JOIN USLaunched by EMI Records India and director Mohit Suri, ‘Mango Beats’ debut song ‘Akhaan’, featuring the voice of Joga Singh, has become a club banger. Led by DJ Surinder Rattan, the band also comprises rappers Illmatik and Trix. Rattan is a known music producer in the UK music scene with hits to his credit like ‘Kala Kala Munda’ , ‘Tappe 2’, ‘Ambersaria’, ‘Akh Largai’, ‘Yaara Dil Dara’ and the recent ‘Dil De De Dil’.
He has also launched artistes like RDB, Roach Killa and Garry Sandhu. Illmatik broke onto the UK music scene with his smash hit ‘Tere Bina’, whereas Trix is an established rapper from the UK with a string of hits to his credit including ‘Has Has’, ‘Aja Mahi’ and ‘OMG’. In a conversation with Puja Gupta, Rattan talks about how the band was formed, the chemistry between them and more.
How did you guys come together?
We have been working together for years and have a good rapport in the studio as well as on stage. So I decided to rope everyone in to make it a collective through which we can showcase our talents to a bigger (global) audience.
Tell us more about ‘Akhaan’.
One day, sitting at my place, all of us were trying to make a high-energy track which we could perform live. Joga came to my house and further explained exactly what type of a song we wanted to do.
We tried to make it more melodic than the standard ‘bhangra’ tune, cutting out the standard macho topics for simple but effective lyrics.
How would you define your music philosophy?
Innovation and not imitation, that’s the best way to describe our music. Our music is primarily Western in terms of its style and arrangement. I try to fuse Indian elements with the Western ones to bring out a unique sound. Our sound is what defines us.
How’s the chemistry between all of you?
It’s like a family. We have a good relationship with each other. Nobody can hold themselves from sharing anything when we are in the studio and we value each other for that.
How would you differentiate yourself from the other existing bands?
Without a doubt, our sound makes us different. I don’t think there is a collective like us in the market.
How are you going to survive the existing competition?
We would like everyone to be successful in life. I don’t think life is a competition. We respect all artistes and bands. We strongly believe our music sets us apart from others and that’s enough.
Who inspires you?
Artistes like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mohammed Rafi and Dr Dre are our inspiration. Also, when people say they like our songs, it gives us more motivation to produce something better than the previous one.
What are you working on next?
Big things! Lots of new material.