Raja Kumari admits that it was her exposure to the international market that helped her bag the John Legend track, Keep walking, but says she represented desi musicians when on the job
Raja Kumari and John Legend
From a spate of international collaborations that Indian artistes have recently hit headlines for, Raja Kumari’s project with John Legend is particularly noteworthy. The All of me hitmaker is, after all, among the most powerful forces in the American music circles, and the first black man to achieve the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) status.
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In their latest offering, the American songwriter and Indian rapper make a powerful appeal to individuals, encouraging them to “take bold steps”, and travel a path that’s less-trodden. Kumari minces no words when stating that it was her exposure to the American music scene at the onset of her career that made her the right fit for this project. “[The opportunity] came from my training as a songwriter. I was a published songwriter in America, writing [numbers] for Gwen Stefani, and Iggy Azalea. It was there that I honed my craft as a writer. Being in a room and writing with legends like Timberland was fun and [educational],” she says, but is quick to add that she represented herself as an artiste from India while working on this project. “The emotion that I carried was that I was representing India, and that’s why I wanted to deliver the highest excellence.”
The addictive and hummable track may seem like the result of several months of toil, but it was wrapped up within a span of four hours at a Los Angeles studio. “I felt that I was going back to my roots — I began my career as a vocalist, writing music with revered artistes. When I walked into [his studio], he was humming a song. While I’ve worked with some amazing music superstars, seeing him seated there and [singing] was a unique experience. I knew that we were both there for a reason — to contribute to this song. So, this made me realise how far I have come. It has been a lifetime for me.”
Up in the pipeline is her album, The Bridge — a collection of songs that she worked on during the pandemic. “[The aim is to] bridge the gap between the west and the east. Also, I have changed a lot as an artiste, so the album is also a bridge between who I was, and where I am heading.”
Also Read: Indo-American rapper Raja Kumari collabs with John Legend, says 'had great time jamming with him'
While topics relating to empowerment have so far formed the crux of her music, she is set to give her fans a peek into her personal life. “It will include love songs, and will showcase my softer, feminine side. As I have accomplished things that I hadn’t dreamt of, including leaving the label circuits, and becoming an independent artiste, I am walking in my own power now. This will reflect in my music.”
Genres like RnB, world music, and carnatic hip-hop will be prominent in this album as well. “I have two projects lined up. This album will set the tone for what is to come,” she signs off.
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