Every single gadget inside Badshah’s bag

When you’re one of India’s most prominent musical forces, your everyday carry isn’t just about style—it’s about sonic survival. Badshah, the hitmaker behind global smashes like ‘DJ Wale Babu’ and ‘Kaala Chashma’, recently gave GQ an exclusive look into the audio gear that keeps his sound pristine and his sanity intact. Opening his daily carry, it’s clear that this is a man who takes his audio seriously. 

AirPods Pro

“These are my secret weapon,” Badshah grins, pulling out the sleek white AirPods. “No matter where you are, all you need to do is plug these in and ignore everyone around you,” he says. It’s a fitting choice—Apple notably featured his track “Voodoo” during the AirPods Pro 2 launch in 2022. For Badshah, the noise cancellation is like having an off switch for the world. 

AirPods Max in Orange

Next comes what Badshah calls something that ‘looks more like a purse’. The AirPods Max in orange may not match his colour preferences, but they’ve earned their place in his rotation. When you’re constantly working with audio, ear fatigue is real. And every once in a while, the large comfortable pair is all the hug your ears need. For a musician, that’s heaven. The purse-like Smart Case might raise eyebrows, but practicality wins out.  

JBL Boombox 3

This is Badshah’s portable party. The singer is self-confessed fan JBL’s boombox line. The JBL Boombox 3 is the speaker he swears by. “I’ve literally walked into concerts with this on my shoulder,” he says hefting out the substantial speaker. The three-way speaker system has become his signature move, creating impromptu celebrations whether he’s in his vanity van or on vacation. 

Custom Ultimate Ears In-Ears

The most personal item in his arsenal comes in the form of custom-moulded in-ear monitors. “These aren’t just earphones—they’re my performance lifeline,” he explains, showing off the unique pieces featuring an image of his mother. “I feel anxiety if I can’t find these before a show. They’re that essential.”