At 17, Toronto’s Aashika Reddy is balancing high school life with a fast-rising music career – and her new EP LOOK AT ME proves she’s not just another teen with a dream, but an artist with a vision.

The six-track project marks her first EP, following a string of singles that have already introduced her as one of the most exciting young voices in Canadian R&B/Pop. But LOOK AT ME feels different: it’s not just a playlist of songs, it’s a teenage diary cracked open and set to music.

Teenage Chaos, Captured in Sound

If growing up feels like an emotional rollercoaster, LOOK AT ME is the soundtrack for the ride. The title track, with its biting hook “look at me like you look at her”, sets the tone for a project full of heartbreak, infatuation, and self-discovery. Aashika swings between playful delusion and raw vulnerability – singing about falling too hard, ignoring red flags, and rediscovering joy in new crushes and friendships. It’s messy, emotional, and honest – just like being 17.

South Asian Representation in Real Time

What really makes Aashika stand out is how naturally she brings her South Asian heritage into R&B and pop. On tracks like Time Machine and 3 Steps, traditional tabla percussion sits next to trap beats, while her toplines borrow from the Carnatic vocal runs she grew up practicing.

“My priority is amplifying South Asian creatives and carving out a space where our voices, stories, and artistry are celebrated on a global stage,” she explains. “The EP features Carnatic-inspired vocal runs, thabla percussion woven through most tracks, and melodies rooted in my cultural heritage.” The result is music that doesn’t feel forced or tokenized – it’s personal, experimental, and global all at once.

Bigger Than Just an EP

Aashika Reddy’s goal is clear: she wants to be the kind of artist she didn’t see growing up. “This project is bigger than music – it’s a cultural statement,” she says. “These songs are for brown girls who’ve never seen themselves in this space, for chaotic romantics who vent in their notes app, and for anyone who’s ever felt ‘too much.’”

Her independence adds to the statement. Not only does she sing and write her music, but she also directs and edits her own visuals – taking creative control into her own hands while collaborating with Grammy-winning producer Yonatan Watts (Ariana Grande, Muni Long).

Why LOOK AT ME Matters

With performances already under her belt at venues like TD Music Hall and Nathan Phillips Square, Aashika Reddy is no longer just “one to watch” – she’s already proving herself. LOOK AT ME is both a milestone and a mission: a call for more representation in pop culture, and a reminder that teenage chaos can make for timeless art.

LOOK AT ME is available now on all streaming platforms.

Stay updated with Aashika Reddy by following her on Instagram @_aashikareddy or visiting her Linktree.