Episode Transcript
[00:00:07] Speaker A: Hi, guys, this is Raj Kaur once again on the Rajput podcast and how you all been. So I've still got my mustache because of Movember, so if you would kindly go to my profile and. And sponsor us. So it's for a good cause. It's for men's suicide rates. We want to get them dropped down. And yeah, so if you could sponsor me that. But anyway, let's get to the podcast. I've got a great, great, great guest again today. So I've known this guest for a very long time, but I've actually seen him on Brit Asia Superstar. I think that's maybe the. I've saw him before that, but he, he really made a mark on that show, Brit Asia Superstar. I remember he was like such a good singer at that time and thought, yeah, this guy can sing. And yeah, I'm gonna ask him about that Anyway, as we get into this interview, so. So today I've got none other than be the sky.
Have I pronounced you? What's the say them right, bro.
[00:01:05] Speaker B: Hey, Roger, thank you for having me. It's a pleasure. Mine and obviously we go back as well. I'm liking the mustache. Looking very cool, but look like an ancient.
Yeah, it's a good cause. So you know, all the viewers, please, please, please do, do sponsor and do sport. A good cause.
[00:01:26] Speaker A: Yeah, yeah, I've been, I've been called.
I got a nickname, Pablo Escobar. Because think up on the car now at work, people are calling me Pablo at the moment.
[00:01:37] Speaker B: You look like a gangster one.
[00:01:39] Speaker A: Yeah. You know, from the 80s.
[00:01:43] Speaker B: You need a tuxedo. Yeah. Bus. Good, good, good. Weather's getting cold.
[00:01:54] Speaker A: That's great. So I've got a story about yourself, so I don't know why it's missed my head. So I always, I'm always on the lookout for artists. And this is my bad, really, that I. For some reason you got in contact me, I thought, why didn't I think of you? Because you're such a talented singer, you got such a background in music. Because I get artists, as I'm saying to you off there, I get artists always asking me, saying, did that or can you. Can you have a son? But then I'm thinking, dude, I'm gonna ask you about music, technical stuff, and there's no disrespect, but if you don't know that side. So you're just a singer, you just come off the, off the block. What am I gonna ask you?
At least with yourself, I can ask you about Rags. I can ask you about your routine, you know, playing a vajra and your, your studio experience, you know, you, you got vast amounts of experience. You sat with the T shirt, so. Exactly. Yeah. So, yeah, it's. So I'm so glad that you contacted me and I thought, okay, I don't know why I didn't think of that. So it's just out picture at the moment, but I think because of the interview with Sahara. You got in contact with me, didn't you?
[00:03:01] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah. You know, I actually watched that. I follow, I follow Heavy party. Anyway, he's not just a close friend of mine, close relative of mine. I follow him since. Since I was young. The metal department, it was really, really good.
I thought, you know, obviously they go back as well.
[00:03:23] Speaker A: So let's, let's go back to the start. I know I'm gonna, I'll let you decide how you want to do this, but I know you, you. You're the nephew of a great singer.
Yeah, he's. So tell me how your childhood was being in that environment. Not only that, you've. Because of that, I'm assuming you've been with some of the best singers ever. You've sat down with the best singers ever. So I'm a bit jealous of you, bro. So talk about that.
[00:03:55] Speaker B: No, you know what, I'm blessed to say that obviously when I was young, you know, we've had big, big artists staying, not just popping around to the house, but staying with us, such as their family, obviously, who is.
Then we've got purpose, who is both brothers. They are obviously.
So being around the atmosphere, it's a massive blessing for me. Really, really massive blessing there and such from a young age.
So I, I always had a passion for it. I mean, I spoke about this in many interviews and people have heard this so many times. But I'm, I, I'll always say, you know, thanks to God and thanks to my T and fathers that, you know, I've been around that association, you know, from there. But a passion for music since, since young.
[00:05:20] Speaker A: So is it, is it just your T who sings or was it your dad as well, or.
[00:05:25] Speaker B: No, dad. Dad's just passionate of music and dad, you know, he's. He's heavily involved with listening and you know, he'll always have, you know, he'll always give his import and stuff. But no, he's not a singer, he's not a musician in such.
But yeah, my d. Obviously I followed his footsteps.
[00:05:47] Speaker A: Okay, so what did you. When you were young, when did you actually start your. Your singing? Journey per se or was you just singing?
[00:05:57] Speaker B: You know the.
I used to home along and stuff and you know I, I didn't know I'm going to take this series or anything until I'm gonna say late teens, you know, it was, it was late on the look, I'm gonna, you know, become an artist or a so called artist one day or anything. And then when it becomes late teens, you know, it was one of them, you know, dad used to take me on shows and then obviously to the studios and whatever they just become, I don't know, it's just, it just kind of fit in kind of thing.
[00:06:37] Speaker A: So what was the Mahal like? I'm really interested because for me you've got like one of the most perfect mas that you know, any child would want to grow up with. With legends coming to your house, you sitting as a kid and I got this picture in my head where you're sitting with and your d just jamming and you were sitting. Oh yeah, tell me about that because I'm, I'm fascinated.
[00:07:00] Speaker B: Certainly that's how it was.
You know, obviously when they used to come in the late 80s, the 90s, they, you know, obviously family sort of, you know, family.
But when they used to be sitting during the hours, my cousin brother who is a great tabla artist, you know, me and him used to sit there and from, from my older brother and he, you know, it was just, it was just a different enjoyment was these kids are into music, you know, an artist, I'm gonna be into that, you know, into music especially living in the uk.
But when used to see it, they used to get so happy and I remember them saying okay, you know, they listen to good music, you know, they want to listen, they want to learn, you know, now.
