By Spandan Fulkar
24th May 2024
By Spandan Fulkar
24th May 2024
Shivam Sharma, known in the music world as rbbt, is a 29-year-old assistant professor of nuclear physics at a medical college in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Despite his academic career, Sharma has carved a unique path in the music industry, blending his scientific precision with creative flair. As one-half of the duo "Bad Trip Symphony" and a solo artist, rbbt's journey into music is as eclectic as his sound.
Sharma's introduction to music was serendipitous. "When I was in 9th grade, I got introduced to Michael Jackson, Linkin Park, and Eminem. I didn't understand a single word, but the music was really catchy, and it got my whole attention. Ever since then, there's been no looking back," Sharma recalls. This early exposure to diverse genres sparked a passion that would eventually lead him to create his own music, even if his first attempt was less than polished.
Reflecting on his beginnings, Sharma shares a candid memory: "My first song was total shit. I recorded it in my room on an old Android phone and mixed it on my desktop computer using Virtual DJ. Looking back, it was very amateur, and I had no clue what I was doing, but it was definitely the beginning of something. Now, I'm here talking to you guys, so it was a hell of a journey." This humble start underscores the authenticity of his evolution as an artist, driven by a pure love for music and an unwavering commitment to improve.
As an artist, rbbt's primary goal is both practical and passionate. "I just want to survive in this cruel world. I want to earn some money so that I can survive. I'm a married man, and sooner or later, I'll have a family. I don't want to be the richest, but just do enough to keep food on the table. My music is something I just love doing. I listen to a lot of music and make whatever I feel like, irrespective of how people are going to react or how many numbers it will do." Sharma's approach to music is refreshingly genuine, focusing on personal fulfillment over commercial success.
Shivam Sharma, known in the music world as rbbt, is a 29-year-old assistant professor of nuclear physics at a medical college in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Despite his academic career, Sharma has carved a unique path in the music industry, blending his scientific precision with creative flair. As one-half of the duo "Bad Trip Symphony" and a solo artist, rbbt's journey into music is as eclectic as his sound.
Sharma's introduction to music was serendipitous. "When I was in 9th grade, I got introduced to Michael Jackson, Linkin Park, and Eminem. I didn't understand a single word, but the music was really catchy, and it got my whole attention. Ever since then, there's been no looking back," Sharma recalls. This early exposure to diverse genres sparked a passion that would eventually lead him to create his own music, even if his first attempt was less than polished.
Reflecting on his beginnings, Sharma shares a candid memory: "My first song was total shit. I recorded it in my room on an old Android phone and mixed it on my desktop computer using Virtual DJ. Looking back, it was very amateur, and I had no clue what I was doing, but it was definitely the beginning of something. Now, I'm here talking to you guys, so it was a hell of a journey." This humble start underscores the authenticity of his evolution as an artist, driven by a pure love for music and an unwavering commitment to improve.
As an artist, rbbt's primary goal is both practical and passionate. "I just want to survive in this cruel world. I want to earn some money so that I can survive. I'm a married man, and sooner or later, I'll have a family. I don't want to be the richest, but just do enough to keep food on the table. My music is something I just love doing. I listen to a lot of music and make whatever I feel like, irrespective of how people are going to react or how many numbers it will do." Sharma's approach to music is refreshingly genuine, focusing on personal fulfillment over commercial success.
In his home studio, a modest setup, Sharma experiments with different sounds and ideas. "My process is basically to sit post work and mess around with different sounds and stuff. Sometimes, I have a specific song or inspiration to work in a particular direction, and sometimes it's just randomly playing with samples." This experimental approach is a cornerstone of his music, allowing him to blend cinematic, ambient, alternative, and experimental styles into a cohesive sound that defies traditional genre boundaries.
Sharma's music is a fusion of influences and inspirations. He doesn't adhere to any particular artist or genre, instead drawing from whatever he hears and likes. "My musical sound can be described as a fusion of a lot of different genres mixed together. I don't have any particular artist who inspires me every day; it's just whatever I hear and whatever I like that reflects in my music. I like learning and discovering new music a lot."
Despite not yet being fully integrated into the mainstream music industry, rbbt has an impressive portfolio. His debut album, "Soul Searching," set to release on April 28th, marks a significant milestone in his career. Alongside this, he has produced a mixtape of 12 tracks, an EP, and an album. Currently, his focus is on producing a metal project, a nod to his roots in a metal band from 2017 to 2020. "I've always had a growler inside, and I want to take it out," Sharma explains.
The evolution of rbbt as an artist is evident in his growth as a lyricist, producer, and mixing artist. "I've made serious progress. I keep learning from other artists in the scene, observing how they approach their respective music. My style or approach to music is just to stand out sound-wise and bring something of my own to the scene." His dedication to honing his craft and his willingness to learn from others highlight his commitment to artistic excellence.
