Did you watch the clip of a rapper in a black Manish Malhotra chikankari suit, lighting up the stage at Kiara Advani and Siddharth Malhotra’s sangeet ceremony last year? That was Mishaal Advani, Kiara’s younger brother, stepping into the Indian rap scene with a self-composed track.

A year on, Mishaal’s recently released song Royal Oak, has quickly gained popularity on social media. Brimming with infectious energy, it has solidified his rise as a musician and helped him prove that there is much more to him than being the Kabir Singh actress’s little brother.

Here’s a low-down on all you need to know about the new kid on the block.

Who is Mishaal Advani?

Born in Mumbai on September 19, 1995, Mishaal is the youngest in the Advani household, after Kiara. The US-based singer, composer and music director composed his first song at the age of 13. His father, Jagdeep Advani, is a businessman and his mother, Genevieve Jaffrey, a British Muslim, is a school teacher. The young rapper is from a family of notable names—his step-great-grandfather was actor Ashok Kumar and his maternal grandfather, Hameed Jaffrey, was brother of actor Saeed Jaffrey.

A graduate from Brown University in New York, with degrees in Music and Computer Science, Mishaal used to perform his composed creatives around NYC. After college, he initially worked as a computer engineer, only to quit his corporate life to pursue music full-time.

Mishaal’s musical debut

The 29-year-old singer officially stepped into the limelight with the single Know My Name, released in November 2022. The track marked the beginning of his rising career, establishing him as a fresh and promising voice in the music industry.

Breakthrough on social media

The young musician gained attention on social media after his special performance of his single Muse at Kiara Advani and Sidharth Malhotra’s sangeet in Jaisalmer last year. In a post tagging the couple, Mishaal had captioned it with the line, “Teri Aankhon Se Yaad Aya Meri Baaton Mein Pyaar,” to which Kiara had responded with emojis. Shortly after the wedding, Mishaal released the official music video for the track, which he’d directed himself.

Royal Oak: A Success Story

Royal Oak marked a significant milestone in Mishaal Advani's professional journey. Released on September 13 and directed by Cian Dias, the track delves into themes of identity, ambition, societal critique, and personal evolution. Advani raps, “This Indian boy became America’s child/But nothing over the Bom that’s where my parents reside/My sister’s taking care of ’em whenever I fly.”

The music video, set against the backdrop of church architecture, enhances the song's exploration of personal growth and the pursuit of aspirations, inviting listeners to contemplate their own paths and dreams. Royal Oak also serves as Advani's tribute to hip-hop, through references to American rapper Capital Steez, and other musical influences such as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, and Tupac Shakur. The groovy, infectious song was well-received by the audience and upped his popularity.

Other tracks by the talented rapper

Released last year, Advani's track, Move, is another piece that highlights his distinctive style. Also a song that he performed at Kiara and Sidharth’s sangeet, Move provides an interesting interpretation of romance, which seamlessly integrates elements of Hip-hop and R&B. Advani’s experiments with not his vocal techniques and the video’s aesthetics, made it a unique addition to his body of work.

Following the reveal of his recent, more-rugged appearance, Mishaal unveiled his latest single, God Bless, on September 30. The track showcases his polished rapping abilities and innovative delivery. With its lyricism and flow, Mishaal’s music engages listeners with versatility.