Over a year ago, I (DJ Dev) wrote an article introducing many of you to the lady known as Deeyah. A number of you would have been wondering whatever happened to the singer I had tipped for big things. Now, in response to the countless e-mail requests, I managed to track down Deeyah for an 'exclusive' interview. Despite the efforts of our very own Desi Gorrah (aka Richard) I managed to convince the boss I was the man for the job! It all took place at Costa Coffee in Central London; this is what went down!

DJ Dev: You write a lot of your own lyrics. What influences you when you are writing your lyrics? Are they based on your own experiences?

Deeyah: Myself, the things that I see. It's mostly personal stuff. The lyrics are so personal, but at the same time they are universal in that everyone can on some level relate to what I'm talking about, you know?

DJ Dev: Right, the single, 'I Saw You' is that coming out soon?

Deeyah: Yes, it's was going to be out on July 5th but it's getting moved back a little bit. A lot of good things are happening you know. I don't wanna kinda just rush it; I want to do it all, basically, and make sure there is enough awareness about it before it comes out.

DJ Dev: Cool, cool, there is quite a bit of Rock influence in the track.

Deeyah: I love Rock, which is kinda funny cos most people think I am just an RnB chick. Which I am, but I have been brought up with Rock, Pop and Hip-hop and my music represents those three elements I would say. Then, obviously, the Indian element kinda 'comes in' on some of the tracks as well, but I don't want to just put it in every track. I am not going to put a bit of 'tabla' or an Indian sample in every track for the sake of it. It has to musically make sense and feel right to me.

DJ Dev: At the moment with the whole Asian thing in the mainstream there is always a danger that you are seen as 'jumping on the bandwagon'?

Deeyah: Well, I have been doing Indian classical music since I was a child. So to me it has never been a bandwagon, and that is why I will not jump on one now and it is basically part of who I am and what I do, it will always kinda be there you know, whether it is fashionable or not.

DJ Dev: Seen, I've been informed you took a bit of training of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan? Deeyah: No not Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, it was Fateh Ali Khan from the Patiala Gharana (School of Music). I did actually meet Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan a couple of times and he wanted us to sing together but I said 'No, I don't want to' because at the time I was too young and I felt I hadn't earned the honour to sit and sing with him. Essentially he gave me his blessing, which obviously meant and still means the world to me, but unfortunately he passed on before I had the pleasure to honour his request. It's just such a shame the world lost that amazing voice. DJ Dev: You started singing from an early age, how old were you when you actually started singing? Deeyah: Seven

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DJ Dev: So you've been through a lot of like, image changes, first in Scandinavia and now to conquer the UK?

Deeyah: No not really. I'm not into "pretend" fake images. I wear what I want and am in charge of how I want to be rather than having people telling me what I should be like, look like or behave like. This is just who I am. As far as Norway, basically, I've done two albums in Norway already. Norway is sort of small with 5 million people in the entire country and London has like eleven, thirteen [million] - to me that's so much. I've always wanted to come to the UK and the US. When I was done promoting my 2nd solo album in Norway, I wanted to progress, and was stuck thinking what can I do? Where can I go? Should I go to the USA? Should I go to London? You know? I was looking at my family as well and they were suggesting it should be London rather than Los Angeles, as then you will be too far away to come back to see us often. So, I bought a one-way ticket to London where I knew nobody. My friends thought I was crazy for doing it but hey…I had to do what I had to do.

DJ Dev: Now, you've got contacts?

Deeyah: Yeah, but that took a long time. I was walking all over the place; I had no idea what were the good areas and the bad areas. Good people, not good people. London is a huge and lonely place when you don't know anyone. But I did get my sh*t together eventually (laughs).

DJ Dev: Your debut single seems to show both your rock and hip-hop influences.

Deeyah: Well, that's one of the reasons why I actually picked that song to be the 1st one, because it kinda represents what the album is about. The album features some tunes, which are more representative of one genre than the other, but they've got the combined influences i.e. rock hip-hop and pop.