But their personality was absolutely amazing. Obviously meeting so many artists throughout the years from childhood with them, we just had like a personal connection and they were so. I mean everyone says it, you know, whoever you speak to, artists or arm lucky or anyone should interview him. Everyone would say that, oh no, they liked me the favor, they liked me the favorite personality.
But yeah, like I say, asking them questions, you know, and, and getting into the nitty gritty of, of kind of music, you know, it was amazing. Really, really, really good.
[00:09:07] Speaker A: So did you get any like.
[00:09:08] Speaker B: I don't really miss him.
[00:09:10] Speaker A: Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, I can imagine it's a great massive loss. The loss that will. The Punjabi industry would never. Well, music will never recover from to be fair, you know, we'll never, I.
[00:09:22] Speaker B: Mean as we know, unfortunately, music Changes. Yeah, and some good, some bad and you know, but I think the traditional folk music always comes back, you know, other people, but it's never going to be again. It's hard. You know, there's, don't get me wrong, there's a lot, a lot of good talent out there and you know, follow their footsteps. But even when, you know, alongside their co artists or even today, no one could do. No, I think, I think the other.
[00:09:59] Speaker A: Thing was with them is that they had to struggle. We were born here and it's not like a bad thing or a good thing. It's basically we're born here, but they had to really struggle. We've never seen G.B. have we really?
So that's why they have to really, really struggle. And we're, we're fortunate. Well, I don't know whether it's a, is a blessing that we're born here. You know, we've never seen that poverty. But I know that Sadhus Ganderji and many other eyes, they, they've really seen like really been poor at one time. Really poor where they had nothing.
[00:10:39] Speaker B: That's right. That's right. So they started after you start from the bottom, you know where they start there. They both struggle with their brothers.
You know, they used to travel just to get recognized and then you know, that's. I used to play with people like Kuldeep Monarchy and all the great artists, senior artists. What are they struggling? They've certainly done a lot of struggle and certainly their recognition I believe should have been more than it is.
And it was for, for who they are and what they did.
[00:11:28] Speaker A: Absolutely, yeah. 100%. And I think. Why do you think that is?
[00:11:35] Speaker B: I think they were too humble to be honest with you.
I think. J. Humb, is it a positive vibe? I'm not sure, but it was just. They were too honest to put it in, you know, clear they were. There was a very, very honest person.
[00:11:54] Speaker A: And the other thing is like, you know, these days if you want to get really, really big, you have to pack up and move to Mumbai or something. If, you know, if you want to get on that level, you have to actually move. Like was it, was it love Danjua? He actually moved to Mumbai, didn't he? Had a place. That's right. So that's why he was so big. You know, he. They moved to Mumbai.
[00:12:16] Speaker B: They sacrificed a lot.
[00:12:17] Speaker A: Yeah, exactly. So. And he moved into know Mumbai is, is not an easy thing. You know, it's. It's different. Maybe it's different these days, but those days you had to be in the circle, didn't you Hunter?
[00:12:30] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean Mumbai is one of them places, Bolly, Bollywood industry or any, any industry like that, you know, you've got to adapt to these people very, very quick and your own personality changes. I mean again, Sukinder Singh, I've followed Sukinder Singh since a young age. One of my favorite artists and they moved to Bombay, obviously looking up to great Bollywood artists. But the thing is, it's hard to keep that, how can I say it? That personality you brought with to adapt to their moving. It's like, you know, as a Yorkshire lad moving to London, you know, it's very steady here. But London's very quick, quick, quick, quick, get it done kind of thing.
Even, you know, artists such as Mangal Singh Ji, what another great artist who, who went to Bollywood and you know, rised and shined and for Punjabi is a very proud moment. But for them it would have been a very hard struggle but to get there on that platform. Absolutely amazing. Absolutely amazing.
[00:13:35] Speaker A: So let's get back to yourself. So when you were in your teens, you what, how did you start? Did you just say, I'm gonna become a single or did you, were you encouraged by your, your, your dad, your family members? How did that actually start?
[00:13:50] Speaker B: Okay, so basically I was encouraged. Now it wasn't a case of look, I want to release something quiet in the urge. The hence why I released late. I did have, you know, offers from people like Trinder and you know, other producers out there. As a young artist, you know, as a young, when the RDB days were going off and people, you know, these guys heard me and said, oh look, come to the studio, we'll get your truck recorded and get your truck out there. I was never kind of, it didn't, didn't excite me. You know, for me, the, you know, I felt like I'm not ready. Even though it was normal, it's easy to put, you know, track together and just go in the studio. So I put another tune there and there. But no, it wasn't what I wanted.
So yeah, so when I was a young teenager, you know, I listened to good music, you know, even Slamat Ali Kanji, these big, you know, classical artists as well as folk music.
And obviously, you know, listening to Sir Booster Ji and Sukundar Singh and all these good artists.
But it was always, you know, learning good tips, asking the good question, asking the right questions from these artists.
It just became as a hobby, you know, it was like going out there playing football with the lads and, you know, but yeah, just become as a hobby. And then later on I thought, okay. And then getting encouraged by family members that, look, you know, take this further, you know, if you enjoy it. I've had a lot of family support. You know, all my family have supported me since a young age and they still do.
[00:15:47] Speaker A: Hi, guys, this is Raj Khul. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast. If you want to support the rest of my music, if you could go and check me out on Spotify or Lack of Music and add my songs to your playlists if you like them. Thank you.
So how did that transition take place? So I'm assuming you. Your family's encouraging you. So do you approach your Taji for lesson? Who did you learn from from that? At that point?
[00:16:31] Speaker B: I think it was just a natural thing for the next few weeks. So it just became a natural. Kind of like I say, you know, I'll always say thank God that I was blessed around the atmosphere.
But yeah, it was just, you know, it was natural.
