E190 - Spotify Chief EXPOSES the Future of Indian Music - Amarjit Singh Batra (Spotify India MD)

Indian Silicon Valley with Jivraj Singh Sachar

In this episode, we sit down with Amarjit Singh Batra, Managing Director of Spotify India (and General Manager of 59 Countries), a visionary leader shaping the future of music streaming in one of the world’s largest music markets. Amarjit shares his fascinating journey, from being at the forefront of the Indian internet economy to leading Spotify's expansion across India, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. We explore the key shifts in music consumption in India, Spotify’s unique “last-mover advantage,” and how Amarjit and his team have built a thriving business by leveraging personalized experiences and supporting local artists through initiatives like playlist curation and artist masterclasses. Amarjit also reflects on his role as a corporate leader with a founder’s mindset, the evolution of the Indian internet economy over the past two decades, and his thoughts on why it's crucial to adopt a long-term approach in a dynamic market like India. He candidly shares his thoughts on retaining customers in a competitive space, the booming independent music scene in India, and how Spotify is empowering creators to build global audiences. This episode offers a deep dive into the business strategies, leadership insights, and the future of India’s music industry, making it a must-watch for entrepreneurs, music lovers, and anyone navigating the fast-changing consumer landscape. 0:00 - Introduction 1:26 - Amarjit's thoughts on changes in the Indian economy 6:31 - Amarjit's view on his roles in companies 11:01 - Differences when Amarjit joined Spotify 22:41 - How Amarjit found the Spotify opportunity 31:11 - How India consumes music 46:21 - Split for a company to focus on music in India 52:20 - How an artist can become successful 1:00:00 - Establishing yourself meaningfully 1:09:23 - How Amarjit learns from international markets 1:16:20 - Amarjit's learning from Danial 1:19:05 - What Amarjit's friends would say about him 1:21:45 - Amarjit's strengths and fears 1:23:57 - How Amarjit has stayed at the top for decades 1:34:40 - What Amarjit would say to his younger self 01:39:48 - Outro Instagram of Jivraj: instagram.com/jivrajsinghsachar #indiansiliconvalley​ #isv​ #indiansiliconvalleypodcast​ #isvpodcast​ #jivrajsinghsachar​ #entrepreneurship​ #startups​ #finance​ #leadership