Born on April 6, 2002, in Sri Lanka’s gem capital of Ratnapura, Chamupa Chenuka is a name increasingly associated with quiet transformation in the island’s digital music landscape. Though he left traditional high schooling early, his focus never wavered from what truly moved him—music and the fast-evolving world of technology.
From an early age, music wasn’t merely a hobby—it was heritage. “Growing up, it was always around me,” Chamupa states. His transition into music programming in 2018 came naturally. While others were merely consuming sound, he was decoding it—learning digital production tools and the language of music through both instinct and immersion.
The global lockdown in late 2019 served as a turning point. “The pandemic gave me time and space, even though it was hard,” he says. Rather than retreat, Chamupa accelerated. He immersed himself in intellectual property law and music business fundamentals, taking part in educational programs offered by the University of Pennsylvania and Berklee College of Music. Drawing from these resources and hands-on experience, he began to shape what would become his long-term vision for the industry.
In late 2019, he founded AirXone, an independent label initially rooted in electronic music. As cultural tides shifted and genres began to blend, so did AirXone’s mission—expanding to embrace hip-hop and pop, and becoming a creative haven for both emerging and established Sri Lankan artists. Working with notable acts such as Costa Maarley, Thilina Ruhunage, Radeesh Vandebona, Nalaka Anjana Kumara, and Desawana Music positioned AirXone as more than just a label—it grew into a cultural catalyst and a progressive digital aggregator.
Chamupa’s aspirations stretched further. In the later end of 2020, he joined Serandip Music Group as operations lead. There, he honed his expertise in digital asset management and music business operations, spearheading releases for a roster that included Costa Maarley, MasterD, Ravi Jay, and Drill Team Westnahira. The role sharpened his ability to manage large-scale music projects, placing him at the center of some of the most dynamic movements in the local scene.
By 2021, Chamupa co-founded Bonfire.lk, Sri Lanka’s first digital music distribution platform, built on the shared vision and partnership foundation laid at Serandip. The platform was a bold step forward—democratizing access for independent artists and redefining the local music infrastructure. Bonfire opened doors for acts such as Yohani, Shan Putha, and DJMass, along with hundreds of others, to distribute their work globally at a time when traditional music distribution platforms remained stagnant.
Yet Chamupa is not just a businessman. He’s a creative force. His recent production, “නුඹ මා ලයේ සිටියා“, features Hasindu Bhanuka, Shavindya Kariyawasam, and Azim Ousman. Conceptualized alongside Hasindu, the project reflects Chamupa’s hands-on approach to music—his ability to translate vision into lived experiences.
Now in his twenties, Chamupa Chenuka continues to shape the future of Sri Lankan music with quiet resolve. In an age dominated by noise and fleeting fame, his work stands apart—crafted with intention, driven by purpose, and built to last.