[00:17:06] Speaker A: So it was your. In your household, I'm assuming. Just correct me if I'm wrong. So in your household, before you even started singing, you were just doing this practice with your diogee, you were sitting down with them and you were just learning constantly. Is that, Is that correct how you would describe it?
[00:17:24] Speaker B: Yeah, that's. That's the kind of thing, you know, you know, obviously on the harmonium or whatever, then obviously, you know, I'd note my ideas, you know, what I'm learning, or I just go away and d. Gifted me a harmonium at the age of 16 as a gift. It was one of their harmoniums. They had the. Since then, I just love the instrument. I. I do regret that I didn't play any other instruments, you know, and I do regret I. I should have, you know, maybe learned tabla or even other instruments. But harmony was just so close to. Even when I was young, I just used to love the sound of the vaja.
It just. I don't know. There was a next level feeling and vibe when I used to hear. Obviously all instruments are beautiful.
But I always wanted to just.
Obviously these things are.
They're priceless.
[00:18:29] Speaker A: So what did you do? So if you had a lesson, just say, argument's sake. If you were sat with your diogee, what would you do at home? Would you deliberately go and practice or how would you. How would you set that structure? Would you just jam for hours or whatever? We're trying to get a picture. I'm trying to get A picture of my head. What would you. Yeah.
[00:18:49] Speaker B: No, it's just not jump for hours. It just be, you know, like as it says.
So I used to just obviously sit there and, you know, you would say, look, you know, follow me or you try this. And it was just a case of like a natural.
How can I put it?
[00:19:10] Speaker A: Progression.
[00:19:11] Speaker B: Natural progression.
[00:19:13] Speaker A: Yeah. Nice. Okay, so you've. You've started singing at 16. Was it taking lessons? So how did you.
Let me correct. Did you go on Brit Asia before that or did you release before for what happened? For before? I can't remember. No.
[00:19:28] Speaker B: Brit Asia was well after, I think, you know, maybe when I was.
Remember now, but Brit Asia was well after. I think he was pulling when I was about 19, 20.
It was a competition. I think my brother put me forward and he said, look, you know, Brit Asia doing this competition, give it a go. I think it'll be a good shout just to get a bit of recognition and see how it goes. It was a good platform. You know, there was some great judges there and, you know, I really, really did enjoy it. Obviously worked with many people before anyway, such as the. The band which was playing at the time.
I didn't release anything at that point. I recorded, I did studio recordings, I was performing as a side, you know, yoga is.
But I didn't release anything. My release was after Care, they came out in 2011 or 10, which was a single on someone's album and that was my first release for many studio recordings before. So, you know, they've all released tracks from what I can think of, 2004, 2005. So we got it there, which was professionally done but never released for whatever reason.
[00:20:51] Speaker A: What was the. What was. What was the Brit Asia thing like? So did you go there? Was it. Just tell us about the experience of that because I think the audience would love to know what goes on behind the scenes of these. These talent things. What was. Was it daunting? What, you know, what was the process like behind that?
[00:21:08] Speaker B: I think it was pretty easy. I mean, you entered the competition, if I remember correctly, entered the competition, went for an audition, positive feedback all the way through.
But yeah, it was, it was. Was a great platform, I think, you know, obviously for the channel, what they were trying to do as well. I don't think they're doing it anymore, but it, it be great to see if they did. Did that thing again. But it was a great experience. Really, really good experience for youngsters. There was many, many artists on there which have today become professional artists. So I, I Still see now and then on social media or person with a Brit Asia. I remember this person, Asia superstars and some are just come on gone. Which, which had talent as well. But it was just one of them things. You went, you did your audition then I think we did a couple rehearsals and then. And I think, you know, for anyone who wants to get into the industry, you know, find these kind of platforms, especially India, Canada, America, wherever it is. But if someone is doing this kind of organization, I think it's a great platform for someone to put their talent out there.
But yeah, it was a, it was a good buzz. Good buzz.
[00:22:31] Speaker A: I remember seeing you there and you, you were probably because there were singers there but they were like, you know, just normal singers like who had great voices and stuff. But you were a bit more technical than them.
I remember you doing a bit more, a bit more in there and stuff. Your singing style was a bit, bit more technical than, than a lot of the singers on there. And that's not to, you know, everything. There's different types of singing but yours was a bit more technical. So how far did you get? Was it semis you got into there or.
[00:23:00] Speaker B: No, to the finals. Finals, yeah, finals, yeah, it was good. It was good. Live band. We all performed live. There was nothing pre recorded. I know things have changed now when you watch, you know these, these competitions and stuff are pre recorded.
[00:23:17] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:23:17] Speaker B: But everything was live and the judge panel, from what I can remember, Janiji, you know a lot.
I'm a big fan of theirs and to sing in front of these kind of people was absolutely amazing.
[00:23:31] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:23:31] Speaker B: You know, I think the guy who organized it, what I believe he did a good job. Excess base, I think hard. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. He did a great job. You know, all his team, they did a good job. For Asia or whoever was involved at the time or whether Brit Asia was drunk by at the time, they did a good job. It's unfortunate that they didn't take it further and the only, the only negative vibe I had from it after that. They didn't really pick any artists or many artists up to kind of take them further. So I was doing, you know, then I went to record and then I released Caregiver and such other.
I don't know, you know, I don't really get into the nitty gritties of it but you know, I felt like sporting, you know, artists like myself and whoever was on the panels. Like, yeah, look, these guys have actually took it professionally. Let's take these on board. Let's help them and, you know, put their songs out there kind of thing.
I just think, you know, that kind of faded out for whatever reason.
