7 Times UK & Indian Artists Teamed Up to Create Iconic Tracks

Collaborations between UK and Indian artists continue to forge bold paths in the global music landscape, blending distinct cultural sounds into a vibrant and resonant harmony.

It is a dynamic movement, creating a new soundscape that captivates a worldwide audience.

These partnerships represent intricate conversations between two unique musical heritages, combining everything from UK chart-pop to the soulful melodies of the subcontinent.

The result is a wave of tracks that are as innovative as they are infectious, signalling a deeper, more meaningful integration of sounds and artists.

This cultural melting pot is actively redefining popular music, proving that when British and Indian talents converge, the creative possibilities are limitless.

Here are seven times UK and Indian artists came together to create impactful tracks.

Ed Sheeran & Arijit Singh – Sapphire

When Ed Sheeran announced a collaboration with Arijit Singh, expectations were understandably immense.

The initial release of ‘Sapphire’ from Sheeran’s 2025 album Play was a masterclass in subtle fusion.

The track skillfully integrated traditional Indian instruments into Sheeran’s signature acoustic pop framework, with Singh’s vocals providing a soulful, melodic counterpoint in Punjabi.

However, it was the subsequent remix that truly allowed the collaboration to reach its full potential. This version gave Arijit Singh a more prominent role, allowing his emotive and powerful vocals to soar.

The remix felt more like a true duet, with extended verses from Singh and a more pronounced interplay between the English and Punjabi lyrics.

This reimagined track resonated powerfully with audiences, particularly in India, who celebrated the elevated presence of their biggest star.

The success of both versions demonstrated a clever understanding of different markets, with the remix solidifying the track as a landmark cross-cultural anthem.

Dua Lipa, Prakriti Kakar & Sukriti Kakar – Levitating (Remix)

Dua Lipa’s ‘Levitating’ was already a worldwide funk-pop sensation before it was given an inspired Indian makeover in 2021.

In a move to connect more deeply with her Indian fanbase, a remix was commissioned from the acclaimed producer Amaal Mallik.

He enlisted the vocal talents of twin sisters Prakriti and Sukriti Kakar to add a fresh, Desi dimension to the track.

The remix masterfully reimagines the song’s disco-pop groove by infusing it with traditional Indian elements, most notably the distinct twang of the tumbi.

The Kakar sisters deliver vibrant Hindi lyrics that don’t just translate the original’s sentiment but add a new layer of lyrical and melodic texture, complementing Dua Lipa’s established English verses.

The collaboration was a strategic and creative success, bridging the gap between mainstream Western pop and the vibrant sounds of the Indian music scene, and creating an energetic version that felt both familiar and excitingly new.

Calum Scott & Armaan Malik – Always

The 2024 release of ‘Always‘ offered a beautiful showcase of vocal harmony, bringing together British singer-songwriter Calum Scott and Indian pop icon Armaan Malik.

This enchanting love ballad is a masterclass in emotional delivery, built around a tender piano arrangement and swelling orchestral elements that heighten the song’s heartfelt message.

The collaboration was born from a moment of pure creative chemistry during Malik’s first writing session in the UK, where the two artists immediately connected.

‘Always’ seamlessly merges their distinct vocal styles – Scott’s raw, powerful tone and Malik’s smooth, polished delivery – to create a unified and moving duet.

The track transcends geographical and linguistic barriers, focusing on the universal theme of enduring love.

For Scott, who found fame on Britain’s Got Talent, and Malik, an artist with billions of streams to his name, ‘Always’ stands as a testament to their shared ability to craft music that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.

The Vamps & Vishal-Shekhar – Beliya

In 2016, British pop-rock band The Vamps joined forces with the legendary Indian music duo Vishal-Shekhar to create the song ‘Beliya’.

The track is an exuberant fusion of pop and Bollywood sounds, which is a celebration of the two cultures coming together.

‘Beliya’ cleverly incorporates traditional Indian instruments like the dholak and flute, weaving them into the fabric of The Vamps’ signature guitar-driven pop-rock style.

English and Hindi lyrics are interwoven throughout, creating a cohesive and incredibly catchy anthem.

For a UK band like The Vamps, this collaboration was a significant moment, demonstrating how they could successfully and authentically integrate their sound with the dynamic and colourful world of Bollywood music.

Fuse ODG feat. Zack Knight & Badshah – Bombae

‘Bombae’ is a testament to how global modern collaborations have become, bringing together Afrobeats, British R&B, and Indian rap in one explosive track.

Released in 2016, the song features Ghanaian-British star Fuse ODG, British-Pakistani singer Zack Knight, and Indian rap superstar Badshah.

Marketed as the first-ever fusion of Afrobeats and Bollywood, the track lives up to the hype.

Produced by legendary African producer Killbeatz, the song is a high-energy anthem built for the dance floor.

It’s a prime example of how musical collaboration is no longer a simple two-way street between East and West, but a complex intersection of multiple global cultures creating a truly international sound.

Apache Indian & Asha Bhosle – Yeh Ladka (Remix)

Apache Indian stands as a titan of the British Asian music scene, celebrated for his pioneering fusion of reggae and bhangra, a style he famously dubbed ‘bhangramuffin’.

One of his biggest collaborations was with the iconic Asha Bhosle.

Apache Indian revealed that Bhosle invited him to work on the remix for an album which paid tribute to her late husband, RD Burman.

He added: “Growing up listening to her from when I was a child and my parents listened to her, Lata Mangeshkar and now I’m working with her in the same studio as her.”

It was a full-circle moment for the Birmingham-based artist and a symbol of creative admiration between a UK innovator and Indian musical royalty.

Jaz Dhami feat. Yo Yo Honey Singh – High Heels

A landmark track that defined the global Punjabi music scene for a generation, ‘High Heels’ was the explosive 2012 collaboration between Birmingham’s Jaz Dhami and Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh.

The song was a masterclass in fusion, setting Dhami’s smooth, melodic Punjabi vocals against a high-energy, electronic beat crafted by Honey Singh.

Topped off with an irresistibly catchy rap verse, the track was an instant anthem.

The slick, high-budget music video showcased both artists and perfectly captured the song’s modern, confident swagger.

It became a staple in clubs and at weddings from London to Delhi, showcasing the huge crossover appeal of a well-executed collaboration.

Its immense and lasting popularity is highlighted by the fact that it was later officially remade for the Bollywood film Ki & Ka, proving the original had set an undeniable benchmark.

The ever-growing list of collaborations between British and Indian musicians marks a significant and evolving chapter in the story of global music.

From chart-topping hits to genre-defying experiments, these partnerships consistently push creative boundaries and captivate audiences across continents.

As these creative connections deepen and technology makes cross-continental collaboration even easier, the future of popular music looks set to become even more diverse and exciting.