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DJ Dev: Do you think there is the danger that by trying to please everyone (by having so many different genres) you end up pleasing no one? Deeyah: I haven't delved into these genres to please anyone cuz you can't please everyone, you just can't. All I wanted to do was an album that I want, an album that represents me. If people like it then 'cool' and if they don't, that's cool too because the most important thing to me was to make an album that I'm proud of and is true to who I am. I don't think I'd be able to live with myself if I tried to please other people, because then if it failed - I've then let other people dictate my life to me, and that, I don't do that! DJ Dev: Will there be any remixes aimed more at the desi people on the single? Deeyah: Yeah, actually there is a 'Badshah Khan' mix. It's track No. 3 on the promo single, and that one is a

bit more desi. It could have been more desi but I decided I liked what Mr. Khan had done with it.

DJ Dev: Who inspires you in the mainstream? Who are your big influences?

Deeyah: Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna were the three big big influences on me, I would say. When I was young I adored these artists and I just wanted to work with the people that they did, so to finally be good enough to do that is extremely cool, you know.

DJ Dev: Are there any big collaborations in your new album?

Deeyah: The album itself is produced by myself and an American producer named Darin Prindle. Then you've got a couple of other guys; there is Kutmasta Kurt, who's done some work with Linkin Park, and a guy called Mixzo, who has worked with Ludacris, Bone Crusher, and David Banner. He mainly works with rappers, so it's kinda rare for him to work with a singer.

DJ Dev: Are there any guest vocalists on the album?

Deeyah: There are a couple of guest vocalists, but I have tried to limit it to people that are up and coming. Like Young Maylay, who is a really dope west coast MC rhymes on a couple of my tracks. Basically, people that are hungry for a platform where they can be heard. Having said that, I will be featuring on other people's albums. I will probably be doing some stuff with people like T-Boz from TLC and some other hip-hop collaborations as well, but that's not going to be on my album coz my album needs to be about me and not anyone else for now. Getting big collaborations is very 'cool' coz it gets you attention but it also kinda takes the attention away in some ways.

DJ Dev: As in you'd be kinda feeding off them? Deeyah: Yeah, you're kinda feeding off them rather than doing your own stuff. I would rather think about collaborations like this on the 2nd album but I didn't want to do it on this album, coz right now I have to establish myself as an artist. Once people get to know me more and the music I make, then collaborations will make more sense to the audience, coz they will already know what I'm about. Right now it could end up more like a favour, which would mean other people doing it for me rather than it being equal. You know, I don't know does that make sense? DJ Dev: Yeah Deeyah: Does it make sense?	Deeyah
DJ Dev: Yeah, we'll find out in good time (Deeyah Laughs).

DJ Dev: Anyways, did you have any additional barriers being a woman AND being Asian?

Deeyah: Yes, yes, basically in general, in the mainstream industry, being a woman in some ways is a big bonus but in other ways it's a big disadvantage. Coz there is a lot of female artists out there, which is definitely an advantage. In some ways, female artists have a better shot than male artists, but in other ways, in terms of control, in terms of being creative and actually being in charge of your own thing (being a woman) makes it harder because a lot of people don't expect a woman to be in control. Oh, and this is the mainstream, I'm not even talking Asian. Even the mainstream doesn't expect you to write your own stuff and produce your own stuff. To not be styled, not be "created" and polished but actually do all that yourself. So, definitely in terms of that. Then obviously, being Asian on top of that can be another (barrier). I've had all kinds of stupid rubbish thrown at me from labels like 'yeah yeah you could be all the Spice Girls rolled into one - you could be 'Curry Spice'' and stuff like 'we need to paint you all blue and put dots all over you' I mean what do you want? Kama sutra? (Puts two fingers up) I'm like 'No, I'm not interested!'

DJ Dev: It's like they are not marketing you for your music.

