Rabbi Shergill on how the thriving independent music scene in India is beneficial for newbies, not veterans
Rabbi Shergill
Bullah Ki Jaana hitmaker Rabbi Shergill was in the city recently, performing without a charge for a charity event organised by the Genesis Foundation. As he performed the 2005 chart-topper, we wondered why he doesn't release music often, especially when it's believed that the heyday for independent music is back. But Shergill has a different opinion.
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"I think it's a good time to be an indie artiste if you are starting out. It's not the same for someone who has been in the field for over a decade. It's a good time to be a rookie, not a veteran," says the singer, as he reminisces about the pop music in the '90s, when a song's success was not limited to the number of views and hits it garnered online.
"I grew up in a simple era, where you would hear a hit song on the radio, on streets and in cars. These days, there are so many niches. You see people raving about a song that has over 400 million hits, [but you don't hear it everywhere]. Only YouTube suggests that the song is a hit."
He agrees that he is selective about the work he does. "I am an artiste, and I like to follow my heart. I only do work that gives me joy. My criteria for accepting or rejecting a number depends on its quality. If I don't like it, I won't sing it. The lyrics, melody and composition should be in sync," says the singer, who still holds Bullah Ki Jaana close to his heart. "The song has a two-fold meaning for me. It is my introduction to the world and it contains the essence of Indian spiritual thought. For me, the song is India."
The singer is looking forward to releasing a yet-untitled single. "I am also going to tie up with a digital marketing company because I plan to release a bunch of music videos soon."
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