[00:24:40] Speaker A: Yeah, because that's what I was going to say. Like the winner on there on each season, you. You didn't hear from them again, but yet what was promised was a massive. Like, they're gonna have a record label, like an album deal and they're gonna do this. But nothing. I. Unless. Unless I've lost.
Unless I was out of touch. But I don't remember the art artist after that.
[00:25:03] Speaker B: Yeah, he was a great artist himself, I think his name was. But it's like, you know, they promised a few others that look, you know, go away, do your stuff, bring it back to us, we'll always support you kind of thing.
I don't know, it's. Yeah, there's platforms, there's other platforms as well. I mean, I don't know if you want me to name their names, but it's just, it's unfortunate that when you say, you know, they're sporting British artists, are they sporting British artists? Are they, you know, are they sporting the professionals who are trying to. Are not trying to. They're working hard out there, Marble.
That's the main thing. That's what we're doing. Yeah, they are, they really, really sporting UK artists.
You know, there might be a handful and they'll back their top and say, why, yes, we are. We're sporting so and so, we're sports.
But without any reason, you are, you know, you question yourself or even question them, you know, why you're not supporting those guys. But what is it, you know, we're doing wrong or have we upset you in any way? It's just you can't get your head around it. And I know a lot of artists have actually bought this up. I think we've gone into a different conversation. Sorry, buddy.
But, you know, there's, you know, there's. There's like BBC Asia Network, okay? There's only one presenter on there who will always kind of support supporters dips, always sported. You know, every Punjabi is UK eyes, absolutely lovely guy. But I believe it's not as in control BBC Asian Network. Who, whether the producers are or whatever it is, are these guys really supporting us? You know, I've got against them. I think they do a brilliant job for, you know, you, you heard stuff and. But then you think you could, you could do better. Why are you not supporting UK artists? You know, that's, that's my question to these guys.
Is it, you know, is there Some politics, the politics involved in it, or if there's something else they're asking for. It's, it's a big question mark. And a lot of artists are frustrated over this situation.
[00:27:21] Speaker A: Yeah, it's interesting that that happens. And, and I remember there was a change in this, going back to the Brit Asian and, and, and the Z time. At that time, you know, when you did the competition, there was a change where you had Punjabi music or like Hindi music or, you know, Indian in Indian or South Asian music that was promoted on there. Then it switched to like rap. All you hear would hear on there is rap. Not nothing wrong with rap music. But yeah, yeah, I know this Brit Asia where, you know, you, you want, you're expecting like Punjabi, Hindi music or, you know, but that, that was gone.
[00:27:56] Speaker B: You.
[00:27:56] Speaker A: All you heard was on there this, this, this sort of cheap rap music on there, which wasn't even very good.
[00:28:04] Speaker B: To be honest with you. I, I switched off after a while, you know, listening to them kind of channels and whatever. But you're certainly right that I think shortly after, even when I put the channel on or any house members put the channel on, they were playing, you know, mainstream English music and like he says, rap music or whatever. I, There was, there wasn't much element of Punjabi music in there.
But I just don't get why they say they use the word, you know, British.
Are you supporting British Asians? You know, British Punjabi culture again, BBC Asian Network.
But yeah, it's, you know, I'm not being, how can I say I'm not being rude to these guys. They're doing a brilliant job. Obviously, they're doing what they need to do. But my message is, and I'm sure the artist's message is we would like them to support us more, or if anything, a little bit at least.
[00:29:03] Speaker A: Well, I'm gonna, I'm gonna be a bit controversial here. So we looked at the BBC. We're saying that they're doing a great job. But did you know their, their listening figures are declining year upon year?
[00:29:14] Speaker B: Are they okay? I'm not surprised. I'm not surprised.
[00:29:19] Speaker A: Are they doing a good job?
[00:29:22] Speaker B: You know what? You've just hit the nail on the head. Are they doing a good job? Yeah, you know what? You're right. And maybe that's why it is because they're not supporting your locals. You know, where you've got the smaller radio channels, they, they're happy to support you. You know, you've got what you open job or whatever, or any local radio.
It's not hard work with them, with BBC, it's just. You just don't even get an answer back, never mind anything else. You know, I work with local record labels, UK record labels, and, you know, they constantly emailing these guys and they'll say, oh, no, you need team or so. And so in your team, you never hear anything. It's like, you know, are you guys just.
Why? You know, there's a big question mark, I think Apache Indian, he bought this up a few years back, a couple years back, and then it just went all quite. But he did a brilliant job of trying to, you know, making some sound of and saying, look, why is these guys not. Not sporting us? And then they just went all quiet after.
You know, I feel like I'm ranting and raving about it, but if you don't speak, you know.
[00:30:39] Speaker A: But you know what my opinion is, bro?
I. I'm always on the mindset, right, if something's not working, let's do our own thing. That's why this platform's. Every platform, that's why you're on this platform today. There's. Let's make an independent movement, Hannah. It's like before, we used to be tied to the labels. We all do our music independently now.
Yeah, we haven't got the budgets of labels, but, yeah, we still can release our music. I'd rather get our music out there than relying on a label where you're tied in. Because I remember I was going to release my first song, comeback song, Hunter, and it was. I'm not going to mention the label's name, but they wanted. I've written the song, composed it, yet they want to keep all the rights of that song.
The English doesn't work like this.
Why is that Punjabi industry like this?
[00:31:39] Speaker B: Good question.
I don't know. I don't know. You know, I think you're answering your own question, but I think as much as you can do it yourself using the platforms we've got around us, yeah, you know, that's. That's the. That's the best way forward. Yes, it'll be nice for all these guys to sport, but I think you've just got to be a bit savvy and kind of go out there, do your research yourself and just release kind of yourself kind of thing. And you know what? It's. It's. It's becoming a lot of people becoming successful in it anyway, so I think it's just one of them. Open your own shop and don't worry about anybody. Who else else is doing. I'M kind of, you know, just. Just put in the hard work there.