Deeyah: Exactly! I feel so blessed to be working with people who believe in my music and me rather than expecting some ditsy girl to front and mime at shows and do some sort of Asian minstrel show. I mean I'm actually surprised there aren't more Asian artists in the mainstream in the UK. I know it's happening more and more now, and it's about time but I'm actually surprised it hasn't already happened. That it isn't already a totally normal thing to have Asian people, Asian producers, Asian singers, Asian musicians and brown people that you can actually see. Not people that you hear about (once) in a while but actually see them doing their part. I'm not from here [UK] so I can actually see it from the outside, and to me it looks very strange. I mean in Norway it's more about the artists, I mean, it could be me on the same level as any other mainstream artist basically. But that's not the case over here I think, you know what I mean?

DJ Dev: Here a lot of people are saying it is the 'in' thing in the mainstream at the moment, and after a while the Asian thing will die down again and go back to being underground again.

Deeyah: I hope not! I don't think so; I think people are genuinely into it and that will keep it going. I think more and more Asian artists are stepping up their game a lot as well and they can't really be ignored for too much longer, but I think maybe the UK mainstream needs Asian people who can do what their artists [non-Asian artists] do just as well, if not better than them. As far as Asian flavour in the music - that might be a bit of a fashion that is in now and out tomorrow. It will be back though as the timescales for trends coming back into fashion are getting shorter and shorter, which is good. But, I think their needs to be more brown faces and brown artists in the UK. I mean not just this month; I actually think that is going to happen. It has to; it's only a matter of time I think.

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DJ Dev: All right, so you're 26 now, where do you see yourself in 5 years time? Deeyah: Having my own music company. Having done successful solo albums internationally. I'm an artist but I actually like the business side of things as well. I want to be the female P Diddy, a true entrepreneur. I've been in the music industry for a long time and I have studied it, I've learnt from some of the best people in the US and the UK. It's something I am very interested in, pursuing things within entertainment and within music. I'd like to help other artists with their albums and looking at the business side of things and so on. DJ Dev: So, like producing other people's albums? Deeyah: Yeah, yeah absolutely! Also, establishing and developing new acts, I mean I would love to nurture

new artists as well because as an artist myself, I know what it feels like and know what drives an artist and how an artist works best. I would just love to basically run an artist development division of my own label. One of the first things I would do is sign more female artists and develop them and also make sure they get the best possible support and advice.

DJ Dev: Ok, a lot of girls will see you as a role model, how do you feel about that?

Deeyah: Strange, yeah… very strange, I don't do things to lead people into this direction or that direction because I kinda do my own thing, but I mean obviously if people can take something positive out from me and if it can help them in any way, then I would feel very good! That to me will feel like I've actually done something. Not just oh yeah 'I want to be blinged up, and wanna be all rich and all that.' Which seems to be a huge message and motivation these days. Actually, even in Norway I would get stopped at bus stops and post offices by Asian girls saying 'Thank you, we know it's really been a lot harder for you, but believe it or not it's really made things easier for us, we just wanna thank you.' That right there to me has made it all worthwhile. I don't care about the hard part; it's all good.

DJ Dev: A lot of people say Asian families don't really like their children to get into the music scene.

Deeyah: That's true.

DJ Dev: How have your parents been with you?

Deeyah: My parents have always supported me from day one. My dad has always loved music and I think he even wishes he were a musician himself. He's always loved music. I mean my parents have always been very open and very very supportive. Well, with me and my brother growing up, they have always emphasised the culture more than say religion - For example; our culture, our traditions, our music, our arts and our languages, like Urdu, Hindi, Punjabi, and Pashto (language spoken in the north-west frontier province in Pakistan) etc. Religion they always taught me is a personal thing and between me and my faith, so yeah to answer your question …they have always supported me.

DJ Dev: If you were stranded on a desert Island, what one piece of music would you take with you?

