Archive · 24 Aug 2026
International Strange Music Day Spotlights Seven Cringe-Pop Cult Artists
International Strange Music Day happens every year on August 24.
It encourages people to listen to music they might normally ignore.
The article highlights seven unusual or “cringe-pop” artists from South Asia.
They include Dhinchak Pooja, Raku Da, Taher Shah and Chahat Fateh Ali Khan.
Some of their songs became famous because people shared, joked about or copied them online.
Chahat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Bado Badi” became especially popular before being removed after a copyright claim.
The artists often perform with great seriousness, even when audiences find their music funny.
The article says unusual music is not automatically bad music.
It may simply be unfamiliar, surprising or made outside the traditional music industry.
International Strange Music Day is observed annually on August 24.
New York-based musician Patrick Grant created the unofficial day in the late 1990s to encourage listening without prejudice.
The article recommends seven South Asian internet music figures, including Raku Da, Dhinchak Pooja and Taher Shah.
Chahat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Bado Badi” reportedly passed 28 million YouTube views before removal after a copyright claim.
The article argues that strange or cringe music can still create viral hits, cult followings and genuine internet fame.
- Who
- Patrick Grant created International Strange Music Day; the article features seven South Asian internet music acts: Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan, Raku Da, Dhinchak Pooja, Taher Shah, Vennu Mallesh, Chahat Fateh Ali Khan and Bhim Niroula.
- What
- An article recommends seven “cringe-pop” artists and explains the purpose and cultural impact of International Strange Music Day.
- When
- International Strange Music Day is observed on August 24 each year; the featured works span releases from 2012 to 2024.
- Where
- The day was created by New York-based musician Patrick Grant, while the featured artists come primarily from India, Pakistan and Nepal.
- Why
- Grant created the day to encourage people to listen to music outside their usual tastes and without prejudice.
- Date
- August 24
- Creator
- New York-based musician and composer Patrick Grant
- Origin
- The unofficial observance began in the late 1990s.
- Featured artists
- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan, Raku Da, Dhinchak Pooja, Taher Shah, Vennu Mallesh, Chahat Fateh Ali Khan and Bhim Niroula
- Viral track
- Chahat Fateh Ali Khan’s “Bado Badi” reportedly crossed 28 million YouTube views before removal.
- Copyright issue
- “Bado Badi” was removed following a claim over its resemblance to Noor Jehan’s earlier version from “Banarsi Thug”.
- Core idea
- Strange music can mean unfamiliar, odd or over-the-top music, rather than necessarily bad music.