When Ms Scandalous released her 1st tune 'Hai Hai' (Garage Mix) over 2 years ago on Panjabi Hit Squads album 'The Streets' it was down as low as track eight… yes track eight in the track listings. As you can read in the album review we picked up on it as 'by far the best track on the album' and we weren't wrong as it is without doubt the tune that caused the most damage on the streets (pun intended). She's been undercover for over 2 years working away on her solo album and now she's ready to finally make her mark. Our 'Mr Exclusive' Masaeb linked up with the desi kudi from London to get the full low-down; here's what went down!
Masaeb: Now the first thing I want to do is, if you don't mind, is put a name to that beautiful face, we all know you're known as Ms Scandalous, but who is the lady behind her?
Ms Scandalous: Come on please don't make me blush. I can't say my real name, all you need to know is S to the C A N D…you know the rest!
Masaeb: Right, now I have to say I was pleasantly surprised to find out that you were desi, tell us a bit about yourself and your roots. I mean, how did it all start for you?
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Ms Scandalous: Yep I'm well and truly Desi and proud. I'm from a normal Panjabi West-London family really and grew up in the one Asian neighbourhood that everyone knows - Southall. A lot of people like to try and shy away from where they are from, but I'm proud of where I from, it's a place that gives me inspiration and has made me who I am. There are a lot of positive things happening now in this area and we need to build on that. This area of West London has produced some of the biggest names in Asian music right now, from Panjabi Hit Squad to Rishi Rich and Jay Sean.
So getting into music and MC-ing happened in my school days. Funnily enough I was at the same school as Panjabi Hit Squad and Juggy D but was obviously a lot younger, but there |
| was a big interest in music around me and I started writing street poetry, and that evolved into free styling and rapping. That led to a weekend job at Metro Music, one of the biggest Asian record shops on Southall Broadway, where I met Panjabi Hit Squad in around the year 2000. |
Masaeb: Have you always wanted to be a singer/MC or did you have other plans?
Ms Scandalous: I always wanted to be involved in music and any other plans are related to that. I have done a degree in Performing Arts so I might consider doing some acting as well as my music in the future, but for the minute it's all about 'Ladies First.'
Masaeb: Being a desi kuri was it hard to convince your family that music was what you wanted to do, were they cool with it all or did they take some persuading?
Ms Scandalous: It did take some convincing, but my family are amazing and have supported me in what I wanted to do. Like most Indian parents they initially wanted me to go into Law or Medicine but once they realised how serious I was then they accepted in and gave me their support. The image of Indian parents not being supportive isn't necessarily true, maybe my family are progressive but I have experienced the opposite.
Masaeb: How did you come up with the name Ms Scandalous?
Ms Scandalous: There's no science behind the name, it just sounded good and just stuck. Like they say Scandal always hits the front pages first so that's what I'm trying to do.
Masaeb: Now I must say, you are incredibly good looking, how much of an advantage is that in the desi music scene for a female new comer?
Ms Scandalous: I told you already don't make me blush! Straight up, image is important and Hit Squad wanted me to come out correct, from the photo-shoot to the video to everything connected to my music and me. What I love about Hit Squad is that they don't cut corners at all - they get in A-list industry professionals to handle all the areas.
The video to 'Aaja Soniya/Spread Love' is a clear example. They hired the director who won a Brit Award for 'Best Video' for So Solid Crew's 21 Seconds. On the day there was a crew of twenty people on the shoot, plus a stylist who dresses nearly all a-list artists and handles Dame Dash's artists in the UK, and a hair and make-up team who have worked with Kylie. These people are straight professional.
The end result of all that was my video being in the Top Ten of MTV Base, a first for an Asian female artist. Thanks to everyone who voted for me. |
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Aaja Soniya/Spread Love Video |
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Masaeb: So how did you get your big break and get into the desi music scene?
Ms Scandalous: The day I signed to Panjabi Hit Squad has almost been written into
folklore by now, but it's actually a true story. I was working behind the counter of Metro Music in Southall and they got me to do an audition on the spot. They saw something that others couldn't see, so obviously that was the biggest turning point in my career so far.
