We caught up with the brilliant and insightful DPAK a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

DPAK, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Honestly, it wasn’t just one lightning-bolt moment — it was more like this slow, undeniable pull that kept growing over time. I was always that wild “ADHD kid” making crazy sounds everywhere, beatboxing, mimicking voices, and singing along to literally everything I heard. Michael Jackson hit me first for sure — I’d study his moves, his vibe, the way he could command a room through pure energy and emotion. He lit that first spark in me.

But I grew up in a classic first-generation Indian household, so the expectation was: doctor, lawyer, engineer, or computer scientist… standard. I studied neurobiology-physiology and criminology-criminal justice, was fully on the pre-med and pre-law track, even did a quick stint in finance right after my undergrad.

At the same time, while at the University of Maryland, I discovered the wild world of college a cappella, similar to that movie Pitch Perfect. I became one of the lead singers and the musical director of our main all-male group, and that’s when I really started questioning my long-term future for the first time. I was performing live almost every weekend, touring the college scene, and constantly feeling the pulse of the crowd’s energy — it was undeniable that this consistent experience was giving me a new perspective on how I could impact the world in the best way.

Another huge turning point came when I fell in love with the legendary album “OK Computer” by Radiohead. I discovered this record also during college, when I was in that deep reflective phase of my future and how I wanted to live my life. That album cracked something open in me that cannot be denied. The emotion, the sound, the message — it showed me how music could be more than just entertainment. It could be transformational. It could be medicine. It could be movement.

That, plus so many other great artists such as Pink Floyd, The Bee Gees, The Beach Boys — all these sounds that shaped my spirit — they gave me the courage to do what felt insane at the time: ditch the safe path and move to L.A. to become a full-time artist. I didn’t have a plan, but I had a knowing. I had to follow that fire and see where it would lead…

DPAK, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As I mentioned earlier, my journey into the creative world wasn’t linear — I come from a traditional academic background, and for a while, I followed that path. But there was always a deeper pull — toward music, expression, and something more meaningful.

Today, I’m a musician, performer, and speaker — but more than that, I see my work as part of a bigger mission. I use music and storytelling as a way to help people reconnect to themselves, to each other, and to a deeper sense of purpose. I’m not here just to entertain — I’m here to create something that stirs the heart, opens the mind, and invites us to grow.

Through my platform **DPAK WORLD**, I’ve been building a home for that vision — a space where art meets personal empowerment, health meets self-expression, and community replaces isolation. The songs I write, the shows I perform, and the content I share are all designed with that in mind. I want people to *feel* something — to walk away from an experience not just energized, but more connected to their own humanity.

I don’t claim to have all the answers — but I’m committed to asking better questions. I collaborate with other artists, truth-tellers, and movements that are focused on healing, freedom, and creating a new culture rooted in integrity and joy.

Some of the ways I serve that mission include:
– Writing and releasing original songs that speak to this moment in time
– Performing live at events, festivals, and community gatherings
– Speaking and sharing on topics like mindset, health sovereignty, and awakening
– Creating content that blends music, message, and meaning
– Building Team Humanity — a growing collective of people committed to truth, creativity, and unity

What means the most to me are the messages I get from people who say, “This helped me feel seen,” or “Your music reminded me of who I am.” That’s what keeps me going.

At the end of the day, I’m not trying to be the loudest voice in the room — I just want to be a voice that helps others remember their own.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Absolutely. One thing that can be hard for non-creatives to understand is that being an artist — especially in today’s world — isn’t just about “making music” or “doing what you love.” It’s about walking an unpredictable path where there’s no clear blueprint, no guaranteed paycheck, and no built-in validation system. It requires insane levels of self-trust, persistence, and a kind of faith that you’re building something meaningful even when there’s no immediate feedback telling you it’s working.

When I chose to step away from a stable, respectable path — med school, law school, finance — it wasn’t because I wanted an easier life. It was actually the harder road in every way. It meant facing uncertainty every single day, carving out my own identity, and constantly pushing through rejection, self-doubt, and the weight of other people’s expectations.

I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that creatives are just “dreamers.” In reality, to survive and thrive as a creative, you have to be one of the most disciplined, resilient, and innovative people out there. You’re building something from nothing — over and over again — and that takes a lot of courage; the risk is high, at every stage.

But here’s the thing: even if you’re not a musician or artist, the *creative mindset* is something we all need more of right now, no matter what path we are on. It’s the ability to imagine beyond what is, to adapt, to speak your truth, and to stay open. Whether you’re a parent, entrepreneur, teacher, or tech developer — creativity isn’t about a paintbrush or a guitar. It’s about how you live, how you solve problems, and how you express what’s real.

So to anyone out there who doesn’t consider themselves a “creative” — just know that you actually already are. And the more you allow that part of you to come alive, the more connected and alive you’ll feel.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that *success equals safety* — that if I followed the rules, checked the right boxes, and did everything “the right way,” I’d end up fulfilled, respected, and secure.

That belief was baked into me from a young age. Growing up in an immigrant household, there was so much love and support — but also a deep-rooted fear of instability. So the idea was: play it safe. Get the degrees, stack the credentials, follow the formula. And I did that — I studied neurobiology and criminology, was on the pre-med and pre-law track, and even worked in finance. But the further I went down that path, the more empty I felt. I was “succeeding,” but I was also withering inside.

The moment that really shook me was when I had already made it to L.A., and even after getting gigs — playing violin for huge artists, writing music for Disney, booking acting roles on TV — I still felt lost. That’s when I realized: following someone else’s idea of success doesn’t lead to your own fulfillment. You have to define it for yourself.

So I had to unlearn the idea that external achievement would bring internal peace. Real success, for me, is about alignment — doing work that lights me up, serves others, and stays true to who I really am. It’s not always easy. It’s not always stable. But it’s *real* — and that’s something I can build a life on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dpakworld.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dpak.world
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dpakworld
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dpakworld/
• Twitter: https://www.x.com/dpak_world
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DPAKWORLD
• Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/dpak_world
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dpakworld
  https://open.spotify.com/artist/5gv5EPhOtWTHz3wlXtOEyE?si=9p0ZlguoQiibtjRYeElj4g