iWorld
NEXA Music Season 3: Celebrating the power of Indie music in India
Mumbai: Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) announced the launch of NEXA Music Season 3, a transformative platform celebrating the vibrant and diverse indie (independent) music landscape in India.
Music is a cornerstone of the NEXA philosophy, embodying the brand’s belief in creating experiences that inspire. NEXA Music stands on the ‘Create. Inspire’ brand philosophy, caters to the connected, demanding, and evolved urban consumer.
This season, NEXA Music forays into regional music in addition to English music, offering participating artists a unique opportunity to showcase their talent to a global audience alongside superstars such as King, Raja Kumari and Arjun Kanungo under the guidance of A.R. Rahman.
Announcing the launch of NEXA Music Season 3, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd senior executive officer, marketing & sales Partho Banerjee said, “NEXA Music is about breaking boundaries and creating extraordinary experiences. With Season 3, we are embracing India’s rich and diverse musical landscape. With NEXA Music, our goal is to discover and nurture artists from every corner of the country, bringing their unique voices to the forefront. Under the spotlight of globally renowned musicians like Mr. A.R. Rahman, these artists will create original compositions that resonate globally. We anticipate an overwhelming response to NEXA Music Season 3 as we continue to offer the NEXA global experience.”
Expressing his enthusiasm, A.R. Rahman commented, “India is a treasure trove of diverse musical talent. NEXA Music Season 3, in partnership with Qyuki, is an extraordinary initiative to unearth and celebrate both English and regional music from across the country. The last two seasons have given several artists access to global platforms for displaying their talent. I am delighted to be part of this journey and look forward to discovering exceptional talent that will bring the richness of Indian English and regional music to the world stage.”
NEXA Music was created to promote and cultivate original indie music talent in India. Seasons 1 and 2 each saw the emergence of 24 standout musicians mentored by global music icon A.R. Rahman supported by Clinton Cerejo. The winners of each season saw their efforts culminating in the release of original tracks and music videos, amassing millions of views on YouTube and establishing a strong digital presence on leading audio streaming platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.
Building on the robust foundation of the last two seasons, NEXA Music Season 3 will embrace the rich tapestry of India’s diverse musical landscape. Besides English music, it will also spotlight artists who sing in regional languages, offering them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create and share their unique musical expressions on a global platform.
Emerging artists from anywhere in India can submit their tracks on www.nexamusic.com to participate in NEXA Music Season 3. The jury comprising A.R. Rahman, NEXA, and Qyuki will shortlist contestants from all entries received. These contestants will be showcased at the ‘NEXA Music Lab’, which identifies and focuses a spotlight on their talent.
NEXA Music Season 3 will continue to be anchored by its two foundational pillars: NEXA Music Lounge and NEXA Music Lab.
● NEXA Music Lounge: The Lounge will showcase headline performances from top indie artists and winners of previous seasons, who will contribute their original compositions to elevate the NEXA Music platform. Season 3 will feature indie legends including Raja Kumari, King, and Arjun Kanungo in addition to the curator, A. R. Rahman.
● NEXA Music Lab: The NEXA Music Lab is where selected participants will receive guidance from international music publishers alongside global music icon A.R. Rahman. Emerging artists will have a platform to showcase their original work, allowing for complete creative expression. This ensures their original compositions and music videos reflect their true artistic vision.
NEXA Music Season 3 promises to be a landmark album, celebrating the depth and diversity of India’s musical heritage. By embracing talent across the country, it will continue to redefine the musical landscape, creating a vibrant and inclusive platform for artists to shine.
Artists can click on www.nexamusic.com to participate and submit their entries.
iWorld
OpenAI hits back at Elon Musk’s lawsuit ahead of trial
Company calls claims “baseless” and accuses Musk of trying to disrupt a rival.
MUMBAI: When the stakes are measured in billions and egos are involved, even Silicon Valley titans can turn a courtroom into a battlefield. OpenAI has issued a sharp public response to Elon Musk’s ongoing lawsuit, accusing the billionaire of filing the case to harass a competitor rather than address genuine concerns. In a strongly worded statement shared on its official X account, OpenAI described Musk’s allegations as “baseless” and suggested the lawsuit is an attempt to disrupt the company as the case heads toward trial later this month in Oakland, California.
The response comes after Musk’s legal team recently amended the complaint, proposing that any damages potentially exceeding $150 billion should go to OpenAI’s nonprofit entity rather than to Musk personally. OpenAI questioned the timing and motive behind this change, calling it a late-stage attempt to “pretend to change his tune” on the nonprofit structure.
The company further labelled the lawsuit a “harassment campaign”, arguing that Musk’s actions are driven by personal rivalry, ego, and a desire for greater control and financial upside.
At the heart of the dispute is Musk’s claim that OpenAI has abandoned its original nonprofit mission of developing artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity. A co-founder who left in 2018, Musk is seeking governance changes, including the removal of CEO Sam Altman from the nonprofit board, and the return of certain financial gains linked to Altman and President Greg Brockman.
OpenAI has firmly rejected these allegations, maintaining that its current hybrid structure, a public-benefit corporation overseen by a nonprofit parent remains true to its long-term goals. The company has also previously accused Musk of anti-competitive behaviour aimed at weakening its leadership.
As the case prepares for a jury trial, this public exchange highlights the deepening rift between two of the most influential figures in the AI revolution and raises broader questions about governance, mission, and power in the fast-moving world of artificial intelligence.
In the high-stakes game of AI, it seems the real drama isn’t just inside the models, it’s playing out in courtrooms too.
