Behind the Scenes with KABU: Preparing and Setting Up a Live Show with Major Industry Stars

When KABU, the up-and-coming electronic music artist, was tasked to work on a notable concert for Usher, the Grammy Award-winning pop and R&B artist, who recently performed at Berklee School of Music in Boston – he knew he was in for a high-stakes production.

But KABU wasn’t afraid of the big challenge that stood before him. As the track producer, KABU was responsible for producing the entrance tracks for Usher and the grand finale song, his hit song, 'Without You’. This task required him to recreate the sound of Usher's biggest songs, designing patches and making a sound-alike version of 'Without You' by Usher and David Guetta.

Preparations took over a month, with countless hours spent in rehearsals, collaborating with Berklee professors, student arrangers, and show organizers. "Since I was in charge of the main intro tracks and the grand finale, I had to make sure everything was acoustically perfect and that Usher's entrance felt seamless. It was a challenging but rewarding experience," KABU explains.

While working with Usher was a career highlight, KABU's favorite performances are the ones where the crowd is there for him. "There's no better feeling than being a DJ for an audience that has specifically come to hear me play. When people recognize my work from social media and streaming platforms, and then show up at my performances, it's pure joy. Seeing them dance, vibe, and lose themselves in the music is the best reward."

KABU is more than just a music producer, he is an award-winning dynamic DJ hailing from New Delhi, India. He has rapidly carved a niche for himself in the electronic music scene, blending his Kashmiri roots with innovative rhythms and modern beats.

But aside from the electrifying performances, a world of meticulous preparation and technical expertise lies hidden. KABU recently shared his insights into his process, from crafting tracks for Usher to the intricate setup required for a live DJ set, revealing the dedication and passion that fuels his artistry.

KABU’s dedication extends far beyond performance and production. He is adept in a wide range of audio software like Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, and Ableton Live, and possesses technical expertise in modular synthesis, sound design, and digital signal processing. His time at Berklee has further enhanced his skills, allowing him to work with both analog and digital equipment, as well as software platforms like Wwise, Unity, and Unreal Engine. He is also committed to a healthy lifestyle, putting emphasis in fitness and meditation, which translates into a disciplined work ethic and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.

While KABU spent countless hours in rehearsals, interacting with Berklee professors, student arrangers, and show organizers, the experience, while demanding, proved incredibly rewarding, cementing his understanding of large-scale production. Working alongside a major A-list celebrity like Usher was thrilling, but there is more to the experience. KABU shares his experience with us, detailing the most cherished moments of this A-list experience.

Working on the Usher Show: A High-Stakes Production

“I was the Track Producer for Usher’s show at Berklee, where I was responsible for producing the entrance tracks and the grand finale song, ‘Without You’,” KABU explains. “The show featured the Berklee Live Ensemble, and my duty was to recreate the sound of Usher’s biggest songs, designing patches and making a sound-alike version of ‘Without You’ by Usher and David Guetta.”

Preparations took over a month, with countless hours spent in rehearsals, coordinating with Berklee professors, student arrangers, and show organizers. “Since I was in charge of the main intro tracks and the grand finale, I had to make sure everything was sonically perfect and that Usher’s entrance felt seamless. It was a challenging but gratifying experience.”

KABU’s Best Live Shows: The Energy of the Crowd

Despite the thrill of working on a show involving Usher, KABU’s favorite performances are the ones where the crowd is there for him. “There’s no better feeling than performing for an audience that has specifically come to hear me play. When people recognize my work from social media and streaming platforms, and then show up at my gigs, it’s pure joy. Seeing them dance, vibe, and lose themselves in the music is the best feeling.”

Boston’s club scene, along with college parties and private events in Philadelphia, have been some of his most memorable experiences. “There’s a rush of adrenaline, but there’s much more to it than that, it’s a connection between me and the audience.”

The Complex Setup Behind a DJ Performance

“People don’t always understand how much goes into setting up a DJ performance,” KABU says. “In most cases, gear is provided by the venue, since I’m often jumping from one gig to another. But for private events and weddings, we bring our own full setup—16" subs, 12" speakers, mixer boards, DJ controllers, microphones, and lighting rigs.”

