Honey Singh tells Shana Maria Verghis that people expect him to behave like a nasty rapper though he’s not inclined towards picking fights during shows. As for obscene lyrics, he’s just using rustic Punjabi lingo. Should we be so hard on himIJ
Its got to do with the date of the album launch — 12.12.12 which sounds satanic. My audience expects me to be nasty and full of angst — something which is typical of a rapper. And what could be more nasty than SatanIJ I like carrying the perennial bad boy image, because people associate and identify with me as that... as long as it pays and clicks... I don’t see anything wrong. Besides looks are deceptive... someone with gentleman-like looks could be hell of a man inside.
All my numbers were chartbusters in 2012. I expect 2013 to be more blockbuster... it’s the films that have made my music reach even the smallest of the villages — ones you never realised existed on the planet ! Though I never wanted to do film music at the first place... I have been taking life as it comes and the Gods have been kind.
Every man who wishes to be successful works hard. But one needs to work smart too. Not to forget the element of luck. I spotted an opportunity and made it big... at that point in time there were only English and a handful of Hindi rappers... and no one was doing Punjabi rap. The beginning of my career was tough. As is the case with any budding artist. I started my career as music composer. Gradually I started appearing in music videos of other artists. Then I decided to come up with an album of my own. As I said, I always believed in myself and my kind of music but never knew there would be so many takers.
Angst and rap are two sides of the same coin. A rapper has to have attitude as well... and the beats have to be racy. That’s what makes it edgy... rap is like a contemporary poem sung fast. As far as obscenity is concerned, I only use language people speak daily... can you think of Punjabi sans any rustic notesIJ I do not have any reason in particular to be angry with the world.
Ha ha ha ha..I am too young for bhajans... but people want to listen to bhajans in rap style... I may be in for it too. But as of now that seems a distant possibility. Moreover, I like to do my own things, my own way and in my own time. This is why I never wanted to do film music. It ties you down to someone else’s brief.
I started my career as a music producer in 2006. My first rap was for Ashok Masti’s Glassi in English and it got the ETC award for best sound. After that, I worked in Raj Brar’s Chandigarh De Nazaare in 2007. I loved the response, and started enjoying the early success of Punjabi rap. Then I was approached by Daljit Dosanjh. This was a big leap. Now, I am being approached by many filmmakers and films have catapulted me to another orbit. The kind of reach that movies give you — not just in India but there are film and film music aficionados abroad as well — is unprecedented.
I am working on various Bollywood projects. Personally, I like stage shows better than recorded music... there you have a direct connect with audience.
That must have been a difference of opinion which got a little vehement and aggressive... just that); I am not the one who’ll pick up a fight during a stage show.
I am what I appear… there are no pretensions whatsoever. I like to things any average Indian would — chill out with friends, go on a holiday, (though I do not have time for it now), catch good music whenever and wherever I can, enjoy good food etc.
DJ Vishal gave me my first formal learning when it comes to music. He has been my mentor and a great inspiration.