Now when desitunes4u need an exclusive whom do they turn to? Irfan? DJ Dev? Usman? Richard? Naah!! It's must be the main man, the interview specialist, you know I'm talking about the only and only Mr Exclusive, Masaeb. Hunterz became the hunted this week when finally Mr Exclusive caught up with "The Most Wanted" man in the desi scene today. Masaeb joins the Phat Trax mission to crush all competition!
Masaeb: Thanks for joining us today; I know you're very busy so lets get grimey! How did it all begin for you, what kinds of background have you come from? I mean has music always been your life?
Hunterz: My upbringing has been different to that of normal youngsters in this country. I've done nothing else but music so I guess you could say it is my life.
Masaeb: How instrumental have your friends and family been in you becoming and musician/singer?
Hunterz: I couldn't have done it without my family. Their support has been invaluable especially my father who has always encouraged me to do what I wanted and still pushes me to this day.
Masaeb: Now I have heard rumours that you were the man responsible behind most of the production of Stereo Nation's mega hit 'Slave 2 Fusion' which included the hit tracks 'Pyar Ho Gaya' and 'Nachangeh Saari Raath.' I am not going to beat around the bush; do you want to set the record straight on this matter? I mean why did you not get any recognition for it at the time?
Hunterz: I don't agree with that as my name was on the album and people know that my work on it. Taz and the boys appreciated it and we toured worldwide which was amazing. Taz still supports me to the day.
Masaeb: The absolute blockbuster smash and one of our desitunes4u Top 10 albums of 2003, Most Wanted released nearly four years after No Limits. This time round you sang every song and even had the pleasure of having a duet with the great Hans Raj Hans. Why did this release take so long, and secondly would you say your vocal and producing skills have vastly improved since your debut in 1999?
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Hunterz: Was it that long?! I was developing and I wanted to make sure the album was released at the right time. During the 4 years I was also doing a lot of work with Stereo Nation. I'm glad you guys liked it.
As for improving, I'm always learning and will continue to do so each day.
Masaeb: Very quickly, what was it like working with Hans Raj?
Hunterz: Hans Raj Hans is a family member and I've known him from a young age. I'm a big fan and working with him was amazing.
Masaeb: Some of the tracks on the Most Wanted album have a qawali style to |
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them. I know you were lucky enough to meet the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. What were your experiences with the great man? How influential is he on your music and singing? |
Hunterz: Khan Saab was the most influential artist and one of my biggest inspirations. I'm still studying him and will continue to do so. I may be doing a tribute and talks are in motion for this.
Masaeb: Staying with the Most Wanted Album, the video for the super smash "Releh" was a very fresh look and eye-catching video. Now Moviebox are not known for spreading the wealth but it seems that you were highly financed in all sectors this time round, how vital is funding when making an album and videos?
Hunterz: PR is what this business is all about and you need finance to keep the constant quality. Moviebox have always supported me 100%. I want the videos and PR to mirror the blood sweat and tears I have put in to the album.
Masaeb: From being just another pawn on the desi music chessboard, in 2003 you became King over night, what is like to be such a huge star here and back home? Do people treat you differently now that you a super star?
Hunterz: I don't know if people treat me differently but I treat people the way I always have. You should treat people the way you expect to be treated.
Masaeb: You played many gigs and mela's this and last year, what's it like playing front of thousands of people, and what has been you best event you have performed at to date and why?
Hunterz: Nothing beats a live audience. It's difficult to pick a best event but the more people there the better.
Masaeb: How much preparation goes into the live routines, I mean how much do practise the dance moves and songs?
Hunterz: I'm an artist who believes that a performance should be visually correct. I've got team now of dancers and dhol players who have performed a few times with me so the rehearsals are a little easier!
Masaeb: The girls at the office, and Richard (jokes) have been begging me to ask you this, who do you wake up to in the morning? i.e. is anyone sharing your bed with you at the moment?, if no one, who's your ideal girl, or ma…… no! I am not even going their lol! (Please don't kill me!!!!)
Hunterz: My girl!!!
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Masaeb: You've just released Phat Trax volume 1 which also features your brother Ishers who we last heard back in 1999 on 'Teriyan Eh Pyar Nishanian' a song which also didn't get much air play, and some new exciting mc's tell us a little a about this project and the people involved.
Hunterz: Phat Trax is a completely urban orientated album whereas my other work has been focused on an international market. It's for all my fans that regularly asked me when I was going to create such an album.
Phat Trax features my brothers Ishers and |
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Vee and my cousin Chan. These are artist that I've been talking about for a long time and they are now ready to show their quality. Watch out for it! |
Masaeb: On this album, Phat Trax Volume 1, we've seen Hunterz like never before, more urbanised and brought up to date with what's happening around him! How important do you feel it is to move with the times?
Hunterz: I know exactly what's happening around me. The fact that I've decided to launch Phat Trax now doesn't mean that I've not been moving with the times, it's just that the timing was right now. Over the last few years the urban scene has taken off and is now accepted by a larger audience.
Masaeb: I hear Ishers and Vee (your brothers) will be releasing their materials soon, just give us the low down on them as well.
Hunterz: Ishers spent a lot of time abroad studying music and it's exciting to be working with him. He is an exceptional talent. Watch out for his album.
Vee is a child prodigy and the baby of the family. I'm focusing on him and believe me when I say he is vocally on another level. His time has come!
Masaeb: If their was something that you could change about the desi music industry, what would it be and why?
Hunterz: I think artists let themselves down on the final touches of their album and we need to look the mainstream side and learn from it in a lot of departments.
Masaeb: Who do admire the most in the music industry the most and who would you like to work with next? Would you consider a mainstream project?
Hunterz: The late Khan Saab, Vee, Isherz and Chan. There is so much music in our camp. As for the mainstream side I'll do it when the time is right. Watch this space!
Masaeb: What have you got lined up for us in the next few months?
Hunterz: Watch out for my 2nd international album and Phat Trax volume 2.
Masaeb: Finally any message for the desitunes4u massive out there?
Hunterz: Thanks for your support my work and hope you continue to do so. Get into the Phat Trax thing now coz it's here to stay.
That ends the interview, firstly a big thanks to Hunterz for taking some time out to chat to us.
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