One Lovers - God Talks With Arjuna (Album) + 10 Questions

New York artist One Lovers, the musical project of rapper, producer, writer, and engineer Arjun Dhar, returns with his sixth independent album, God Talks With Arjuna. Blending experimental hip hop with jazz influenced production, poetic lyricism and intimate storytelling, the record explores themes of spirituality, identity and self-discovery.

Inspired by Paramahansa Yogananda's text of the same name, the ten track album sees Dhar expand his sound with fuller choruses and more defined song structures while maintaining the raw, self recorded aesthetic that has become a hallmark of his work. Written, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered entirely by Dhar, the project is a deeply personal statement from an artist who continues to carve out his own lane.

A standout moment comes with "Ordinary People," featuring additional vocals from penelope*. The track offers an accessible introduction to the album, balancing reflective songwriting with one of its most fully realised arrangements.

One Lovers sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

It began with writing. I was drawn to language, rhythm, and the way a few carefully chosen words could completely change the atmosphere of a song. Once I started recording as a teenager, music became the place where all of my interests could coexist: poetry, production, storytelling, humor, frustration, and memory. I have been releasing music for more than a decade now, and that initial fascination has never really left. I still approach each song as an opportunity to discover something I could not have expressed in conversation.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

Artists such as billy woods, Earl Sweatshirt, MF DOOM, MIKE, AKAI SOLO, Armand Hammer, and Death Grips have influenced me in different ways. I admire artists who create their own language and build complete worlds around their music rather than simply following what is popular at the moment. I would love to work with MIKE, billy woods, Earl Sweatshirt, AKAI SOLO, and producers or musicians from jazz and experimental backgrounds. I am especially interested in collaborations that feel unexpected but remain emotionally coherent.

3. What projects do you have coming up, and can you give us any information on them?

My sixth digital LP, God Talks With Arjuna, is out now. It is a deeply personal record that brings together abstract hip-hop, layered writing, humor, anxiety, spirituality, and reflection. At the moment, I am focused on allowing the album to develop a life beyond its release date through visuals, press, performances, and thoughtful collaborations. I do not want to rush immediately into announcing another album. I would rather give this project the time and attention it deserves.

4. How would you describe your sound?

I would describe my sound as abstract and experimental hip-hop rooted in lyricism. The production can move between warped soul, jazz, distortion, minimal loops, and more abrasive textures, but the writing is usually what holds everything together. I like songs that feel intimate and slightly unpredictable, where humor can sit beside grief and confidence can exist beside uncertainty. I want the music to reward close listening without losing its immediate emotional impact.

5. What is your proudest moment to date as an artist?

Completing and independently releasing God Talks With Arjuna is probably my proudest moment so far. It represents more than one album to me. It reflects over ten years of recording, releasing music, learning from mistakes, and continuing even when the response was quieter than I had hoped. Finishing a sixth project while still finding new things to say reminded me that longevity itself is an accomplishment. I am also proud whenever someone tells me that a lyric stayed with them, because that connection is ultimately what I am looking for.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Do not confuse visibility with value. Numbers matter within the business, but they are not always an accurate measurement of whether the work is meaningful or whether you are improving. Build a catalogue, learn the administrative side, protect your rights, and become as self-sufficient as possible. At the same time, do not let strategy completely replace curiosity. The industry will constantly encourage you to repeat whatever appears to work, but the most important thing is developing a voice that people cannot easily mistake for somebody else’s.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

DORIS is an artist I have been paying close attention to. There is a looseness and imagination in the music that feels genuinely individual. AKAI SOLO is another artist whose writing and perspective continue to inspire me, and I think listeners should also spend time with Sideshow. All three approach rap with a strong sense of identity and demonstrate how much possibility still exists within independent and experimental hip-hop.

8. What albums are currently in heavy rotation for you?

Recently, I have been returning to GOLLIWOG by billy woods, Burning Desire by MIKE, Some Rap Songs by Earl Sweatshirt, and Shrines by Armand Hammer. Those records all create complete environments rather than feeling like collections of unrelated songs. I tend to revisit albums that reveal more detail over time, especially records where the production and writing seem to challenge one another.

9. What do you like to do when you are not making music?

I write poetry and fiction, read, watch films, and spend a lot of time walking around New York. Writing outside of music helps me approach lyrics differently because I am not always thinking about rhyme, structure, or whether something will fit over a beat. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family and occasionally doing absolutely nothing. Having a life outside of music gives me something real to return to when I begin writing again.

10. Name three things you cannot live without when you are in the studio.

A notebook, a reliable pair of headphones, and enough uninterrupted time to follow an idea before deciding whether it is good or bad. Some of my favorite moments begin as ideas that initially seem awkward or unusable, so I try not to judge them too quickly.