At just 16, junior Eshu Vinnakota has already begun creating a name for himself in the realm of music. What started as a childhood fascination with pop songs has grown into a meaningful art of his own, built by his cultural roots and character.
“Music’s always been a part of my life. I’ve been singing informally since I was three years old,” Vinnakota said. It all started when he was a toddler, when he would sing at random coffee shops. “I started singing One Direction songs — they were my favorite band,” Vinnakota said. Those moments ignited a love of music-making that only grew stronger as time passed.
The real turning point for Vinnakota came in sixth grade, during the stagnant months of the COVID-19 pandemic. With school shifting online, Vinnakota’s teacher introduced his class to GarageBand, a simple digital app that opened minds to music. “That inspired me to take on a challenge outside of class,” he said. “I had a bunch of free time, so I started producing music.” What started as an informal hobby soon turned serious, with Vinnakota releasing songs on SoundCloud, YouTube and eventually Spotify.
Growing up as an Indian-American, Vinnakota’s art carries influences from many cultures. He was raised on mainstream American pop infused with Bollywood and Indian classical music, which left a lasting impression. “I’ve always been inspired by that dual heritage,” Vinnakota said. “Both cultures really shaped how I write and what I create.”
The influence shows in his song, “Backroads and Heartbeats,,” a track that features his mother singing a Hindi verse. “It’s about my parents,” he said. “Including my mom made it really authentic.”
When Vinnakota started making music, he tried to emulate pop staples like Justin Bieber before gradually transitioning into hip-hop rhythms and later discovering his own voice. A major milestone came when he collaborated on the single “As It Was” with Weston Estate, an indie group with over 440,000 Spotify monthly listeners that his cousin performs in. “‘As It Was’ was co-produced by them,” Vinnakota said. “That’s probably been the biggest moment so far.”
For Vinnakota, music isn’t about the song itself; it’s about the purpose of making music. “I’m using my microphone as a symbol of vulnerability and self-expression,” Vinnakota said. “That’s what music and art are all about.”
Behind every song is a long creative process, from forming ideas to tuning vocals and mixing beats. While balancing school life is a challenge, Vinnakota has learned that moderation and efficiency are both key to managing his life as a student and musician. “It’s all just about self-expression,” Vinnakota said. “If my songs make even a small impact, whether on someone’s day or their life, that’s what keeps me coming back.”