[00:32:25] Speaker A: Exactly. If you got the talent like yourself, people will start noticing themselves, won't they? You know?
[00:32:31] Speaker B: Exactly. Exactly.
[00:32:33] Speaker A: Okay, so let's go. Let's. Let's go. We're often tangent. Let's get back to.
It's all right. This is. This is a. It's like we're sitting at home anyway. So.
[00:32:46] Speaker B: Why are these guys and not, you know, recognized in certain platforms until we don't speak? I think what it is if we keep it insiders and then it's like one of them where, you know, you get, you know, anxiety yourself. But we've got to speak about these kind of things for them people to know as well. And also arm look going to be.
These guys work hard. They should be recognized by xyz.
[00:33:10] Speaker A: Yeah. I mean no one's asking for the. For the moon.
[00:33:14] Speaker B: All.
[00:33:14] Speaker A: All everyone asking is play a track on the mainstream. Let the audience decide if it's good. If it gets a good feedback, then you keep it. Exactly.
You don't put it on there.
[00:33:28] Speaker B: You know, we work hard, we work in the studio day and night, posing and all. We're asking for just something in a bit of return. We're giving you something. Yeah, we're doing it for your guys, we're doing it for your kids, you know, and we're doing it for the culture to. To move forward. Obviously we're UK British artists. That's all we're asking for.
But we can run to rave about this.
Let's see.
[00:33:56] Speaker A: Yeah, we don't want to be a. A radio rant. But anyway, so yeah, back to your music. So you released. Which one was it Care. What was the song called? I can't remember now. It's that long ago.
[00:34:08] Speaker B: That's right.
[00:34:10] Speaker A: How did you. How did that come about?
[00:34:13] Speaker B: That was a guy called Tommy Temptations. Absolutely lovely, lovely guy. He had a passion for producing music. I think he's a DJ today as well. So he got in contact with me. He says, look, I've seen you on Brit Asia XYZ and you know, I want to record your track. So we did it. I think I had a track written. I gave him a few ideas and he liked that one. Unfortunately it was a sad track. So a first track being like a slow sad track. I'm not sure if it was a good idea, but it did well. You know, people liked it.
I'm not sure if the screen's on there. It was actually the 2012.
We released that 2011 sorry, no. 11 we released that track.
[00:35:04] Speaker A: Wow. The thing was the industry was changing at that time because I. I released a few songs at that time, about 2008 and it was becoming from physical to digital.
Did you have CDs changing at that time and you. I got caught out in that period where, you know, you know.
[00:35:29] Speaker B: It was my only CD track.
[00:35:31] Speaker A: Yeah.
[00:35:32] Speaker B: ECD single or horse and great artist on there and it was a mix album. That's the only song of mine which was on a cd. Yeah. And digital platform was just coming through. So you're 100, right? 100 right, buddy?
[00:35:53] Speaker A: Yeah, it's a funny year in it. What do you think is different from. From that era like to now? Because you. You're probably one of the only legacy artists like, you know that. That were caught in like myself as I was caught in between two. Two worlds. Like caught between the physical world. But where you and I probably grown up listening to sohot, you know, bands physical them suddenly. Because a lot of the bands didn't transition to digital very well, did they?
[00:36:20] Speaker B: No, no, no. I mean, obviously they had this mindset that, you know, tapes from. From records to tapes to tapes to CDs. And then this digital thing was just whole new. How is it going to work? Or people are going to buy our music online or they even going to watch it or, you know, are they going to. How is it going to work? But now, I mean, obviously it's become so amazing. You've got so many platforms, you know, you just can't juggle with them at the moment. It's like, okay, you've got your professional platforms such as Spotify, itunes and Amazon Music, which is, you know, amazing. And then you've got your own platforms such as Instagram and TikTok and whatever. YouTube. YouTube become massive then as well. So it's a good thing, obviously, you know, that these platforms are out there and artists like ourselves, we can go out there, put our music out there, you know, whatever we're thinking. Joke is a good composition before recording it, before spending money on it. Asking your audience, asking your fans like, you know, what do you think of this? And that's what actually happened with Yard. So I'm not sure if you remember, but Yadkari was my second release and I actually performed that on Brit Asia. So it's a song I composed and wrote the. Rather than obviously performing there. A lot of producers people says really like that song, you know, but, you know, we want to take it off you xyz.
The Tanks was a very Close friend of mine from many years before. We worked together and I was writing traction for his his previous albums and whatever they Tank said, look, I want Yard Gregi. And I said look, I promised it to a couple other people. He goes, no, I want it there.
A lot of audience obviously YouTube Asia superstars from that competition, you know, this is all who you know, who's this truck by? Where's this truck? Where can we find it? I said look, it's my own track. That's when we released Yi after K on the back of Brit Asia superstars performing it. Then I'm getting good feedback from it.
[00:38:40] Speaker A: No, awesome. So what was that experience like? This is your second track.
Was it in his studio or who studio did you go to record that?
[00:38:50] Speaker B: We recorded that Amit Studio, Fire Tiger Music in Coventry.
In fact I did a lot of work. My lot of starter work was done in his studio and he's great engineer and Tanks produced the truck.
That was actually I recorded the dubbing first I think in before for someone else at Ravi Ball studio or Ravi Ball. This was before British driving.
But then you know we did. We didn't do anything with that version and then like I said, we give it to Tanks and that got released in 2012I believe.
[00:39:33] Speaker A: Oh wow. So what was it like in Ravi Bell Studio? It's like a. Another legend of the game.
