Toronto’s Aashika Reddy Redefines R&B/Pop With Bold and Culturally Rich Debut EP LOOK AT ME

At just 17, Toronto-based artist Aashika Reddy is proving she is far more than a rising star. She is a cultural force in the making. With her debut EP LOOK AT ME, Reddy delivers a powerful introduction that blends R&B, pop, and global influences with South Asian identity, filling a gap in mainstream music where representation has too often been absent.

The six-track project is both a coming-of-age soundtrack and a bold statement of intent. Across its songs, Reddy explores the chaos of teenage life: messy crushes, fleeting heartbreaks, delusional daydreams, rekindled friendships, and moments of joy that feel larger than life. It is music that speaks directly to the reality of being young, vulnerable, and ambitious, without sanding down the rough edges.

What sets LOOK AT ME apart is its unapologetic cultural fusion. Reddy weaves Carnatic-inspired vocal runs, thabla percussion, and South Indian melodic phrasing into a foundation of R&B grooves, Afrobeat rhythms, and pop textures. The result is a sound that is simultaneously experimental and commercial, a sonic landscape that challenges the status quo while remaining irresistibly accessible.

Reddy describes the EP as “bigger than music,” and it is hard to disagree. Tracks that explore playful but raw expressions of love sit alongside vulnerable ballads that act as mirrors for listeners who rarely see themselves represented in pop spaces. Her ability to pair universal teenage emotions with a distinctly South Asian lens makes LOOK AT ME a landmark project.

Beyond the studio, Reddy’s DIY ethos defines her artistry. She writes, directs, edits, and creative directs her work, embodying the self-sufficient energy of Gen Z artists determined to carve their own space. Her performances at TD Music Hall, Nathan Phillips Square, and collaborations with Grammy-winning producer Yonatan Watts only add weight to her fast-growing resume.

LOOK AT ME is more than a debut. It is a declaration. For South Asian girls seeking visibility, for teenagers navigating identity, and for anyone longing for authenticity in pop, Aashika Reddy is a voice to watch.

You have said you want to be the “brown girl pop star” you never had growing up. How does LOOK AT ME NOW fulfill that vision?

LOOK AT ME is the first step toward fulfilling that dream. It is my first major project, curated as an introduction to me and my artistic world. The EP takes listeners through a journey of emotions that every teenage girl (or boy) might experience, and it tells a story that invites people into my world.

The EP blends R&B and pop with Carnatic and South Indian influences. How do you balance cultural authenticity with global appeal?

I love including my culture whenever it naturally fits. In songs like Time Machine and 3 Steps, you can hear tablas, which are traditional South Indian instruments. Some of my melodies and toplines are also inspired by Carnatic runs and the vocal inflections I grew up with.

Blending my culture with global sounds has never felt forced. It comes naturally because I was raised with South Indian music and also grew up listening to pop stars like Selena Gomez and Sabrina Carpenter. Both worlds shaped me equally. I never add South Asian elements just for the sake of it. They appear where they belong, and that is what makes it authentic!

What was it like working with Grammy-winning producer Yonatan Watts so early in your career?

It was incredible. We made the whole song over FaceTime. I shared some ideas about the sound I wanted, and he immediately started building the track. Then I began riffing on melodies, and we just bounced ideas back and forth. Watching his creative process live and seeing a song come together from scratch was such a surreal and inspiring experience!

You handle much of your creative direction yourself. Why is it important for you to keep that control over your artistry?

I have a very specific vision for how I want to present myself as an artist. Even though I am still learning along the way, I want everything I create to feel authentic and true to me. Staying involved in the creative direction allows me to make sure my artistry reflects exactly who I am.

What do you hope young South Asian listeners and your global audience take away from this project?

I hope they feel seen, inspired, and safe in my music. Most of all, I want people to find at least one song that they connect with, because that is the most important part of music. If someone listens to LOOK AT ME and feels understood or simply has fun with it, then I have done what I set out to do.