Then signing to Hit Squad's label 'Desi Jam Recordings' was a big moment. Obviously they are signed to Def Jam UK so they have the link there, and the amount of contacts they have is just immense.
Masaeb: In October 2002 you make a dream debut on the PHS version of Hai Hai, you've blown us away with some awesome ragga/MC style lyrics, and you've certainly got a sound of your own, what influenced you to produce this kind of sound, and do you write your own lyrics?
Ms Scandalous: Lyrically I draw from the experience of what is around me, from my perspective as a British-Asian girl. In the new album 'Ladies First' I speak about relationships on 'Gal Sun' and about the problems young Asian people face on 'Don't Rush', which is a track about issues, which affect a lot of girls today. It's all about keeping your focus, staying on the right path and not going off the rails.
Then there are the main party bangers for the clubs, like 'Aaja Soniya' and 'Put Your Hands Up' and Desi slow-jam's like 'Spread Love'. The beats on the album are FIRE, trust me! Panjabi Hit Squad produced the whole album and everyone will see how heavy they are as producers when you hear the beats they come up with!
One thing I want to stress though is that this album isn't about me as an MC jumping on other people's tunes. There are just two tracks featuring Jaspinder Nirula where another Artist takes centre-stage - 'Aaja Soniya' and 'Sajana', the rest are based around my lyrics and what I do.
Masaeb: Is the album just for girls or will guys like it?
Ms Scandalous: Not at all. The album is for everyone, and from the feedback I get I get equal response from both girls and guys, they can both relate to what I do and what I'm speaking about.
Girls relate to the clothes AND the music. On the front cover of 'Ladies First' I'm wearing some very expensive boots that I picked up from Guiseppe Zanotti for the photo shoot, and thankfully I got to keep them! Guys will relate to the beats and some of the things I talk about, from cruising down Southall Broadway in July on 'Summer Breeze' to the issues Rani faces in 'Don't Rush'. Everyone can identify.
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Masaeb: What was it like working with a massive group like the PHS, is it true Mark never smiles, and secondly did you choose what track you featured on, or did the PHS want you specifically for Hai Hai?
Ms Scandalous: Nah... Markie does smile but he's very serious and focused about what he does. You have to remember the guys cover a lot of areas, from having the Award-winning radio shows to producing music and managing Artists. Now they have launched their own label 'Desi Jam' and have signed up some really talented artists, including 'Alyssia' who sings on 'Spread Love' and 'Gal Sun' on my album. Most people thought Hit Squad sampled from the original song, which just shows what an amazing voice she has, and she's only 22 |
| years old from London. Her album's coming later this year and I'll be repaying the favour on that. |
Panjabi Hit Squad are just industry heavyweights and I'm proud to be part of what they are doing. You have to remember that they have been soldiers in the game for years so they are all focused and dedicated. Even though they have achieved a lot so far we all know the best is yet to come, and to me they are the only ones from the Desi scene to really understand the Black music scene and made their in-roads into it, from 1Xtra to Def Jam to even a page in Touch Magazine, they are taking our music forward.
Masaeb: You've been around for almost two years now, but you've only featured on two tracks, and basically that was the same song with only your own lyrics changing, what's your current situation with your career, it seems to be at a stop start stage, which is very disappointing for the likes of Jas Public, seeing as our industry is screaming out for talented people like yourself as it attempts to grab a foot hold in the mainstream. What have you been up to, is it true you are going to be working with some really big names?
Ms Scandalous: Well now is where it all changes 'cause now it's start all the way! The plan after 'Hai Hai' was for me to go undercover for some time till I was totally ready. The big problem in the Asian music scene is that Artists don't know when to step back and take their time, they come out half steppin' and that's not good for our industry.
So we took our time and three years later I'm ready with 'Ladies First'. I'm glad I took some time out and I feel that is reflected in my lyrics.
Masaeb: Who are your favourite artistes in the mainstream and desi music scene right now, and whom would you really like to work with?
Ms Scandalous: In the 'mainstream' if you can call it that, I'm feeling Kano, Mitchell Brothers and Sway Da'Safo. All of them are UK artists and they are totally fresh and British - especially Sway who is the best thing in ages to come through the UK. Panjabi Hit Squad worked with him and Taz on the remix to 'Cowboy Film', called 'Cowboys & Indian's' which, if you ask any real UK Hip-Hop head, was one of the main tunes last year.