In his home studio, a modest setup, Sharma experiments with different sounds and ideas. "My process is basically to sit post work and mess around with different sounds and stuff. Sometimes, I have a specific song or inspiration to work in a particular direction, and sometimes it's just randomly playing with samples." This experimental approach is a cornerstone of his music, allowing him to blend cinematic, ambient, alternative, and experimental styles into a cohesive sound that defies traditional genre boundaries.
Sharma's music is a fusion of influences and inspirations. He doesn't adhere to any particular artist or genre, instead drawing from whatever he hears and likes. "My musical sound can be described as a fusion of a lot of different genres mixed together. I don't have any particular artist who inspires me every day; it's just whatever I hear and whatever I like that reflects in my music. I like learning and discovering new music a lot."
Despite not yet being fully integrated into the mainstream music industry, rbbt has an impressive portfolio. His debut album, "Soul Searching," set to release on April 28th, marks a significant milestone in his career. Alongside this, he has produced a mixtape of 12 tracks, an EP, and an album. Currently, his focus is on producing a metal project, a nod to his roots in a metal band from 2017 to 2020. "I've always had a growler inside, and I want to take it out," Sharma explains.
The evolution of rbbt as an artist is evident in his growth as a lyricist, producer, and mixing artist. "I've made serious progress. I keep learning from other artists in the scene, observing how they approach their respective music. My style or approach to music is just to stand out sound-wise and bring something of my own to the scene." His dedication to honing his craft and his willingness to learn from others highlight his commitment to artistic excellence.
One of the key lessons Sharma has learned is the importance of self-reliance in the music industry. "The only thing I have learned so far is that no one is coming to save you. No one is going to make a path for you, so you've got to do it by yourself. You can definitely get lucky and find a team or people who can help you out. So my advice is to keep on learning. You are on your own, so make sure you get the best out of yourself." This pragmatic yet hopeful perspective is a testament to his resilience and determination.
Among his works, "God Particle" stands out as rbbt's most experimental track. It features three parts and three genre flips, showcasing his versatility and creative freedom. "I had a lot of fun making it. I had full freedom of going in any direction and traveling through any genre. I made that track for a short film, but unfortunately, the short film didn't see the light of day, so I took the liberty and put out the track." This track exemplifies Sharma's innovative spirit and his ability to adapt and make the best of unforeseen circumstances.
As he looks forward to the release of his debut album, "Soul Searching," on April 28th, Sharma reflects on the personal nature of his work. "It actually sums up my personal life, my experiences, my personal dealings and stuff. It kind of says pretty much everything about my life and who I am as a person." This introspective album promises to be a deeply personal and authentic expression of his journey, offering listeners a glimpse into his life and soul.
In conclusion, Shivam Sharma, a.k.a. rbbt, is an artist who embodies passion, perseverance, and authenticity. His journey from a 9th-grade music enthusiast to a multifaceted musician is a testament to his dedication and love for the craft. As he continues to explore new sounds and push creative boundaries, rbbt remains a unique voice in the music scene, driven by a desire to create and share his music with the world.
One of the key lessons Sharma has learned is the importance of self-reliance in the music industry. "The only thing I have learned so far is that no one is coming to save you. No one is going to make a path for you, so you've got to do it by yourself. You can definitely get lucky and find a team or people who can help you out. So my advice is to keep on learning. You are on your own, so make sure you get the best out of yourself." This pragmatic yet hopeful perspective is a testament to his resilience and determination.
Among his works, "God Particle" stands out as rbbt's most experimental track. It features three parts and three genre flips, showcasing his versatility and creative freedom. "I had a lot of fun making it. I had full freedom of going in any direction and traveling through any genre. I made that track for a short film, but unfortunately, the short film didn't see the light of day, so I took the liberty and put out the track." This track exemplifies Sharma's innovative spirit and his ability to adapt and make the best of unforeseen circumstances.
As he looks forward to the release of his debut album, "Soul Searching," on April 28th, Sharma reflects on the personal nature of his work. "It actually sums up my personal life, my experiences, my personal dealings and stuff. It kind of says pretty much everything about my life and who I am as a person." This introspective album promises to be a deeply personal and authentic expression of his journey, offering listeners a glimpse into his life and soul.
In conclusion, Shivam Sharma, a.k.a. rbbt, is an artist who embodies passion, perseverance, and authenticity. His journey from a 9th-grade music enthusiast to a multifaceted musician is a testament to his dedication and love for the craft. As he continues to explore new sounds and push creative boundaries, rbbt remains a unique voice in the music scene, driven by a desire to create and share his music with the world.
