2024 In Sri Lankan Music

2024, has been another incredible year in music from Sri Lanka! While the globe saw a surge in the rise of Rock & Alternative, we saw a rise in feats and amazing comebacks. Here’s what happened!

The NOTABLES

This year saw us loose singer, songwriter & performer Talal Akram. He will be remembered for his music, his fun shows and his amazing personality.

hachaja released the island’s first all acapella album. Titled ‘No Place Like’, this is also his debut album, which had it’s debut on the YES Home Grown Top 15.

IYRE remixed ‘Good Luck’ by Basement Jaxx. ‘Good Luck’ is a Grammy nominated track, off a Grammy winning album.

He also went onto releasing ‘One More Chance’ with a veteran from London’s Grime Scene – Subten, thru Solvent Records

Buddhi De Mal became the first Lankan to have a Sinhala track featured on a Hollywood production / movie. ‘Numba Maage Maage’ is on the soundtrack of Black Jade, currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Priya Ragu becomes the first artist of Lankan roots to collaborate with Skrillex & Ahadadream on ‘Taka’, which went onto becoming a global smash and even was on the iphone 16 commercial.

Yohani became the first Lankan artist to collaborate with Edward Maya, who was already a hit with Lankan audiences with his hits like ‘Stereo Love’ from the 00’s.

Billy Fernando weds Devashrie! From the time they performed in church, to later in other projects, they were always very good together – vocally & stage performances. 2024 saw them tie the knot, and even release a special music video celebrating their love & special day.

The return of Ginger was a special one! After taking a pretty long hiatus, she was back with ‘Man Kollek Una Nam’ that was produced by Dimi3.

Duava announces him being on America’s Got Talent. While episodes haven’t aired at the time of this post, we’re guessing it would be out early 2025.

click here to check out the announcement video

ADK re-released ‘Nam Ooru’ as ‘Gammane’ with Sahan & Hirushi with Sinhala and a 2024 freshness added to the mix!

Sandun Athulathmudali did a remake of a track that was originally penned by Rockabilly Hall Of Fame artist, Jonnny Stark in 1974.

The rise of Dhee : We all know her for her work on ‘Enjoy Enjami’

2024 saw her go solo and drop 2 stellar singles. The first one being a cutsey ‘Can’t You Stay A Little Longer’

But it was single #2 that took he internet by major storm. An very strong and honest ode to her Lankan Tamil roots.

Sana has a massive catapult to fame when a Sanka B penned single hit the internet! ‘Sandak Wela’, produced by Sanka and Adeesha Beats has garnered 11M views on Youtube at the time of this post, and has been noted as one of the Biggest Viral singles of 2024.

Yohani has had a stellar 2024! Starting off with her performing at LPL in Dambulla this year!

She was also part of a version of the official theme ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Anthem of the year.

2024, finally saw the release of her debut album ‘Kella’ which spawned the hits ‘Kella’, ‘Cold Sunday’, ‘Numba Langa’ & ‘Kaikawee’.

SVDP had his Kollywood debut this year with ‘Burnout The Engine’ (with Christo Xavier), taken off the movie soundtrack of Turbo!

He also had his Bollywood debut on ‘Sikandar’

Click here to check out the short

Dj Mass performed at Ministry Of Sound, Uk this year. He also released his debut album Sri, Volume 1

Lanka’s iconic beatboxer takes a step back from beatboxing this year! Julius Mitchell released his debut pop vocal single, titled ‘Do Anything’

Dj Mass, Romaine, Shermaine, Yureni & The Island Stompers were the first few Lankans to open for Desi superstar royalty – Badshah in Singapore.

Romaine Willis released ‘Eh Yaye’ this year. The music video & single was taken down due to controversy surrounding the rights of the material reproduced. The state of the court case is unknown.

She chartered into sad boy music territory, and found massive success with her November release ‘Thani Manasaka’.

Later this year also saw her perform at Abu Dhabi’s T10 closing ceremony!

Dj Mass, Romaine Willis, Apzi & The Island Stompers performed at the LPL Opening Ceremony.

The Metal & Rock Scene

Raavan Kommand celebrated 10 years in the Lankan underground metal scene with a special concert that was held at the Bakeriya. ‘Oath Of Eternal Vengeance’ saw a slew of bands from the underground roster take stage on the 27th of April.

Stigmata performed in Dubai after a few years! They performed at two shows – Desert Inferno 28th & 29 that were headlined by Evile & Malevolent Creation in December.

Suresh De Silva goes solo with the first single off his upcoming, untitled album. ‘Shrine’ has garnered positive reviews on radio.

Genocide Shrines performed at Return To Slaughter, Bangalore on the 9th of November.

Hard rock band Salvage made a return with their single ‘Stage Of Heartache’.

The south of Sri Lanka finally saw the first metal concert take place. Southbound Carnage saw a killer lineup (Mass Damnation, Pharmakon Messiah, Whirlwind, Genetic Fallacy and illucia from India) perform on the 3rd of Feb

Whirlwind released the music video for live favorite ‘Forbidden By Thy Forlorn’.

Dinelli Phillips who was the first female growler from Lanka, also went solo this year. Her debut original ‘Everything That Was You’ was produced by Izzy Wildchild

The Other Underground : Prog, Techno & Beyond!

La Foresta is the concert series that was responsible for the island’s biggest label showcases this year!

Starting off with the Sudbeats label showcase with the legendary Hernan Cattaneo, to then Outta Limits, and then finishing the year with The Soundgarden Label showcase with Nick Warren.

Odyssey were responsible for the Lost & Found label showcase with Guy J!

Till The Sunrise – The label by Noiyse Project, turned 3!