Mali in the ‘Dr. Dust’ music video. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Mali dons robes and commands an army of followers as a cult leader in the music video for her latest song “Dr. Dust.”
The Chennai-origin, Mumbai-based artist takes a trippy, dark sonic route—heard first in songs like “Mango Showers” in 2019 and “Age of Limbo” from 2020—with producer Rohan Rajadhyaksha and a video directed by filmmaker Hitaali Dharamsh. The video, set in a seemingly secluded resort, features Mali’s titular character with a scepter in hand surrounded by a coterie of followers, healing circles and bonfire rituals.
A press release for the video notes that the audience is privy to a “sacrificial ceremony,” in which Mali makes way for a successor. It adds, “The narrative explores the cyclical nature of control, identity, blind faith and dependence—underscoring the question: who’s pulling the strings?”
True to the narrative—part cautionary tale, part in on the symbolism—Mali picked fans to feature in the video via social media.
Mali says in a statement that the song was inspired by reading and watching “lots of material related to cults.” She adds, “The more I sat on it, the more I was intrigued by this world where people, especially the young generation, fall prey to these luring cult spaces. It also brings up more relatable questions about controlling relationships in our everyday lives. It is concerning but real, and I felt the need to say something about it. To make it more fun, I even included some of the fans in the video. I really hope that it finds its people like my previous work has!”
Her first single of the year, Mali’s highlights in 2024 included winning Best Indian Act at the MTV European Music Awards as well as performing at SXSW Sydney in Australia.
Watch the video for “Dr. Dust” below.
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