyone going. From there, he rocked the event and gave me one of the best nights that I have witnessed!