International pop sensation and rapper Jackson Wang is soaking up the vibrant spirit of India during his second visit to the country, this time to promote his upcoming album Magic Man 2. Speaking to PTI during his stay in Mumbai, the GOT 7 member said he is here with no set itinerary, only the desire to “observe, absorb and be inspired.”
“I can just go out and experience it myself, and not someone trying to show me around the town. So, whatever the locals are doing, I want to just follow, observe, absorb, learn and also be inspired,” Wang said.
The 31-year-old singer, who first visited India to perform at Lollapalooza India in 2023, has been exploring the city like a true local this time around, from tasting spicy street food like vada pav and dahi sev puri to playing cricket on the beach.
“I forgot the name, but I liked the yoghurt and the crispy ball with beans in it (dahi sev puri). I’ve also had a sandwich on the street with mayonnaise and cheese, and the potato ball inside the bun (vada pav)—I like that too. I am allergic to chilis, but I am okay with spices. I had a great time,” he said.
Wang has also picked up a few Hindi phrases like Namaste and Shukriya, a nod to his efforts to connect with the culture on a deeper level during his week-long stay.
A video of the singer sharing street food and meeting Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan quickly went viral, which also led to speculation of a potential role in the upcoming Krrish 4. Wang was quick to dismiss the rumours though. “When we’re together, especially Hrithik and I, we don’t talk about work. So work-related stuff is never brought up in our conversation,” he clarified, adding, “Krrish 4 is a big movie but I am not there.”
The artist, known for solo hits like Blow and 100 Ways, is gearing up for the release of Magic Man 2, the follow-up to his acclaimed 2022 album. Wang shared that the project is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from his introspective downtime. “When I was recharging, I started writing my personal diaries, which turned into music. The way the entire Magic Man 2 looks is what I felt internally… Every single song is about what and how I feel about reality, society, and humanity.”
Wang also spoke fondly of his connection with Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh, with whom he collaborated on the track Buck. “We’re friends, we are in shoots, and I’m a big fan of his. He shows me a lot of love, and I appreciate him as a senior, as a legendary icon. We never know when it will happen (another collaboration). It probably will happen,” he said.