Jonathan Angami and Pelenuo Yhome of Kohima Nagaland have been selected in the top 24 artist list by Nexa Music to be part of India to record original English composition which will be mentored by music maestro A R Rahman.

Two artist who are brother and sister hailing from Nagaland, plays guitar, composes original songs.

Jonathan after his selection wrote on his Facebook profile ‘Not only Getting to work with you but also getting to perform for you, sir @arrahman was an absolute honour. Thank you for believing in my music. I will always cherish this’.

Task Force For Music & Arts, (TaFMA),
Government of Nagaland congratulated the duo. Government of Nagaland had roped in various artists from India to mentor talents of the state youths such as Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.

Check out Jonathan’s tuning to some Hindi songs.

Nexa Music started by Maruti Suzuki India is a special platform for budding musical talents to create original International music and release it globally.

Musicians from across the country participated with their original music work, out which 24 are selected who will be mentored by the country’s most popular music composers and global music icon A R Rahman and singer and composer Clinton Cerejo. A R Rahman’s Qyuki Digital Media will manage and help Maruti Suzuki sustain the initiative by using their expertise in proprietary technology and analytics across traditional and new media platforms.

It is a first of its kind platform for music aficionados across genres to create original international music of global standards. The unique initiative by NEXA is curated to provide aspiring Indian musicians a platform to compose original lyrics.

The selection criteria for the NEXA Music was that the contestants had to share their original music composition (Unreleased/ not promoted songs) at the NEXA Music website. The jury comprising of A R Rahman and Clinton Cerejo shortlisted 24 contestants who will be undergoing mentorship program at the NEXA Music Lab to further brush-up their singing talent. Now out of the 24 contestants the best 4 will be shortlisted and will be mentored by celebrity mentors to create 4 more additional videos. The 4 shortlisted candidates will also get a chance to do 12 live events with the NEXA Music mentors across India.