Alobo Naga

Alobo Achümi was born in Kohima, Nagaland, and belongs to the Sümi Naga community. He grew up between Kohima and Dimapur, where he was first exposed to music through church and community life. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2004 and later a Master of Arts in Political Science in 2006, followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Tourism Management in 2007.

Alongside his academic studies, he trained formally in music. He completed Grade 8 in Music with Trinity College London in 2010 and earned a Licentiate in Contemporary Vocals Performance, RSL Level 6, from Rock School London in 2012. He later completed a Master of Divinity in 2022. Before pursuing music full time, he worked briefly in a corporate environment before committing to a career in music.

Alobo formed Alobo Naga & The Band in 2010 in Dimapur. The group quickly built a following for a sound that blended rock, pop and contemporary influences. Their debut album Road of a Thousand Dreams introduced them to a wider audience, and the album Painted Dreams recorded sales of more than 10,000 physical copies and 7,000 digital downloads across platforms including Vodafone, Aircel, Airtel, the Nokia OVI Store and ArtistAloud.com.

In 2012 the band reached a major milestone by winning the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Indian Act, bringing international recognition to their music and to the wider Northeast India scene.

Albums: Road of a Thousand Dreams (2010), Painted Dreams (2010), Chasing Ghost (2015), KINI (2017) and Do You Dare (2024).

Film soundtracks: Beyond, Te Amo, The Anushree Experiment and October.

Selected singles and releases: Kohima Komets Anthem (2012), General Election Theme Song (2013), Laughter & Tears (2013), All We Have Is Now (2014, in collaboration with Grammy nominated producer Tim Palmer), Anthem for North East United FC, Chasing Ghosts (2016), Never Let You Go (from the film October), Ningu Kumtsu (2018), Choro Kupi (2018), Kikimiye Le (2020), Together We Can, also known as Miilikena Hatabo (2020), Last Train (2020), Wolo (2021), My Pomegranate Girl (2021), I Am Yours (2022), North East Olympic Theme Song (2023), Think Northeast Think New (2023), TGIF, Ajukiviu (2024), No Turning Back (2024) and In His Time (2025).

Alobo has performed in more than 1,500 shows across over 20 countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, Kuwait, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Thailand. His international appearances include the Fringe Festival in Scotland, the Military Tattoo Festival in Edinburgh, and concerts in Jakarta and Singapore.

He has opened for and shared the stage with international acts including Hoobastank, MLTR, Jennifer Batten and Petra. In India he has performed at the NH7 Weekender, the Ziro Festival, the Hornbill Festival, Hard Rock Cafe venues, and numerous college and city festivals across the country.

Alongside the band, Alobo has developed a solo career that explores a range of styles and themes. His album KINI (2017) marked a move toward a more experimental and modern sound. His songs often address social themes such as employment, identity and everyday life in Nagaland, and frequently blend English and Nagamese so they connect with both local and wider audiences.

Alobo has contributed music to Hindi cinema, including the films October, Beyond and Te Amo. He has also created official anthems and theme songs, including works for North East United FC, the Kohima Komets and the Nagaland State Election Commission, along with jingles for corporate and film productions. He has collaborated and connected with leading figures from the Indian music and film industries.

Alobo founded Musik-A, the Alobo Naga School of Music, which trains young musicians and develops local talent in Nagaland. He has served as its director since 2015, overseeing operations, marketing, administration and mentorship. In 2026, he was appointed Director of the Northeast Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, where he contributes to the promotion and preservation of the cultural heritage of Northeast India. Earlier, he served as Head of Voice at Mountain Music School between 2011 and 2014, and as Vice President of HN Company between 2008 and 2010.

He also launched The Alobo Naga Show, a digital talk show featuring conversations with personalities from music, politics and entrepreneurship, creating a platform for emerging artists and creative professionals in the region.

Through Musik-A, Alobo sponsors 25 students each year in music and the arts. His community work has included supporting the education of 17 orphans from Bright Morning Star Children Home in Kohima in 2013 and 2014, and 16 students from Ebenezer Orphanage Home in Dimapur in 2018.

He has raised relief funds for victims of the Nepal and Manipur earthquakes, supported cleft palate surgeries for children in Mon district, contributed to healthcare and cancer support initiatives, and assisted children affected by the Rengma and Karbi conflict, among several other humanitarian efforts.

n recent years Alobo has continued to release new music and take part in cultural events. His EP Do You Dare marked a return to collaborative band projects, and he has remained involved in initiatives connected to events such as the Hornbill Festival. In 2023 he became the first Naga to speak at a TEDx event, and in 2025 he took part in a Spotify-facilitated industry event in New Delhi alongside representatives from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry of Culture and Prasar Bharati. In 2026, he was appointed Director of the Northeast Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur, a cultural institution under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The same year, he was named the Face of NE Influence at the Who’s Next Influencer Awards India.

Alobo Naga married Kiniholi Jakha in 2022. He is based in Dimapur, where he runs his music school and continues his creative work. Over the years he has received several honours for his contribution to music, including state level awards and national recognition for his achievements in India’s independent music scene.