At just 23 years old, Oasis Thapa is a rising star in the Nepali music industry with hits like ‘Juni Vari Lai’, ‘Fakaula Timilai’ and ‘Bhikhaari’. Driven by a passion for music and inspired by the opportunities available in the Nepali entertainment realm, Thapa boldly decided to pursue his musical aspirations, leaving behind his academic pursuits during the last year of his A Levels at Orient College in 2019. This has proven to be a rewarding experience for the Baglung native.

One can trace Thapa’s love for music back to his childhood. Like many children, he yearned for attention and was drawn to the adoration musicians received. Pretty soon, his attraction transformed into a deep-rooted passion for music. Initially starting as a cover singer, Thapa soon began penning his own songs to express his emotions—often fueled by frustration, anger, regrets, and confusion. He delved into songwriting at the age of 13 but now admits that his first few tries at lyrics writing were far from polished.

“During a difficult period in my life (around 2017), I poured my heart out onto paper, resulting in some good lyrics,” reveals Thapa. This marked the turning point in his songwriting journey. Despite being a self-trained singer and songwriter, his fans love his vocal tone and the emotions he portrays through his singing.

Thapa remembers this one time he sang his composition (this one, he says, hasn’t been released to date) to his friends. They reacted very positively to it, which significantly increased his confidence in his abilities as a musician and encouraged him to pen more songs in the future.

Something interesting many might now know about Thapa’s breakthrough song ‘Juni Vari Lai’, which now has over 12 million views on YouTube, is that the singer got inspired to write after a meaningful conversation with his girlfriend. “I had asked her (his girlfriend) what she thought the price of love was. She replied with a ‘heartbreak’. That was such a simple answer but so true at the same time,” he says.

Although Thapa’s songs are primarily Nepali, he finds writing in English easier. So most of the time, he writes his songs in English and then translates them into Nepali.

A dilemma Thapa is currently facing is that he wants to explore other genres of music. However, he knows his audience really enjoys the melancholic and mournful style he has going on right now. He fears changing genres right now might alienate his core fans as they might not resonate with those tracks. As Thapa views music as both an artistic and commercial medium—because, let’s be real, that is his bread and butter—he doesn’t want to experiment extensively with his work and instead is focusing on delivering what his audience craves.

TikTok has helped Thapa’s career take off smoothly as his songs frequently go viral on the platform. While he does acknowledge the site for how impactful it has been, he doesn’t think that is the sole reason for his success. He believes a lot of his listeners appreciate his emotional delivery and depth of lyrics.

Thapa has also felt himself grow as an artist and a music industry insider along the years. “I didn’t promote my songs much earlier. I also just released audio tracts. I had no concept of marketing and promotions,” says Thapa, adding, that these days he has a full promotional campaign for each of his releases. Additionally, he has also learned how important music videos are. So, he puts a lot of effort into curating the perfect videos to accompany his tracks.

As someone who disliked social media before debuting as a singer, Thapa now appreciates how powerful it is for entertainers and people who work in the media.

When asked what he would advise aspiring musicians, Thapa emphasises the importance of honing one’s craft rather than getting caught up in the competitive nature of the ever-expanding Nepali music industry. “When you are good at your job, people will notice you,” he explains.

Thapa’s unwavering dedication to transcribing his emotions into music has propelled him to new heights in the Nepali music industry. With his heartfelt and relatable compositions, Thapa continues to captivate audiences while staying true to his genre. As he embarks on his journey, he remains focused on cultivating his artistry, making a lasting impact, and sharing his profound musical expressions with the world.

Oasis Thapa's song recommendations

Putali

Artist: The Elements

Year: 2020

Album: Putali

I like the message of the song. It talks about holding your head high and pushing through tough times.

Khokka

Artist: Bluesss featuring Foeseal

Year: 2022

Album: Blue Up High

Khokka has a nice vibe. It is fun to just sit and listen—nothing too complex and not too basic either. Just a vibe.

3 Nights

Artist: Dominic Fike

Year: 2019

Album: Don’t Forget About Me

Dominic Fike's releases reflect his personality, and his mood while working on the track. This song is fun to sing too.

Asphyxia

Artist: Co shu Nie

Year: 2018

Album: Pure

I love the complexity of Asphyxia. It utilises music theory well and is very emotional. Listening to it gives me goosebumps.

Butterflies

Artists: Skrillex, Starrah, Four Tet

Year: 2021

Album: Quest For Fire

I like the attention to detail Skrillex gives to his sounds and mixes. He has a unique approach to music but also understands what makes good music.