Recently desitunes4u's very own "Mr Exclusive" Masaeb had the pleasure of interviewing some one person we should all look up to! Mentor of the VR1 family. He originally chatted to Irfan a couple of years back so he's back to give us all the latest on him.
Masaeb: When Irfan interviewed you last, you said you had set up shop in Tanzania, (No, not a corner shop!) and had a number of projects going, such as doing as radio show, producing TV shows, as well as running your own record label! How did that all pan out for you?
The last year or so in Tanzania was hectic! I managed to achieve a fair amount by the time I'd left. The label was well established, I'd built up a huge following around East Africa and people were really into my sound. All in all I had a life changing experience!
Masaeb: Most people may not know that there was, and still is a large desi population down them sides, how big is the desi scene there, and how did you find promoting out there compared to here in England? What kind of vibes were they feeling?
The desi Scene in Tanzania hasn't developed as much as in Kenya, mainly 'cos the populations isn't as big. Saying that, my music was catering mainly towards the African market and the locals loved it. However, I put some desi influence into tracks, which was a new sound for them at the time, and found that the desi crowd started getting really into it. Promotion is a lot easier there as there's less competition and fewer radio stations.
Masaeb: Now I know RDB recently visited Kenya, which was lovely surprise for all the desi people out there, how were they taken and did you manage to pop over to check what was going down (I'm sure you got your Kenya/Tanzania contacts that you bigged up in your message on the voices album inlay!)
Unfortunately I couldn't make it down Nairobi for the gig. I'm sure they loved every minute of it as the Kenya massive are real party animals!
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Masaeb: I understand you also spent a lot of time helping disadvantaged kids while you were out there (living up to the mentor name I guess), which was really heart warming as a lot of our desi stars do not do enough for charity, what exactly did that entail, and how rewarding was that for you personally?
I managed to sign and promote lots of artists who were from disadvantaged backgrounds. I'd have cue of rappers and singers lining up outside the studio every day. Most of them couldn't afford studio fees. I took the talented ones under my wing and gave them successful careers. A lot of them are still making hits out there, doing shows and supporting their families. |
Masaeb: Before we move on, all in all how successful do you think your time was in Tanzania, and what is the current situation with your record label?
My time in Tanzania gave me a whole new outlook on life. My production skills vastly improved and by the time I left I had one of the top studios and records labels in East Africa. I managed to pick up a nomination for Best Producer and one of my artists T.I.D won awards for Best Artist and Best Album at the Tanzania Music Awards 2003. I also managed to learn a lot of Swahili! I sold the studio but am still involved in the label Poa Records, and I'm currently trying to get a distribution deal for the music I made out there. Some material has been licensed to world music labels and I'm currently negotiating deals with companies in places like Japan, South America and the States.
Masaeb: So you're back in the UK, your good mate Rishi Rich is absolutely smashing it these days, did you ever think our boys would be making it big in the mainstream, and do you think we have a future in the mainstream or is this yet another false dawn?
I always had faith in Rishi and the Desi music scene in general. I think there will always be a market as long as we support our boys. What we are seeing at the moment is just the tip of the iceberg!
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Masaeb: I personally think you are probably the still best out and out rapper (note not MC, that's different) in our scene, yet you are so under used, with the desi scene kinda going in the RNB Hip Hop vibe do you think this will change?
Wow! That's a nice comment. I wouldn't consider myself the best rapper around as I've heard some kids coming up who can run circles around me. I've given rapping the back seat for the moment, as I want to concentrate more on production. This is a conscious decision |
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based on the longevity of my career. It's difficult being an artist in the climate of today's market. Saying that, I'll probably lay down some rhymes on forthcoming projects like my solo album. |
Masaeb: What is your current take on the desi music industry as whole right now, what direction do you see it going in?
As long as we have people making good, original music and not sampling other people's songs, I think the desi music scene can be huge. We need to deliver quality product to the masses and show them we're just as capable as anyone else. Our time is now!
Masaeb: What kind of music are you into these days? I mean what are you playing in your car stereo system these days?
It's all about Desi music! I love Jassi Sidhu's Reality Check, DCS, Panjabi MC and Rishi Rich's new stuff. Hip Hop will always be there but there aren't many inspiring artists around at the moment. Most of them are talking about irrelevant issues. I'm also really into African and Classical Indian music.
Masaeb: Do point noh (2point9) have a lot of talent on their books at the moment, tell us a little bit about the newer talent which they are show casing such as Ayesha.
