DIVINE's 'Walking On Water' Premieres as a Landmark Event

Indian rap sensation DIVINE is gearing up to unveil his fifth studio album, titled “Walking On Water”. However, this release is breaking from the typical streaming drop model. Instead, DIVINE is positioning the album launch as a major, must-see premiere event.

The album is set to debut exclusively on the JioHotstar platform on Thursday, December 18, 2025, precisely at 9:00 PM IST. This marks a significant milestone: it is the first time a full studio album from an Indian rapper will be released via an OTT platform before its general availability across other channels.

Redefining the Release Strategy

This move transcends simply selecting a new distribution point; it establishes an entirely new language for music launches. The presentation is being framed as an immersive audiovisual experience, rather than just a collection of tracks.

• The album will be delivered alongside exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and insights into the creative process.

In essence, the rollout is being transformed into a shared, public spectacle, moving far beyond the concept of simply dropping a ‘file into a playlist.’ This strategic shift is designed to maximize engagement and cultural impact.

🎤 The Artist's Perspective

DIVINE himself has described “Walking On Water” as his most personal and ambitious undertaking to date. He views the project as a profound reflection of his identity, both as an individual and as a performing artist. He is actively inviting listeners to tune into the premiere to fully grasp the emotional depth, artistic evolution, and the core spark that ignited the creation of this body of work.

Why This Benefits the Platform

For JioHotstar, this exclusive premiere aligns perfectly with their broader strategy to champion emerging youth culture voices and significantly bolster their music programming. This move is consistent with their previous major hip-hop ventures, such as sponsoring Rolling Loud India. JioHotstar clearly aims to establish itself not just as a destination for viewing content, but as the central hub where cultural moments originate.

Contextualizing DIVINE’s Journey

DIVINE’s previous albums, including “Punya Paap” (2020) and “Gunehgar” (2022), have already served as pivotal growth moments for the Indian rap scene. However, the significance of this current launch lies squarely in its format: treating the album release almost like a cinematic premiere, complete with a specific time, shared anticipation, and a collective audience experience.

This high-profile event introduces a novel dimension to music distribution. It underscores a growing trend where music is increasingly launched as a holistic experience, allowing the artist to build an immersive space defined by meaning rather than competing solely on sheer volume or ubiquity.