In the States I'm feeling a lot of the new Crunk 'n' B artists like Ciara, Brooke Valentine and Amerie's new album is off the hook.
Masaeb: Which Mc's do you rate in the desi scene at the moment?
Ms Scandalous: I'm being really honest here. While I have respect for any Desi sisters who have come out as MC's I haven't heard anyone who has blown me away, or whose level I have to aspire to reach, the game is still there for the taking. We don't yet have our Missy Elliott's or Ms Dynamites but that's all coming. The road in front of me is totally clear so I'm just moving forward.
Masaeb: Now there are already people comparing you to the likes of Missy Elliot and Ms Dynamite, which at this stage I think is probably unfair as I'm sure you'd like to be known for your own style, firstly what does it feel like to be compared to them, and secondly will you follow their lead and sing the lead vocals on a track as well as rap?
Please don't compare me to anyone; I'm just me! Just hear the album and then make comparisons then if you like, but my style is original. I'm not trying to be thuggish or straight-ghetto because that's not what I am. Yeah I'm from a street-level and have seen a lot happen, but I'm feminine, I'm a girl and that comes across in my style.
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Masaeb: The year 2005 has seen the likes of Deeyah, Khadija, Sophie, Gunjan, Veronica and Hard Kaur announce them selves firmly on the map, do you think that 2005 will be the year that females artistes finally get a fair share of the desi music industry?
This year there are a lot more girls coming through and it's looking like it's the Desi girls time to shine right now! Obviously the guys will still be up there but I think everyone wants to see an Asian girl in the Top Ten now.
Masaeb: Do you see yourself working with any mainstream artistes on an English only style project? |
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Ms Scandalous: Since the video went on MTV Base I have had a lot of approaches, I know the guys [Panjabi Hit Squad] are talking to a lot of people right now. I'll have to see what happens there, but for the next six months at least all I'm concerned with is 'Ladies First'. |
Masaeb: Going back to the UK Bhangra scene, what's it like playing in front of thousands of screaming fans?
Ms Scandalous: I love it. And the best thing is seeing the ladies react and supporting what I do. The great thing about making my debut on 'Hai Hai' was that it was such a big tune, and straight away Hit Squad had me performing it in front of thousands of fans... it's still an anthem. My best experience so far was at the Mela's... this year I'm hoping to hit the Mela's in all areas of Britain so get ready for that. And I'll be making my Canada debut on Friday 2nd June at The International Centre, Toronto. It's a huge event - more than 8,000 people expected.
Masaeb: On a serious note, over the last few years we've seen clubs like Zenith close down, Eros, Equinox, and Destiny get severe reprimands, why is there always trouble at desi gigs and do you, like me think that this is driving the female fans away from the bhangra scene, and ultimately this is why they don't want to get into the desi music industry?
I don't think it's true to say that there is always trouble. But I think the Desi club scene has always suffered from a bad boy-to-girl ratio, there have always been fewer girls than guys but now I see that changing. Now there are more female artists coming on stage at these events it's giving the ladies more to relate to on stage so that is already getting more girls to gigs.
Masaeb: Now one area I must address is the fact that you're driving the guys wild with your great voice and great looks, how are you coping with becoming a sex symbol overnight?
Ms Scandalous: Yo that's too much now, nahi comment yaaro!
Masaeb: I'm going to be naughty now and ask you a personal question now so don't beat me up now, are you single?
Ms Scandalous: Yes I am single. Happy?
Masaeb: Finally any message to the desitunes4u massive?
Ms Scandalous: A big THANK-YOU from me to anyone who has supported me
so far or is yet to support me...keep logging onto my site www.ms-scandalous.com for my latest updates and to check my video, and put in your details so I can see where y'all from!
That concludes the interview and a big thank you to Ms Scandalous for taking the time to speak with us. You can get more information on Ms Scandalous at her website at www.ms-scandalous.com plus you can e-mail at scandalous@panjabihitsquad.com.
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