The era of digital, streaming impressions, makes it hard for singers to focus on their craft: Shreya Ghoshal

Five-time National Award-winning singer Shreya Ghoshal has shared her thoughts on the changing music industry, highlighting how streaming culture, social media pressure, and digital algorithms have transformed the way artistes create and connect with audiences today. During a recent interaction while travelling internationally for her live shows, the celebrated playback singer reflected on the challenges faced by modern musicians in balancing creativity with the demands of numbers-driven platforms.

Speaking about the current digital landscape, Shreya admitted that constant focus on followers, streaming counts, impressions, and algorithms can become distracting for artistes trying to stay connected to the essence of music. She said she feels fortunate to have entered the industry during a period when social media metrics and streaming pressures were not dominant factors in determining success. According to her, music during that time was driven largely by genuine appreciation and emotional connection from listeners.

At the same time, the singer acknowledged that modern digital platforms have also opened up opportunities for emerging artistes to directly reach audiences across the world. She praised the younger generation of singers, composers, and independent musicians for constantly innovating and adapting to changing trends while continuing to work on their craft. Shreya noted that surviving in today’s competitive music industry requires both talent and the ability to remain visible in a fast-moving digital environment.

The acclaimed singer also spoke about the importance of continuous learning in an artiste’s life. She shared that creativity and passion are not exclusive to a few individuals and expressed admiration for young musicians who are bringing fresh perspectives into the industry instead of blindly following established trends. According to her, inspiration comes from teachers, surroundings, life experiences, and the music one grows up listening to.

Shreya further revealed that she continues to learn from people around her, including seniors, contemporaries, and even younger artistes. Emphasising the emotional core of art, she said music, dance, or painting loses value without genuine emotion and soul. She also stressed that hard work alone is not enough, adding that every successful artiste must possess a unique “X factor” that emotionally connects with audiences beyond just technical perfection.