Sound quality is essentially everything, and every event requires careful sound checks. “We always test different songs to balance the low-end, mids, and highs. We use multiband compression on the master output for a clean, punchy sound, but we don’t mess too much with the original mastering of tracks.”

Lighting is another critical outlook of the show. “I understand what each type of light does, but for bigger shows, I always try bringing a lighting tech who controls everything via DMX controllers. It makes a huge difference in setting the mood.”

Setting Up for Others vs. Setting Up for Himself

While KABU has worked as an AV technician and subcontractor, he doesn’t consider it his muse. “I’ve set up simple mic, speaker, and projection systems for corporate events and high-end venues, but it’s not something I enjoy. It’s good money for minimal time, which is important because my main focus is my artist project.”

His true passion lies in creating his own shows and constructing his brand as an artist. “Every decision I make—whether it’s about live sound, lighting, or the vibe of the event—is to make my performances stand out.”

Would KABU Take on Another Major Production Role?

Looking back on his experience working on the Usher show, KABU acknowledges that it was a defining moment in his career. “Track production is something I love, and working on a show this big was certainly an honor. If another major artist opportunity comes along, I’d love to be involved in any music-related role.”

Reflecting on his experience working on the Usher show, KABU is aware that it was a defining moment in his career. With a growing identity in clubs, private events, and social media, KABU is steadily building a name for himself—not just as a DJ and producer, but as an innovator shaping the future of live electronic performances.

However, his main concern remains clear. “Right now, all my energy is going into my artist brand. I want people to come to see me perform, to experience my music firsthand. That’s already happening, and I’m already just getting started.”

With a growing aura in clubs, private events, and social media, KABU is firmly establishing a name for himself—not just merely as a DJ and producer, but as a pioneer shaping the future of live electronic performances.

With a unique combination of technical prowess, cultural influences, and unwavering dedication, KABU is assured to continue arising in the electronic music world, captivating audiences with his signature "filmy" style and infectious energy. You can find KABU’s music on Spotify, where he continues to blend Indian Contemporary styles with House music, modifying his sets to create unforgettable experiences for his growing fanbase.

Follow KABU on Spotify.

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Behind the Scenes with KABU: Performing and Setting Up a Live Show with Major Industry Stars

When KABU, the acclaimed electronic music artist, was tapped to work on a notable concert for Usher, the Grammy Award-winning pop and R&B artist, who recently performed at Berklee School of Music in Boston – he knew he was in for a high-stakes production.

But KABU wasn’t afraid of the big challenge that stood before him. As the track producer, KABU was responsible for producing the entrance tracks for Usher and the grand finale song, his hit song, 'Without You.' This task required him to recreate the sound of Usher's biggest songs, designing patches and making a sound-alike version of 'Without You' by Usher and David Guetta.

Preparation took over a month, with countless hours spent in rehearsals, coordinating with Berklee professors, student arrangers, and show organizers. "Since I was in charge of the main intro tracks and the grand finale, I had to make sure everything was sonically perfect and that Usher's entrance felt seamless. It was a challenging but rewarding experience," KABU explains.

While working with Usher was a career highlight, KABU's favorite performances are the ones where the crowd is there for him. He has established himself as a regular headlining act at some of the East Coast’s biggest music venues such as CandiBar, Club Bijou, Room 51, Royale, and many more, in addition to a go-to musician for distinguished music production organizations including Merchant Records, Boston Desi Events, Bandish Productions LLC, and

Xtreme Productions.

KABU is more than just a sound technician and producer, he is an award-winning dynamic musician and DJ hailing from New Delhi, India. He has rapidly carved a niche for himself in the electronic music scene, blending his Kashmiri roots with innovative rhythms and modern beats.

But beyond the electrifying performances, a world of meticulous preparation and technical expertise lies hidden. KABU recently shared insights into his process, from crafting tracks for Usher to the intricate setup required for a live performance, revealing the dedication and passion that fuel his artistry.

