Reggae star of the '90s, Apache Indian has a new album, and wants to work more in India
Reggae icon Apache Indian is in town to promote his new album In Ja (Universal Music). Pic/Pradeepâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088Dhivar
ADVERTISEMENT
"I have fond memories of your newspaper. I still have hard copies of the pages carrying stories on me and my work when I had just started," says Steven Kapur, alias Apache Indian sitting inside the swank office of his music label in Bandra. Dressed in red trousers and a blue tee that reads, 'Music is the remedy', the Rap and Reggae icon defies his age.
Apache Indian in Boom Shack-A-Lak
Apache - who caused a revolution by mixing Bhangra with Reggae through tracks like Arranged Marriage and Chok There in the '90s - is about to turn 50, but his joie de vivre is intact. Keeping up with the Rastafarian culture, even his waist-length dreadlocks haven't lost their thickness. The UK-based artiste is in India to promote his new album, In Ja. The album celebrates 25 years of his association with the music label and two decades of being a Reggae star.
Excerpts from an interview:
What keeps you going?
My music and the fans help me. It represents who I am and my roots. Reggae is back in India through the younger generation. They are listening to a lot of Reggae on the Internet.
Why is the album titled In Ja?
Ja is short for Jamaica. This is an out and out Reggae album. I started my career with Reggae and I wanted to pay tribute to the genre and the place where it comes from.
What makes this album different from your earlier ones?
I sang more (laughs). I enjoyed writing the music, experimenting with my voice, which included harmonies. I have pushed myself to sing more.
You have a new set of listeners today. Did that change your approach towards the album?
I do keep them in mind but the basic Reggae beat will never change. I follow bands like Reggae Rajahs and Bombay Bassment from India. Even when you hear Justin Bieber and Drake, you will spot Reggae influences. I want to see more Indian bands tour the world.
What made you stick to Reggae for so many years?
The genre is also about lifestyle, peace, love and respect. People aren't fighting or competing with each other. They want to help and promote harmony.
What would be your advice to aspiring rappers?
If they are mixing Rap and Reggae, they need to understand its origins - Jamaica and America. I was involved with Reggae from an early age because I was born in Birmingham and my nanny was a Jamaican. She raised me till I was five. I was closely associated with that culture.
What are your thoughts on Honey Singh?
Rap is a genre where you can be a flavour and fade out. I believe he had a phase. People have been talking about Badshah these days. Honey had once called me and said that I was his idol. At least, what he did wasn't American Rap or Gangsta Rap.
Why don't we see you work in India any more? You have collaborated with the likes of AR Rahman and Asha Bhosle.
India is a place where you would be asked to do 10 things if you live here. Once you leave, you are out of the picture. Four years ago, I did a track for the Telugu film Iddarammayilatho, with Devi Sri Prasad.
The song, Run Run Run, did well. But I want to work more. I have been in touch with Rahman. I feel proud that we collaborated early in our careers. People still request for No Problem (Love Birds, 1996) at concerts.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
