Partner, Imaginary Frnds
Ashish Jose is a partner at Imaginary Frnds, a boutique artist management agency known for shaping contemporary Indian talent and global music narratives. He co-manages Hanumankind, one of India’s most prominent and internationally recognised hip-hop artists. With an extensive background spanning creative direction, copywriting, design, and music curation, Ashish has become a key voice in the intersection of music, culture, and brand strategy. Ashish Jose career includes leadership roles across top entertainment companies, programming for major music festivals, and steering India’s leading music conference, all contributing to his reputation as a cultural architect within the industry.
Early Career & Music
Ashish Jose began his career rooted in creativity, first exploring copywriting, visual design, and content development before immersing himself in the live music and events ecosystem. His natural inclination for storytelling and culture-building led him to roles that bridged art and audience, from curating lineups to conceptualising youth-centric branded experiences. These early years helped him develop a holistic view of how artists grow, how audiences connect, and how culture is shaped, setting the stage for his evolution into artist management and strategic entertainment leadership.
Ashish’s entrepreneurial shift came through his passion for building long-term artist journeys. After honing his skills at Only Much Louder (OML), where he worked on marquee festivals like NH7 Weekender and Red Bull BC One and developed brand IPs with YouTube, Levi’s, and Bacardi, he transitioned into strategic leadership roles. As the former Business Head of Create & Collab at TM Ventures, he spearheaded All About Music, India’s premier music conference, turning it into a thriving platform for industry dialogue and collaboration. His move to Imaginary Frnds marked a shift toward boutique, hands-on artist development, building sustainable careers and global pathways for contemporary music talent.
About Imaginary Frnds
Imaginary Frnds is a boutique artist management company focused on nurturing cutting-edge, culturally relevant artists who push boundaries in sound, identity, and artistry. With a philosophy rooted in creativity, experimentation, and global ambition, the agency offers personalised management, branding, creative strategy, and international growth pathways. Ashish’s leadership at Imaginary Frnds reflects a deep commitment to building long-term artist visions grounded in authenticity, innovation, and cultural impact—exemplified through the rise of Hanumankind on the global stage.
Impact & Vision
Ashish’s impact is defined by his ability to connect music, brands, and culture through meaningful storytelling. Ashish Jose champions artist-first development models, builds community-driven IPs, and fosters creative ecosystems that support both emerging and established talent. His vision is to elevate Indian artists to international platforms while continuing to shape cultural conversations within the country. Through Imaginary Frnds, he aims to transform artist management into a creative, strategic, and globally competitive discipline—bridging India’s dynamic music landscape with the world.
