Dear Aditya: How Badshah Used an Alter Ego to Overcome Insecurity and Rule the Music Industry

When Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia became Badshah, it wasn’t just a name change—it was strategy.

Coming from a middle-class family in Delhi, Aditya had self-doubt, insecurities, and no blueprint for becoming one of India’s most successful rappers. Like many artists, he created a stage name—a new version of himself—to step into the world with power.

But in 2024, Badshah dropped Dear Aditya, a heartfelt track where he talks to his younger self. It's honest. Raw. Emotional. It's not just a song. That’s the Becoming—step 10 of our Alter Ego framework.

Why Do People Create Alter Egos?

An alter ego serves as a powerful psychological tool, allowing individuals to embody traits or behaviors they might find challenging to express otherwise. This concept, rooted in the idea of "self-distancing," enables one to step outside their usual self-perceptions and adopt a new, often more empowered, identity. Research indicates that creating an alter ego can help individuals reason more objectively and perform tasks with increased confidence.

Stage names like Eminem's "Slim Shady" or Beyoncé's "Sasha Fierce" aren't just creative choices — they are coping strategies. They help artists manage pressure, build brands, and access parts of themselves they otherwise suppress.

Dear Aditya: Badshah's Evolution From Aditya to Superstar

Born on November 19, 1985, in Delhi, Aditya Prateek Singh Sisodia hailed from a middle-class background. His father was a government officer, and his mother, a teacher. Aditya's early life was steeped in conventional expectations, and he initially pursued civil engineering at Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh. It was during his college years that he was introduced to Punjabi music, igniting his passion for rap and songwriting.

Despite his technical education, Aditya felt a compelling pull towards music. However, the path was fraught with self-doubt and the weight of societal expectations. To bridge the chasm between his introverted nature and the assertive persona required in the music industry, he conceived "Badshah." This alter ego embodied the confidence and flamboyance he aspired to project.

In a candid interview, Badshah reflected on this transformation:

"I think I'm extremely good, seedha saadha. Badshah is like a fantasy—a part of me that's bold, flashy, expressive. I'm pretty boring otherwise." 

This strategic creation of an alter ego allowed Aditya to navigate the complexities of the music industry, transforming from a reserved individual into a commanding presence on stage.

The Strategy Behind “Becoming”

The concept of an alter ego is not exclusive to celebrities. Many individuals adopt different personas to navigate various aspects of life. For instance, a person might be reserved in personal settings but adopt a confident demeanor in professional environments. The key lies in acknowledging and integrating these personas to achieve a balanced self.

Badshah's Journey, Step by Step

(The Alter Ego 10-Step Framework—How Aditya Became Badshah, and then Returned to Himself)

Develop Intent – He didn't want to just make music, he wanted to speak his truth.
Understand Your Evolution – From math classes to mixtapes, his roots shaped his rise.
Embrace Gratitude – In interviews, he credits his family, fans, and faith.
Develop Self-Belief – Before crowds believed in him, he had to believe in himself.
Goal-Setting & Prioritization – Vision boards turned into chartbusters.
Craft an Alter Ego – Badshah was the name, confidence was the armor.
Build New Habits – Discipline, branding, stage performance—he trained like a pro.
Unleash the Alter Ego – Bold lyrics, loud fashion, iconic beats.
Create New Belief Systems – From “log kya kahenge” to “I’m enough.”
Integration & Becoming – In Dear Aditya, both selves speak. The superstar and the child. Side by side.

A Full Circle: Dreams, Open Mics, and Dear Aditya

In recent years, Badshah has been steadily returning to his roots—not just metaphorically, but literally. His album ‘Badshah – He/She/They’ and especially the song ‘Dear Aditya’ are reflective of that shift. But the signs were visible even before that.

He released ‘The Power of Dreams’ in 2020—an album filled with hope, reflection, and a vulnerability rarely seen in mainstream hip-hop. It wasn’t just about big beats and catchy hooks anymore. It was about expressing the Aditya underneath the Badshah. The lyrics became softer, the voice more personal, the tone introspective.

Even more telling: Badshah, the hitmaker who’s performed to sold-out crowds, performed at intimate open mic. And not as Badshah—but as Aditya. No stage name. No persona. Just him. Raw. Nervous. Human.

That, right there, is Step 10 of the Alter Ego framework: Becoming.

Becoming and Integration: When Identities Coexist

In every great Bollywood film, the hero goes on a journey—transforms, fights, wins. But the ending that moves us the most is not the win. It's when they come back home—changed, yes—but complete.

In Swades, Mohan returns home. InTamasha, Ved becomes himself.In Dear Zindagi, Kaira heals, not by escaping, but by embracing.

We love these endings—not because the hero wins, but because the hero returns whole.

Becoming isn’t changing into someone new—it’s learning to be all of you.

You can be confident and vulnerable.
You can love someone deeply and choose not to be with them.
You can be an introvert and rock a stage.

Your different selves aren’t enemies. They’re teammates.

Becoming is not just about success. It’s about discovering all your versions and letting them coexist.

Just like:

You can be deeply in love, and still choose yourself.
You can be introverted, and still speak powerfully on stage.
You can be soft-hearted, and still do fire people if the business demands it.

By addressing “Aditya,” Badshah isn’t discarding Badshah the performer. He’s saying—both matter. He needed the alter ego to break in. And now he needs his inner self to heal, feel, and stay grounded.

He has returned. That’s real becoming.

So What Can You Do?

Think about your own identities. The loud one. The hidden one. The lover. The achiever.The overthinker. The leader.

They don’t have to fight. They can work together.

Here’s how:

Step into your Alter Ego when you need power, performance, or protection.
Return to your core self for love, reflection, and peace.
Practice coexistence. It’s not a flaw—it’s your greatest strength.

Badshah's transformation from Aditya reflects the profound journey of self-discovery and integration. It serves as a testament to the power of embracing all facets of our identity, allowing them to coexist harmoniously.

Badshah made it big with an alter ego.

But his biggest flex? Returning as Aditya.

Because the real win isn’t the fame.

It’s coming home—to yourself.

To Badshah—wishing you all the peace and power in your becoming.

And to everyone else reading—may you return home to yourself, too.