[00:39:39] Speaker B: Oh, amazing, amazing. I mean Ravi obviously he was working with massive artists at the time, India artists and uk obviously. He's done a lot of UK Ponga stuff as well. I spent a short time with him but whatever I did, I took a lot of experience from himself as well. But yeah, it was good, it was a good vibe. But for whatever reason we didn't go ahead with that version of track.
You know, I think the record labels Austin talk with it just didn't happen for whatever reason. But yeah, it was a good experience. Good experience and nice guy. Very, very, very attentive.
[00:40:21] Speaker A: Oh, nice. So what track was after that?
[00:40:26] Speaker B: After that we worked in. I think it was recorded in 2014, 15 or something.
So yeah, we worked on Ajamai which was a bit of a different vibe but out of my comfort zone. So, you know everyone saying Lottery, a couple of slow tracks you've done. We want to hear something different.
And that was a feedback I was getting. It wasn't a Bangladesh but it was like a dance track.
So you know, it wasn't your typical or anything like that, but it was what was played at the time.
Unfortunately I didn't release the track how I wanted to release it.
So we did this. Me and 3Q in Deepwaji did it. You know, we released it, we put it out there. But I think it could have been a bigger track. Hmc we got out on there. Punjabi MC Rajpaji, he actually came to the studio, gave some, you know, gave some good tips when we were producing it and when I was recording the track. So yeah, you know, there was some massive, you know, influences that were imported on the track. Well, I think when I took the track, when I released Gantt Looks for that with T series and they heard Ajamai, they was like, we would have took this track on, we would have told you how to do the video. And this truck would have done massive in Delhi, in Mumbai. And it's that kind of vibe. So at the time, even people were saying to me, look, you're not releasing this truck, right? It needs to, it needs this kind of video, it needs to be released in this kind of market. But I think it was just one of them. Look, we need to get something out there. You know, it's been a year or two yard G's been out, we need to get something out there. And Aji was kind of ready and we released it. But I look back and I think, you know what, we should have done it this way and it should have been that way, but we did it that way. But still, you know, a lot of people still enjoyed that track. The Pakistan, any market like that track, whenever I perform that as well. So I don't want, you know, like I say there was, there's positives for negatives, but yeah, it's a good track for me.
[00:42:40] Speaker A: Hi guys, this is Raj K. Thanks so much for listening to the podcast. If you want to support the rest of my music, if you could go and check me out on Spotify on Apple Music and add my songs to your playlist if you like them. Thank you.
Well, it's always a positive because you learn, you learn from it, don't you? So that's in that sense.
[00:43:14] Speaker B: Of course, of course, yeah.
[00:43:17] Speaker A: So how did you get in contact with T series? Did they approach you for the track or.
[00:43:22] Speaker B: No teaser is what a great experience that was. So that was when we worked with Snail K.
So obviously I go back with him and he's a close friend of mine.
So we decided that we're going to go to India and nothing pre planned. We just said we're gonna go to India as a holiday. We actually had a show out there that was the, you know, I Had a show in Delhi and I said, he was out there at the same time. So we had. I met up with B.
We spent a lot of time together. We performed in the Lily and then we recorded again.
Studio.
And we recorded the track. I think it. Okay, let's see what we're gonna do. Take this next step further. Took it to a few record labels. Yeah. You know, had a couple of meetings or whatever. And then T Series, we went to Delhi through Paji's connection and we went there, I believe at the time, you know, also had. They would have had many connections there, but they. They dropped a word in as well. We had a meeting with them.
What experience there? Probably the best experience of my life. You know, we actually went to T Series Studios there. So it's just like a massive factory that, you know, two or three massive, you know, studios. And something happened in there. It was in Nodi and Delhi. There they listened to, obviously, which we mix and mastered. There was no video done for it at the time.
He said, we like the track. Played them all the tracks. This is. Yes, we like this track. Depending on the video, I'll just bring it back to it and we'll take it from there. We then shot the video, you know, a few days later or a week later in Chandigarh, and then gave them the product.
They get on without any bots.
Like I say, can't look. Probably, you know, one of my biggest projects up to date at the moment. They're really, really close to my heart and I really, really enjoyed every experience of it.
[00:45:41] Speaker A: Wow, that's. That's crazy. Did you meet anyone big there, apart from executives at T Series?
[00:45:49] Speaker B: There was a clash. Kev was there. I remember, at the time.
[00:45:52] Speaker A: Really? Wow.
[00:45:55] Speaker B: There's, you know, there's a Bollywood actress there. But for us just to be there at T Series, you know, a record label where we've listened to so many, you know, the anthems and great artists who have worked with T Series. For me to be there was absolutely amazing.
[00:46:15] Speaker A: That's crazy, bro.
I think we might have lost him for a second.
Let me just pause it and we'll get back to it. It's going to put the pause.
Yeah, sorry about that. We just got cut off. A technical. Technical glitch.
So we're back. Anyway, so you were telling us about T Series and. And your. Your. You. You met. You met Bollywood actresses Kalash K and. Yeah, so we'll carry on with that.
[00:46:45] Speaker B: Yeah, absolutely. Like I say, you know, it's amazing experience. Then we took the product to him. We had a meeting, me and Snail Paji. In fact, someone else took as well the, you know, it was probably one of the best experiences I've had in my life. When it's industry there. It was absolutely fantastic with obviously working with T series and again, that publicity of working with obviously established platform, it certainly changes, you know, for. And helps you for, you know, moving forward.
[00:47:28] Speaker A: So in your opinion, you worked with the biggest, like, Indian label in. In.
[00:47:33] Speaker B: In.
[00:47:33] Speaker A: Well, biggest South Asian label in the world. If not the biggest, because. If not the biggest overall because I think it's got the most YouTube subscribers in the world.
T series. What would you experience from working with a label like that and also doing something independently?
