Recently, Naima had the pleasure of interviewing one of the best up and coming stars on the desi music scene at the moment, Kasanova. He co-produced the hit album Danger and smashed it with his debut album,'The Truth' which featured the mega hit tune 'Ludhiana.'
Naima: What made you who you are? I mean how did it all start for Kasanova?
Kasanova: When I was 7 years old I was living in Peckham, London. In the flat below us was this wicked Jamaican guy who every Sunday would take all his sound systems to an old warehouse for parties. As a kid I used to earn 50p a day helping to carry and set up his kit. That's where my love of music first started.
My music interest really took off when I was living I stoke on Trent, I was about 15 or 16 at the time and I was in a school band called Rap the posy that was where I started making beats and helping out on vocals.
In 1992 we moved back to Manchester and when I was 16 I got my first decks (Technics) and I started to DJ. I started to buy records and I got to some great MC's and Rappers. Within 6 months I did my first set as a DJ. It was at Aquarius in moss side Manchester and all I had was 5 records, it was a wicked set. After that I started to get booked on a weekly basis. It was a great feeling to see my name on the flyers.
I got a computer in 1995 and I was lucky enough to be given Cake Walk, that's when I started to produce my music and also learning about different software packages.
I had a major break in 1997 when Ray Keith heard a drum n bass promo that I'd done, he signed it and released it Emotive records, I got £2500 for it and I never looked back. All I wanted to do with my life was to produce music.
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In 2000, I co-produced the massive hit album DANGER for MC Metz and MC Trix, working along side big artists such as Surinder Rattan and RDB.
After the success of Danger, independent labels started taking me seriously as a producer. So in 2002 I released my debut hit album THE TRUTH. It went straight in to the number 1 slot on the BBC Asian network album chart.
Now at the moment I'm busy building an exclusive syndicate of musicians to work on |
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| future albums and projects. I'm always on the lookout for new talent both musically and vocally. There is so much undiscovered talent that it always gives me a buzz when I find someone new. I've got a lot in pipeline for the future. |
Naima: I know that you co-produced Danger 1, but which tunes was actually your work? I mean which songs did you produce on that album?
Kasanova: I produced the tracks called Needh and Yaar Mil Gaya.
Naima: It must be really exciting, I mean I know Asian music has been around a long time but it is at a higher lever than ever at the moment as some of the best mixes made for a long time are being made. Do you agree?
Kasanova: Yes and No. There seems to be a huge mainstream interest in the Bhangra scene at the moment, providing great opportunities for Asian artists. I feel that the Asian music industry should use this time constructively as we've already proved that our industry can stand on it's own two feet.
Naima: Do you feel that you make your music to express closely to what you are, A British Asian, with their own taste and style?
Kasanova: Yes definitely, my taste and style are my own, influenced by life as a British Asian, which makes me what I am.
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Naima: Having been to your site a noticed those are trying to help others that aren't as advantaged as yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back lad, hehe, but seriously I've seen the images on your site where you are at a children's hospital to brighten up there days, which it top! What would you advise others out their to do their bit and help?
Kasanova: I believe that if you are a fortunate human with a talent you should also try and help others. I would advise everyone to spend an hour a week or an hour a month doing something to give joy to others and not to benefit them. |
Naima: You album, 'The Truth' features your own unique style of music, whose style have you tried to imitate or is it all your own style?
Kasanova: The truth speaks for itself, I'm not an imitator, it all my own style and I think people recognise that.
Naima: What is the reasoning being the name Kasanova?
Kasanova: My nickname is Kasa and my favourite piece of equipment in the studio is a super nova, which makes really phat baselines, so KasaNova seemed to fit me perfectly.
Naima: There seems to be a sudden influx of Asian releasing stuff in the mainstream, will you be following suite?
Kasanova: I would love to be mainstream, I want everyone to know about our music but not at the expense of our culture, I believe in my roots.
Naima: What advise would you give to readers out there who are considering approaching yourself in order to break into the music scene?
Kasanova: Firstly they really need to believe in themselves, you need a lot of determination, a lot of support from your family and don't be put of by setbacks. If anyone sends me a demo I'll listen to it and then I'll call them to tell them what they're doing right and wrong and hopefully help others to become good producers and maybe even work for Opus-Asia records.
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Naima: You are a good friend with Metz & Trix with you three as a trio collectively being known as MKT (M = Metz, K = Kasanova, T = Trix). There have been many MC's come onto the scene since them but to you think the deadly duo is still the best in the business?
Kasanova: I think that is for the fans to decide and not me, I am always looking out for new MC's and singers, there is always someone better out there and I'm always looking out for them. Just because you have hit albums you can't stop trying to improve and make the next album even better. |
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Naima: On you album I liked the intro and outra (which was clips of a radio appearance by MKT), who's idea was it to include that on the album and what was the reasoning behind it?
Kasanova: I wanted to get the fans involved and also to show who spread out across the UK my fans are. I even get emails from around the world, it's the fans that buy the albums and I want to show my appreciation of that. When I do a video that requires a lot of people, I'll be inviting everyone on my fans email list.
Naima: What should we expect from Kasanova in the near future?
Kasanova: I'm recording the new album at the moment. It's got some wicked new singers, male and female, great new MC's again male and female, it'll be released in a few months. The title of the album was only decided a couple of days ago. I think only 8 people know it at the moment but my manager said that I can now tell everyone, it's called New GenerAsian.
Naima: Do you have a final message for the thousands of desitunes4u visitors all over the world?
Kasanova: I want to thank the thousands of fans that have supported me, without you there would be no Kasanova.
Increase the peace
Kasanova
That concludes the interview, firstly a big thanks to Kasanova for taking some time out to do the interview. His next album which he exclusively revealed to you, namely 'New GenerAsian' is gonna smash it bigtime as he's just getting better and better as a producer. Make sure you check out his site as it's one of best desi artists sites on the net and drop him an e-mail as he says your going to get a reply, guaranteed!!
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