We've got a bubbling little unit developing with various singers, songwriters and producers coming up. Ayesha is a new R&B singer who's currently in the studio working on a few bits. She'll be featuring on some of Rishi's stuff and mine in the future. Veronica, who has been a part of the crew for a long time, is also working on a new album, which will surface in the near future. We're also developing other new talent, which I'm sure you'll be hearing about very soon.
Masaeb: Ok this is a new thing I have come up with, its called word association, I say a word, and I want a quick fire answer, one word if possible if not then one sentence maximum is cool!
a) Audiorec
Still doing their thing.
b) Rishi Rich
Musical Genius!
c) MC's
Getting faster and faster.
d) Don Dee
Lord Have Mercy!
e) Ameet Chana
Slick Brother!
f) Sweet V
Soulful.
g) Club Asia
Sound of our generation.
h) Music Videos
Getting Better.
Masaeb: Ok changing gears a bit, I remember reading a long time ago, about the time when the voices album came out you said in an interview you used to be a bit of a ganda badmash! Now the girls have been begging me to ask you are you spoken for, or still a naughty boy?
Erm…….. I think I'll keep that under wraps!
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Masaeb: Staying with the VR1 flex, do you have any plans to work with the likes of Ameet Chana, Don Dee, and Sweet V, all who are incredibly talented yet we have been starved of their skills?
Chana's still a big part of our group, however due to his acting commitments (Adi Ferreira in Eastenders) he's not recording any new music at the moment. Don Dee is still involved in music, managing a group called M2K who's album I'm producing at the moment. Sweet V is in the |
| studio right now working on more hits. I've already teamed up with her for a couple of tracks, which you should be hearing soon. |
Masaeb: Who do you look up to in the music industry today? Who would you most like to work with?
Jay Sean is an incredible artist. I've submitted a couple of beats for his album and hope to do more work with him in the future. Shin from DCS has always been a favourite of mine plus theirs Jassi Sidhu and Gurdas Maan. I'd love to make a straight up Hip Hop song with Nas. That would be a dream come true.
Masaeb: Totally on a side note, is it true your pal Don Dee finally tied the knot? Can you sort a wedding pictures exclusive, lol?
Dee's gonna be walking up the aisle early next year. We're all really happy for him. Can't wait for the stag night!!!!
Masaeb: Recently you got to produce a remix of Craig David's 'World Filled With Love' Did you actually get to work with Mr Craig David himself? What are his views on the current mainstreams fascination with desi tunes?
Unfortunately, Craig couldn't make it to the studio due to other commitments. I had the vocals sent to me and had a couple of days to work on the track. From what Rishi told me, Craig loves the whole Desi sound and is happy with the love he received from the market.
Masaeb: You have featured in Nitin Sawhney's Rishi Rich remix of the single, namely 'Rainfall.' How was it like to work with him? How do you rate him as an artist?
Nitin Sawhney is incredibly talented. He's not afraid to explore the vast spectrum of world music. I had the pleasure of meeting him on a couple of occasions. He really liked my Hip Hop Mix of "Rainfall" which was on the single. I've got a lot of respect for him.
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Masaeb: I hear you are featuring heavily on Juggy D's album. How do you rate Juggy as a vocalist? What do you think of his dancing?
Juggy's album is gonna be huge! I produced the first single, "Sohniye" along with about four other tracks for the album, which I'm finishing up at the moment. He has the potential to be a great vocalist and his dancing is unique! He should patent his moves!
Masaeb: I've heard that you have a wicked set-up at 2point9, which has helped you create some top |
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tunes recently. What is so good about the set-up you have? How important do you think this factor is in helping you produce quality songs? |
The success of 2point9 is mainly down to our management Billy and Rob. They're very dedicated to their work and have many contacts in the industry. The set-up comprises of three studios, mine, Rishi's and a third studio where we mix down a lot of our stuff. Our management also has their offices there. Were all so close together so communication between us is made easier, which contributes to the overall quality as we all bounce ideas off each other to improve our work.
Masaeb: You last released contribution to the desi scene was a remix on Jassi Sidhu's album. Is their anything else, which we have not mentioned that the Mentor has lined up in the near future that we should know about?
Look out for Juggy D's album, M2K and a possible remix for Timbaland and Magoo. Also, Mentor's first solo album will be hitting the streets some time next year. Watch this space……
Masaeb: Lastly any message for the millions of desitunes4u followers out there?
Thanks for all the love and support. Next year is gonna be large!!! Peace.
That concludes the interview, if you want to contact Mentor yourself simple e-mail him at mentor@musician.org now.
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