Deeyah: Songs In The Key Of Life by Stevie Wonder

DJ Dev: A few more personal questions, if that's okay? People want to know is Deeyah single, you going to spill the beans?

Deeyah: Yes, yes single single, married to my career (Laughs).

DJ Dev: So you looking or are you too busy with work?

Deeyah: Yeah, just working in the studio non-stop. The last two (years) have just been work and that's it, and yeah single.

DJ Dev: Irfan said you have your name written in Urdu on your website and he wanted to know the reasons behind that.

Deeyah: Just because it looks nice and because it's my name in Urdu…it happens to be my first language.

DJ Dev: You were called Deepika before, right? Deeyah: That is my birth name; I changed it to 'Deeyah', which essentially is the same name and meaning. I changed it, as when some gora people say Deepika it sounds kinda bad, you get me..? It's easier for the non-Asians to say Deeyah. DJ Dev: Yeah. What kind of music are you actually listening to right now? Deeyah: There's tons. Because of what I do I will go into a record store once a month and basically buy most of the music that is out. Even if it's something that I personally don't like, I still like to listen and study it and see if song wise; is it a well-crafted song? Is it well produced? Is it sh** produced? Just for me to learn basically.

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Deeyah: Is there anything on the bhangra scene that is out that I should be listening to?

DJ Dev: At the moment…

Deeyah: People that I have heard that I like are Tigerstyle. I heard a remix that they did of 'In The Club' on the Adil Ray show and I was like wow it's better than the original. I've only heard three of four tracks by Tigerstyle but so far every single track I've liked.

DJ Dev: Yeah, Tigerstyle have got their new Mixtape out.

Deeyah: Yeah, I heard about that is it good?

DJ Dev: Yeah, there is a good mix of tracks on there; there's mixes of mainstream tunes as well as their own bhangra tunes; it's a good Mixtape.

DJ Dev: Dr Zeus is doing well at the moment.

Deeyah: Actually I like him too. I've heard two tracks of his 'Shake What Ya Mama Gave Ya' and 'Kangna.' I just love that track [Kangna] it's so sweet. The singer on it is just amazing; he's so good. I think it's such a shame that 'Shake What Ya Mama Gave Ya' was promoted so badly; I mean not even reaching the Top 40 - the song deserved better than that.

DJ Dev: Yeah, the promotion was a big problem for that song. It just had too many delayed releases. By the time it came out it was an old song. Master Rakesh; he's bringing out an album soon as well.

Deeyah: Oh right, good. That's good.

Deeyah	DJ Dev: Mainstream wise, it's Raghav and Jay Sean who are the main guys. Deeyah: Very good, good luck to them, they are doing very well. Deeyah: The 1st time I heard Raghav was when I heard 'Teri Baaton' and I really really really liked his voice. I have never met him in person, but I really respect him as an artist. Then I get a phone call about a month ago that they are going to put me up against Raghav [On the Bobby and Nihal versus] and I was like of all people why do you have to put me up against him. I was like, of all people why do you have to put me up against somebody that I actually like and listen to. DJ Dev: Is there any chance of a collaboration with either of them?
Deeyah: Probably not, they're busy guys, I'm busy, but you never know in the future. There is nothing in the pipeline though.

DJ Dev: I know you've actually got the same promotional company as Jay [Fnik PR].

Deeyah: Yeah, he's a cool artist. I actually like Rishi Rich as well. I think it has been a long time coming for him.

DJ Dev: Yeah, he's actually done a lot of RnB before the current 'Asian' explosion. He deserves it.

DJ Dev: Anyways, do you have any expectation with your single [I Saw You]. What position in the charts would you be happy with?

Deeyah: I don't know; Top 5 twice (laughs) since it's actually a double A-side. That would make me happy. I mean who charts twice in the top 5 in the same week (laughs again) but, I mean for me this is about an album and not just about a single. Basically I've been working on the album for two years now and it's called 'Plan Of My Own.'

