‘It was tough to make a place for myself’

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‘It was tough to make a place for myself’

Sunday, 13 January 2019 | Shalini Saksena

‘It was tough to make a place for myself’

As the daughter of music legend Kumar Sanu, SHANNON K has had to work hard to prove that she doesn’t owe her success to her father. SHALINI SAKSENA chats up the 17-year-old

What is the American collaboration for the song, A Long Time, about?

It is a collaboration with Poo Bear. This song means a lot to me since it was an unexpected and surprising experience. I never imagined working with such a great producer at this age. It was truly an honour. I had so much fun and got to learn so many things from him as a songwriter and as an artist. He tested me as well because I didn’t know what I was going to sing till I got to the studio which was new for me. He was so enthusiastic about it that it really helped me to get through the whole process. It was truly one of the best days in my life.

You recently collaborated with Sonu Nigam. What was that about? Was it Bollywood or indie song?

The song — OMT — is teen love song, that is full of love and pure innocence and you would get an insight of what girls/boys do these days when they like someone. It's amazing to collaborate with him. I wrote this song and sent it to him and he liked it. That’s how he came on board. It’s a fusion of American pop and Indian tabla.

Was it tough to be Kumar Sanu’s daughter?

It was quite tough to make a place for myself as people knew me as Kumar Sanu’s daughter. I was always compared to my dad, which I didn’t understand why because we all knew that no one can beat the legend. People also think that the reason why I got famous was only because of my dad. But I want to tell them that I’m struggling like an ordinary kid because I’m in a place where my dad is less known. Yes, if I was working in Bollywood and staying there, it could’ve benefited me. But at the moment that is not true.

Why did you choose singing as a career? You could have been an entrepreneur like your mother.

Music has always been a part of my life and I would always be passionate about it, whether I take music as my career or hobby. I love singing and am very much interested in the artistic field. But I have chosen Psychology for my further studies so I don’t know if I’ll go for that as my profession. Maybe I’m too young to decide right now. I kind of became an entrepreneur after I got signed with a Makeup line, Jewelry line and a Merch line.

How would you define yourself... a singer or a songwriter?

I’m a singer and a songwriter. I write songs whenever I want to express my feelings or experiences. I think I’ll always be writing songs since it gives me peace and it’s the best way to express myself. As a singer I think that I can justify the songs best which I have written. But being a songwriter is my soul and singing the medium to reach out to the audience.

Do you take professional advice from your father?

I always take professional advice from my dad whether it’s about recording or performing or mic techniques or singing techniques. I believe you always learn something new every day. Dad has a vast knowledge about the music so it’s always interesting to learn from him and gain knowledge.

What has been the best advice given to you and by whom?

My father usually advices me to have perseverance and patience because that is the key along with hard work and a positive attitude. There are going be a lot of people who would want to see you fail and would discourage you. My dad says: “You never get anything before the right time and more than what is in your luck and faith.”

What kind of songs do you listen to?

I like to listen old classic songs, maybe even Jazz at times and a little bit of Hip-hop but mostly R&B and Pop.

What’s your inspiration when you compose songs?

My inspiration is usually either my surroundings or something that occurred in my personal life which I want to share it with people. I think God has chosen me and given me the voice and the ability to write music so I should always give my best to create the best and help people with my songs.

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