Rahul Balyan

Rahul Balyan is a music industry professional currently serving as the Head of Market Strategy & Operations for South Asia, Middle East, and Africa (SAMEA) at Spotify.1 He has a rich professional background spanning over two decades, with significant experience in digital and music industries.

Professional Background:

• Currently Head of Strategy for SAMEA at Spotify (since 2024)12
• Previously Head of Music for India at Spotify (February 2021 - Present)3
• Worked at Radio Mirchi for nearly a decade in various leadership roles, including Chief Digital Officer and Head of Digital Initiatives3
• Earlier in his career, he worked at companies like Asian Paints and The Coca-Cola Company in marketing and sales roles3

Education:

• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) from Panjab University (1993-1997)3
• Management degree from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (1997-1999)3

Notable Achievements: Balyan is known for his insights into music trends, particularly in the Indian music scene. He has highlighted the growing popularity of Hip Hop among Gen Z in India, noting that over 70% of Hip Hop fans on Spotify are from this demographic.4 He has also been instrumental in curating Hip Hop music across six languages in India, with a focus on regional genres like Haryanvi and Punjabi Hip Hop.4