What's.
[00:47:52] Speaker B: Certainly takes a lot. Certainly takes a lot of pressure off you, you know, when you're working independently. You know, obviously you. You're promoting most of your stuff yourself or a few other people, but it certainly takes a lot of pressure. They all help. Originally working with or someone who's obviously established and like you say, you know, so many followers and what's. Whatever, but it just certainly, you know, it just makes the product, you know, a bit more strong, if you know what I mean.
[00:48:26] Speaker A: Yeah, it puts that extra gloss on it, doesn't it?
[00:48:29] Speaker B: Exactly, exactly.
[00:48:31] Speaker A: So let's move on. We've actually done like 50 minutes, believe it or not.
Yeah. So I wanted to ask you about recently, your recent track that you had, which I actually. Which is my favorite track of yours. I can't remember the producer, but it's like a garage track. The recent one you did. What was it called?
[00:48:53] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, that's my favorite track of.
[00:48:56] Speaker A: Yours, to be fair. Straight on my playlist. Straight on there, I think. I think it's my personal favorite track of yours.
[00:49:03] Speaker B: Thank you, buddy. Thank you. No, absolutely good. You know, wicked vibe. Shin gc, Shin Hayer, who again, who I've known for many, many years and a great artist, great producer himself.
So we've been in talks for. For a while to do something together. And you know what? That was probably the quickest, easiest, less stressful project I've ever worked with, you know, ever worked the work I've done. And I think that's all. All down to Shinpaji. He just made it happen so easy for me. It was unbelievable.
You know, when it comes to composing, writing, you know, it's. For me, that's easy. Obviously, if you told me to write a track or compose a track on this, you know, as an artist, I find that easy. But it's when you're releasing something, you know, I think, oh, you know, that's the headache.
But why do you produce that track? We wrote it, we did it in a couple of weeks.
I recorded it at Pete Ware's studio. I'm not sure if you're aware of Pete.
[00:50:08] Speaker A: Where is that cove?
[00:50:10] Speaker B: He's actually based in Yorkshire now, but he was based in London. In fact, everybody worked with him a lot. A lot of big artists worked with him. Yeah, Pete again, you know, absolutely amazing experience because the guy is phenomenal how he records the shin. Why do you put me through to Pete? I said, look, you know what, you're from Yorkshire, work with Pete. He's. He's local to you. A little line you. I thought you were still in London. He was actually in Barnsley, which is a close by to us.
And I recorded the track there, composed it the way Shinpaji wanted the track he had in his mind. That's how he did it. Okay. So I would have done it as a typical normal Punjabi song, repeated a couple of times down today or whatever. But while you did some next level, you know, he had, he had some next level vision for it and he made the track sound absolutely fantastical. How he had, you know what he had his mindset on. It did really, really well. Still playing really good. A lot of people showed so much love and sport and opened, I think, you know, opened a different door for me as it's been different to what I've done before.
[00:51:37] Speaker A: No, as I said, I think it's my favorite track of yours. It's like it's torn out.
That's the melody, isn't it?
[00:51:44] Speaker B: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[00:51:46] Speaker A: So I still remember otherwise, you know, you have so much songs in your head. Like, you know, you and I probably listen to so many songs and come in and out, but that one stayed.
That's a complement to the composition, the music, the vocals, the delivery of that song. So that's like your hats off to yourself on that one, bro. Yeah, thank you. Yeah, it does so good. So the other thing, I want to talk to you because it's almost been an hour now before we let we go.
I saw a video recently went viral with you in London somewhere doing G.
How did that come about? Tell us about that.
[00:52:26] Speaker B: So basically it was a Diwali show. Now I was just in London at the time and one of the guys says, oh look, you're in London. Who was know a part of that little clan. And this is, you're in London. Why didn't you pop down to. To near Mayfair.
You know, we've just seen your location. You visited London and we've got kind of a small D show happening here. I think it's becoming a bit of a trend which is really good again, you know, platforms like that, it helps. I think I've seen something with JD and or someone else and you know, it's becoming a bit of a trend, these street parties kind of thing.
So you know, I just went down. I was actually with the family, believe it or not. So even them guys, they loved it and you know, I did a little set and whatever and yeah, so performed again, you know, who showed a lot of love and whatever. They. It was a good vibe. Was a really, really good vibe and you know, to have many people just listening on the street.
You know, obviously we perform at melee and festivals or whatever, but this was obviously central London and you've just got random people from every nationality listening to, to yourself and have to take your selfies or whatever. But yeah, it was a good vibe, really good vibe.
[00:53:50] Speaker A: Don't you find that? Because I, I've done a few shows where I've done similar, like stuff like that. We did New Street Station, you know, under the billboards. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So we were forming for Diwali there last year.
Hands off, right?
Hands down, sorry. Best, best, best show we've done because it was so intimate.
Do you know what I mean? People get to know you and they could, you know, they're that close and you know, dancing to your song. So do you think that's like. Because the vibe for middle sometimes, right, is that it's quite detached unless they know your song is quite detached. Where I find those intimate songs like, like the video I saw with you, people just dancing off and vibing with you. It's like, yeah, you're at a party themselves. So do you think that's a future of. Of gigs?
[00:54:42] Speaker B: You know what? I think it's a good vibe. To be honest with you. I like. He says, you know, you, you're interacting with people just we're normal people and you're interacting with normal people alongside you and you give them that vibe, you know, it was really good and I think it's a good thing for the future as well. Obviously Yumeli are really, really fantastic festivals, you know, for us artists. We go out there, we perform and again, you know, it's for us we just it another way of promoting our culture.
But I think this is a really, really good vibe. As long as you're promoting the right Thing but you know, and we keep it to what we want to promote to.
