Meet Nibu Abraham | Dj/Radio Host/Producer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nibu Abraham and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nibu, how does your business help the community?
Through Generasian Radio, and our Monthly IndoHouse night Spindia which has been Houston’s global musical secret weapon for over two decades, we’ve made it our mission to spotlight artists from corners of the planet that most maps forget. We give a mic to voices that usually get drowned out by the mainstream. In a world constantly building walls, we’re spinning records that build bridges.

So yeah, while some businesses move units, we move souls—and hips. My business helps the world by proving that rhythm is universal, curiosity is contagious, and that the best way to move toward world peace might just be through the dancefloor.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art lives at the intersection of tradition and experimentation. As a DJ and producer specializing in Indo-House and global electronic sounds, I blend Indian rhythms, instruments, and energy with house, techno, and left-field beats from around the world. What sets me apart is that I’m not just mixing tracks—I’m mixing cultures, generations, and identities. It’s not always easy to explain, but when the right beat drops and someone hears their heritage woven into the music in a new way—it clicks.

Getting here wasn’t smooth. Growing up South Asian in the American South, you learn quickly how to code-switch. You keep your music to yourself sometimes—because it’s “too much,” “too different,” or “not mainstream enough.” And when I started trying to perform, I had to convince venues to take a risk on music that didn’t fit neatly into their usual formats. Explaining Indo-House to a club manager who only books Top 40 DJs was… character building.

There’s also the reality that this scene—this sound—isn’t driven by big money. You don’t do it for the fame. You do it because you believe in the power of something different. And let me tell you, there is so much enthusiasm out there—people are hungry to hear music that reflects the global, multicultural world they actually live in. Every time someone comes up after a set and says, “I’ve never heard anything like that before,” that’s the reward.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you can’t wait for permission to do something new—you have to build the stage yourself if the industry won’t give it to you. That’s why I co-host Generasian Radio, which has been showcasing global artists and underrepresented sounds in Houston for over 20 years. We created the space we wanted to see.

What I want the world to know is that my art is about celebration, connection, and cultural storytelling through rhythm. It’s about giving sound to identities that often go unheard in nightlife and media. My brand isn’t just about beats—it’s about belonging.

So no, it hasn’t been easy. But it’s been worth it. And I’m just getting started.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting Houston for a week, I’d curate an experience that’s equal parts underground, cultural, and unforgettable. First stop? Vinal Edge Records—this place changed my life. It’s not your average record store. It’s a treasure chest of punk, obscure global gems, and underground vinyl that shaped who I am as both a DJ and a person. Flipping through those crates is like taking a trip through forgotten corners of music history.

After digging for records, we’d head over to Brasil in Montrose. It’s a chill, artsy spot with a rotating menu that hits every craving—from wood-fired pizza to salmon tacos. The outdoor patio is perfect for people-watching and catching up over coffee or cocktails, surrounded by local art and good vibes.

We’d wrap up the night at The Flat, hands down one of the most arts-forward bars in the city. You never know what you’re going to hear there—downtempo, acid jazz, global house—and the DJ roster is as eclectic as it gets. Mark from Khruangbin even stopped by recently to spin vinyl. It’s that kind of place: spontaneous, soulful, and deeply rooted in the creative heartbeat of Houston.

That would just be the beginning of the week, but those three spots—Vinal Edge, Brasil, and The Flat—are essential to understanding the rhythm and soul of the city. Each one has played a part in my journey, and I couldn’t imagine showing someone Houston without them.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Shoutout to the Generasian Radio crew—my fellow sonic rebels and co-conspirators in global groove. For over two decades, we’ve occupied that stubborn little corner of the radio dial that refuses to play what everyone else is spinning. Together, we’ve amplified voices from across the globe—artists whose names some can’t pronounce, but whose sounds stay with you long after the broadcast ends.

Special props to Deepi Sidhu, former Houston Texans reporter and one of the first female South Asian sports reporters in the game; Yogi Goyal, founder of Karma DJs, who’s opened for major acts around the world and is considered one of the top South Asian DJs in the nation; and DJ Alx aka Alxspins, a true pioneer in Indo-House—both spinning and producing tracks that have helped define the genre.

Massive respect to the underground DJs, street musicians, and crate diggers—from the alleys of Mumbai to the souks of Morocco. You’ve taught me that the best music isn’t found on the charts, but in basements, in bootlegs, passed hand-to-hand, or uploaded at 2 a.m. by someone with 14 followers and a tabla.

And of course, to all the punk bands I’ve played in—No Resistance and TomFooligans—you shaped me. That DIY spirit gave me the confidence to approach music on my own terms. Without it, I wouldn’t have had the guts to blend the raw with the refined, the ancient with the electronic, or to believe that a sound from one part of the world could move a crowd halfway across it.

Website: https://generasianradio.com

Instagram: generasianradio

Twitter: generasianradio

Soundcloud: northsideindian

Youtube: generasianradio

Other: https://www.youtube.com/@spindia-tx