KABU’s dedication extends beyond performance and production. He is proficient in a range of audio software like Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, and Ableton Live, and possesses expertise in modular synthesis, sound design, and digital signal processing. His time at Berklee has further enhanced his skills, allowing him to work with both analog and digital equipment, as well as software platforms like Wwise, Unity, and Unreal Engine. He is also committed to a healthy lifestyle, prioritizing fitness and meditation, which translates into a disciplined work ethic and a commitment to delivering high-quality work.

Working alongside a major A-list celebrity like Usher was thrilling, but there is more to the experience. KABU shares his experience with us, detailing the most cherished moments of this A-list experience.

Working on the Usher Show: A High-Stakes Production

“I was the Track Producer for Usher’s show at Berklee, where I was responsible for producing the entrance tracks and the grand finale song, ‘Without You’,” KABU explains. “The show featured the Berklee Live Ensemble, and my job was to recreate the sound of Usher’s biggest songs, designing patches and making a sound-alike version of ‘Without You’ by Usher and David Guetta.”

Preparation took over a month, with countless hours spent in rehearsals, coordinating with Berklee professors, student arrangers, and show organizers. The experience proved incredibly rewarding, solidifying his understanding of large-scale production “Since I was in charge of the main intro tracks and the grand finale, I had to make sure everything was sonically perfect, and that Usher’s entrance felt seamless. It was a challenging but rewarding experience.”

KABU’s Best Live Shows: The Energy of the Crowd

Despite the thrill of working on a show involving Usher, KABU’s favorite performances are the ones where the crowd is there for him. With his original releases and remixes amassing millions of views across social media and streaming platforms, he has built a dedicated fanbase that extends beyond the DJ booth. “There’s no better feeling than performing for an audience that has specifically come to hear me play. When people recognize my work from social media and streaming platforms, and then show up at my gigs, it’s pure joy. Seeing them dance, vibe, and lose themselves in the music is the best reward.”

Boston’s club scene, along with college events and private events in Philadelphia, have been some of his most memorable experiences. “There’s an adrenaline rush, but more than that, it’s a moment of connection between me and the audience.”

KABU’s strong online presence has been instrumental in supporting these successful performances, transforming casual listeners into loyal followers who not only stream his tracks but also seek out his live performances. The energy of a crowd that already knows and loves his music creates an electric atmosphere that KABU thrives on. This connection between his wide success in the recording booth to his in-person performances proves that his music is more than just sound—it’s an experience.

The Complex Setup Behind a live Performance

KABU’s passion lies in creating his own shows and shaping his brand as an artist. “Every decision I make—whether it’s about live sound, lighting, or the vibe of the event—is to make my performances stand out.”

“People don’t always realize how much goes into setting up a DJ and live performance,” KABU says. “In most cases, gear is provided by the venue, since I’m often jumping from one gig to another. But for private events and weddings, we bring our own full setup—16" subs, 12" speakers, mixer boards, DJ controllers, microphones, and lighting rigs.”

Sound quality is everything, and every event requires careful sound checks. “We always test different songs to balance the low-end, mids, and highs. We use multiband compression on the master output for a clean, punchy sound, but we don’t mess too much with the original mastering of tracks.”

Lighting is another critical aspect of the show. “I understand what each type of light does, but for bigger shows, I always bring a lighting tech who controls everything via DMX controllers. It makes a huge difference in setting the mood.”

Would KABU Take on Another Major Production Role?

Reflecting on his experience working on the Usher show, KABU acknowledges that it was a defining moment in his career. “Track production is something I love, and working on a show this big was an honor.”

With a growing presence in clubs, private events, and social media, KABU is steadily building a name for himself—not just as a musician and producer, but as an innovator shaping the future of live electronic performances.

However, his main priority remains clear. “Right now, all my energy is going into my artist brand. I want people to come to see me perform, to experience my music firsthand. That’s already happening, and I’m just getting started.”

With a unique blend of technical prowess, cultural influences, and unwavering dedication, KABU is poised to continue his ascent in the electronic music world, captivating audiences with his signature "filmy" style and infectious energy. You can find KABU’s music on Spotify, where he continues to blend Indian Contemporary styles with House music, adapting his sets to create unforgettable experiences for his growing fanbase.

Follow KABU on Spotify.