Glamorous singer and songwriter Amar is back on the music scene with her new and refreshing Indo-Pop album, Show it Off, where she sings exclusively in Hindi to a backdrop of urban R&B beats. CitySaheli had the opportunity to interview this hot pop star to find out more about her new album and her collaboration with the internationally acclaimed superstar – Timbaland!
Indeed, the British Indian pop singer is now known as Timbaland’s “Indian Muse.” She first worked with the producer when she lent her vocals to his song “Bombay” on the 2007 album Shock Value. Other collaborations followed and Amar is now signed to the Timbaland’s record label.
Amar distinctly remembers her first meeting with superstar producer Timbaland. “He’s amazing. He pulled out a bunch of old Hindi records and started to play them,” she recalled. “He’s a big fan of R.D. Burman and really into the Indian style of singing.” “That happened a few years ago. Now I am firmly placed in his orbit.”
It shouldn’t surprise anyone that Timbaland’s influence can be felt throughout Amar’s new album Show It Off. The album also marks something of a coming-of-age for Amar as she leaves behind what she calls the “teenage angst” of her previous work. The importance of her cultural identity is also vital on the new record. Entirely in Hindi, the album has a mix of dance, pop, and ballads.
“It is a very melting pot, second generation kind of album,” Amar explains. “It represents the second generation, those who didn’t grow up in India.”
Two of her favorite tracks are Bombay Billionaire, a duet with Sonu Nigam, and Sajana, which features Shankar Mahadevan of Shankar Ehsaan Loy.
Bombay Billionaire was recorded in (where else) Mumbai. “We were in a studio session and we managed to bag him,” said Amar of Sonu Nigam. “He was messing out with some beats and it gave me the same kind of feel as [the Missy Elliott and Timbaland hit] Get Ur Freak On. It’s a real back and forth between us.”
As for Mahadevan, Amar had been a fan of his work since hearing his song Breathless. “We managed to go meet with him,” said Amar, “And we ended up just singing. Within a few minutes, everyone was up and dancing.” The result was the track Sanjana.
The singer knows how tough it can be to create a unique identity in the South Asian community. The daughter of Punjabi singer Mangal Singh, Amar resisted emphasizing her family musical connections for years.
“I used to be quite firm, I wanted to make my name on my own,” she said. “You know how people get their success from their parents? I didn’t want that at all.”
Father and daughter have however begun working together on this album. Mangal Singh even appears on the track Deewana.
Amar was coy when asked what the future holds. “I’m taking it one day at a time,” she said. She did hint at the possibility of big things in the near future. “I have some mainstream projects coming up, but I don’t think I’m allowed to talk about them yet.”
Sahelis can follow Amar on Twitter @amarmusiconline or visit her official website here.
Preview Bombay Billionaire and Sajana here.
1 Comments For This Post
OMG!!! i love her Bombay song…even played it at my wedding…it is a great song that didn’t get enough radio time i think
OMG!!! i love her Bombay song…even played it at my wedding…it is a great song that didn’t get enough radio time i think
BY Priyanka P on June 21st, 2010 at 4:08 pm