DJ Dev: Plan Of My Own, that's kind of a strong message!

Deeyah: Yeah, well lyrically all of my stuff is very much about believing in yourself. When I listen to the album I go 'wow' as lyrically it's a very positive album. There are not a lot of love songs on the album though.

DJ Dev: Are there going to be any more singles from the album?

Deeyah: Yeah, like I said this first one is gonna be a double A-side with 'I Saw You' and 'Plan Of My Own.' After that, I mean we have already picked like 5 singles. I'm not too sure what order they are going to be in. It's going to be a minimum of 4 singles at least. I mean it's taken me so long to get here and you are not going to get rid of me now that I've started.

DJ Dev: What label are they going to be on?

Deeyah: Brainwash.

DJ Dev: Are they going to be doing the distribution as well? Deeyah: Pinnacle are doing the distribution. The mainstream PR is being done by 'MBC' who do Christina Aguilera, Lenny Kravitz, J-Lo & Madonna. FNIK PR is doing the Asian PR work. DJ Dev: It seems like the Asian media are taking a greater interest at the moment, right? Deeyah: Well, actually yes, but I'm not limiting my exposure to strictly Asian media. For example, I've done 'Top Of The Pops' [The Magazine], I've done a couple interviews for mainstream newspapers 'The Sunday Times', 'The Sunday Express' and 'The Sunday Mail.' I'm doing some interviews for other major publications soon as well. I'm getting it all done ahead

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of the single release, the timing is important.

DJ Dev: So you're just promoting stuff before your single comes out basically?

Deeyah: Yeah

DJ Dev: So it's going to come on mainstream radio and TV stations as well?

Deeyah: Yeah 'MTV' and 'The Box.' All of them.

Deeyah: What do you guys think of like the Adil Ray show? Bobby and Nihal?

DJ Dev: Adil Ray is good, Bobby and Nihal as well, they're good. Bobby and Nihal are more mainstream. Adil Ray is really big on the Asian scene.

Deeyah: He's [Adil Ray] such a good guy. He's been like standing right here from day one, I mean before I even did anything he's like 'I am all here.' He heard a couple of songs and was like 'I'm on board.'

DJ Dev: Yeah, I think I heard about you first on his show.

Deeyah: Yeah, he has given me nothing but love. He's just been a hardcore, hardcore supporter, which is very cool. I got nothing but love and respect for him.

DJ Dev: OK, what do you think about Raje Shwari?

Deeyah: I think it's a shame that she has split from the Timbaland camp. But I've heard so many different stories. I have to give her a lot of credit for having the balls to do what she did. I would probably have done the same thing. I mean I know how a lot of things work in this field. If you are getting taken advantage of, on a business side, then you can't accept that. But then to have the balls to stand up to it. She sounds like a bit of a tough cookie and I love that, I mean that deserves a lot of respect.

DJ Dev: She has got a tune with Beenie Man now.

Deeyah: Yeah, I haven't heard it myself, but a few people have told me about it.

DJ Dev: Irfan has just texted me, he wants to ask what you see as home?

Deeyah: Everywhere. UK is home, the USA is home and Norway is home! It's actually a very good question. Norway feels like home, because my parents are from there. USA feels like home, as musically that is where I have done a lot of stuff. UK is home, because this is where I am staying - where I am living right now.

DJ Dev: What about your original Asian roots?

Deeyah: Well, I wouldn't call any particular part of Asia home because I haven't been there enough but culturally it feels like home. Culturally that is definitely my home.

DJ Dev: Any final words for the readers?

Deeyah: Just a big thanks for all the support so far, and hopefully I'll do all my shahzadis, ranis, and shernis proud.

That concludes the interview, firstly a big thanks to Deeyah for doin the interview. Make sure you check out her website at www.deeyah.com and her label's website at www.brainwashproductions.com. If you want to contact her management then you can e-mail them at info@brainwashproductions.com now!!