CHANDIGARH — The Punjabi music industry has a fierce new force to reckon with. Nikhil Mehta, universally known by his stage name Kotti, is rapidly transitioning from a small-town talent into a global live sensation. Born in 1999 in the quiet village of Koti (Tehsil Baddi, District Solan, HP), the young artist has successfully weaponised his academic roots to conquer the competitive urban music market.
Academic Roots and Musical Foundation
Unlike many peers who rely solely on instinct, Kotti boasts a formal foundation in his craft. The son of Roop Chand and Sarvani Devi completed his early schooling at Doon Public School, Barotiwala, before migrating to the regional media hub of Chandigarh. It was here, while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music at the Post Graduate Government College (PGGC) in Sector 46, that Nikhil refined his raw vocal abilities and mastered the art of songwriting and composition.
The Multi-Talented Threat
Kotti stands out as a rare triple-threat in the modern scene: he sings, writes, and composes his entire catalog. This creative autonomy has attracted the industry’s elite music producers and top-tier record labels.
His breakthrough hits 22 Kehnda and 5 Saal—both produced by the hitmaker Yeah Proof and released via Single Track Studios—rapidly established his signature style. He later expanded his mainstream footprint by partnering with India’s largest music label, T-Series, for the emotional anthem Peg Laake Roya.
“Kotti stands out as a rare triple-threat in the modern scene: he sings, writes, and composes his entire catalog.”
Cult Success and Sonic Collaborations
The artist’s most notable cultural footprint remains the acclaimed Kanpati trilogy.
- Kanpati 1 launched under 315 Records with music by Rick Hrt.
- Kanpati 2 and Kanpati 3 saw Kotti team up with acclaimed producer Cheetah, solidifying a dark, street-centric sound that resonated heavily with youth audiences.
The Kotti-Cheetah partnership yielded further independent success with Thaane and the self-released anthem Badmash. Kotti has also consistently diversified his soundscape by collaborating with heavy-hitting industry producers, including Jassi X (Khokhe Mangda), Jay Dee (20 Bande), and Afsr on the twin tracks Chhanani and 506.
Global Expansion
Kotti’s impact is no longer confined to the standard Punjab-Haryana circuit. The artist recently touched down in Dubai for a series of high-octane live shows, successfully exporting his localized sound to the massive international NRI diaspora. For an artist who started in a remote village in Himachal Pradesh, the global stage is officially calling.