But yeah, it was a good vibe. Certainly different for me, but I, I didn't know what to expect and when I did it and I thought, you know, this is a good vibe. And like I said, there was. There was many different people there from different nationalities.
[00:55:37] Speaker A: Absolutely. Because we've got like a. We're planning.
This is insider. Insider information. We're planning a whole intimate gig. Gig scene. So we're working on intimate gig where we've got these street. Because we've got the equipment for. For street busking. Huh. So we're planning like that kind of thing. Would love. Love. If you ever. If you're ever in your city, you come and you, you know, you, you come and join us and basically we're doing street vibes. We've got a guitarist, vocals. We're just in that kind of street. So you. Because you've got a lot of those kind of songs, so it'd be great to have you in one of those. So we're, we're planning to do that. I'll keep you in. In informed when we do that. But that's the kind of thing we want to sort of.
Because as I said to you, the mainstream stuff, what we were talking about earlier, it's almost like, you know, they, they. If the mainstream is not helping, we create our own. Our own alternative.
[00:56:34] Speaker B: Of course. Of course.
[00:56:36] Speaker A: Yeah, we want to create our own alternative. See if I can speak properly. But that's always been my thinking, bro. That's the thing with this podcast and you know, and I think that it's like yourself as well. We, if we, if we all aim for that thing, we help each other and you to do this thing. And that's why you're on here, bro. You know, you're great artist and, and. And wish you wish you the best. Yeah. So what. What about the future? What. What's coming up with you?
[00:57:06] Speaker B: Yeah, so and so basically in the next few tracks I've got. In fact Tanks is who I worked, who did Yi. He's actually releasing one of my tracks which was recorded many years back and we had again a lot of good feedback from through social media, a track called Ch and that will be releasing soon after that next year.
Basically I want to work still on singles. A lot of people have said, look, we're waiting for your album to drop.
I'm not sure without them album yet. I just, I think singles kind of keep you in the loop at the moment. But yes, I Do want to drop an album, but it won't be until maybe late next year, but just drop a few more singles early next year.
And you know, you guys have always supported me, so I just want to say thanks, man.
[00:57:58] Speaker A: Absolutely. And I think from a marketing perspective, singles is better reason why, especially with like, more up and coming artists like myself who are emerging, who haven't hit. Hit the jeep size, you know, but because what, what, what you do is if you release an album right, Hunter bang, one month, the hype for the whole album's gone.
[00:58:22] Speaker B: Exactly, exactly. And if you're releasing six tracks and a couple of tracks are getting lost on there. Yeah. For whatever reason because you haven't done any videos on it or whatever, and you just think, you know, you'd rather just put them out of singles and just wait.
[00:58:37] Speaker A: Exactly, bro. You, you could release six tracks in six months and then you've got six months of traction going. So I think, I think you're doing the right thing.
[00:58:47] Speaker B: Wicked. Wicked. No, thanks. Thanks.
[00:58:50] Speaker A: So where can we, where can the audience catch you on socials, bro?
[00:58:56] Speaker B: Yeah, so the pretty norm. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tick tock, you know, but yeah, just, just hit us up on there, you know, I'll always share love back and whatever, but like I say, just stay in tune. We will be releasing soon and I work closely with 3Q Records, as you guys may know.
And. Yeah, so any, any new information I'll always, you know, will always put out there.
[00:59:24] Speaker A: Okay. And just a normal question I, I tend to ask if I remember. So today I've remembered. So the podcast is, is all about in the pursuit of musical excellence.
What does that mean for you as an artist and what advice would you give other artists? How to pursue musical excellence?
[00:59:42] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, look, like I said, I mean, obviously I've, I've trained to do what I do and I'm constantly training. I'll always be learning. But if you've got a passion in music, just as any other hobbies, you've got to consistently do the hours. You've got to, you know, practice and go out there, study what you're doing. I check music, so no music, you know, be around the right atmosphere as well, because that's a massive influence. So make sure that you're working with the right people and just do what you're best at. Whatever you've got inside you, just release it. Use the right platforms, use the right people and put your work out there with your heart and dedication.
[01:00:29] Speaker A: Absolutely, bro. So thank you so much.
[01:00:32] Speaker B: No, thank you for Having me. Roger, thank you. Been a good laugh and I hope I've not said anything to offend anyone. It's nothing personal, but, you know, I just believe that we should support each other. The UK industry, we certainly need to support each other. That's the main thing.
[01:00:50] Speaker A: Absolutely. One last question, because you just reminded me as well, uk, and I will ask a lot of you at UK artists, what's happened to the UK industry in your opinion, before we go, a little bit of extra controversy compared.
[01:01:06] Speaker B: Just what I've just said is it is we need to support each other when. And, you know, we've just had the rant and rave about who we need to support those guys. But as well as that, you know, work around that circle. Work with the producers who's gonna then push you forward. Work with, you know, any. Any artists or whatever who's gonna push you forward. It's not just a money thing. Oh, yeah, you know, you're doing my cover. Just put 200 pound in my account and that's it. I forgot about you. Work with each other. You know, if you. If you want to work with that person or if you're willing to, you know, take a project on, if you think that that project is good, then obviously help that artist, you know, not just as a singer, producer, or someone who does your artwork share, you know, and just support each other so you can obviously all go forward kind of thing.
[01:02:05] Speaker A: Absolutely. 100, bro. So thank you so much, guys. So this is the Rajko podcast. That was this guy.
If you could please follow him, check it out and leave a review on the podcast as well. If you're watching on YouTube, subscribe to the channel, like, and share as well. And yeah, check it out for next time. So I'm gonna hit the stop button and I'll carry on the conversation offer. All right, bless you all.
[01:02:33] Speaker B: Thank you. Thank you.
