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The award winning, prominent mogul of music D-boy has worked alongside some of the most acclaimed names in the industry, his music is a reflection of perfect production, a successful fusion of different cultures and neck breaking beats! So I catch up with D-boy to get the low down on his music, collaborations, remixes, the future of the scene, and his forthcoming plans…
How did your career in music begin? Has music always been your passion?
Definitely. I was always dissecting popular music and trying to understand it up in my head. Then I started playing the drums for the school band. And finally, completed a diploma in sound engineering.
 With your younger brothers in the music scene too (Mr Shabz and Sef) you must have come from a very musical family! What type of music did you grow up listening to?
R&B, but more referred to as New Jack Swing back in the day. We all loved it as a family
You have worked with and produced for many celebrated artists in the UK like the talented Estelle. What are your thoughts on the UK music scene?
Always exciting. You’d be surprised at how many established international acts get vibes from us UK cats.
Do you think that the way UK music has been produced has a big impact on how well it does globally?
Tough one! But good question! Yes and no...a certain ‘in’ music style, such as this new electro 80’s fusion is going to be more widely accepted because that’s what is hot...however, you never know when a new style is going to break the rules.
What was it like winning the ‘Overall Best Song’ for the British Academy of songwriters and composers?
Amazing! Still hasn’t sunk it. It’s an overall British achievement, so I feel proud as a Brit-Asian musician breaking new ground....I’ll keep it coming!
A lot of your music represents a hybrid of different cultures do you feel that this helps to make it appealable to a wider audience?
Does it appeal to a wider audience? I hope so! I just do what I feel, the rest is down to the ears of the people. I do feel music in general should not be boxed but marketed as just music....but hey...I don’t make the rules, I just break them.
What has been the greatest achievement in your music career so far?
So far? I would say ‘Tu bataja’ simply for the impact is has had on people.
Ok so your album ‘Playback’ is hot! Tell us a bit about it?
It’s a collection of all the music that I am inspired by.....it’s new and refreshing, something for the cars, the jeeps and the home stereo peeps!
Is there anyone in particular you would love to collaborate with?
Ryan Leslie because of his innovation and drive, and Gurdas Mann for his unique voice and soul.
Your track with Des-C ‘Tu Bataja’ did exceptionally well, what was it like working with him?
Des-C is truly a unique individual with so much to offer as an artist. It’s always a very relaxed vibe working with him. We both know how to push one another forward...for the best in music.
 You have recently done a remix of your popular track ‘Nach Ke’ where you have mixed it with a Michael Jackson classic. The remix is called D-Boy Vs MJ (Please don’t stop the bounce) features Swiss and V dubl E and has even been made official! Was this all planned?
None of it was planned! I always want what’s best when i do new music, the remix was done as an exclusive for Bobby’s reproduced show, and it just blew up from there. Then VIP (the label) got a call from DMC to have it on their new compilation...it’s been amazing!
In your track ‘Loveless’ you explore the complex issue of inter-racial relationships. Do you feel that more issues surrounding race should be addressed in music?
Issues around race should be done gently...nobody wants issues to be forced down their throats, hence the saying ‘too much medicine makes you sick’. I tried to produce loveless so that it was more of a soulful way to get the message across. I believe it worked well.
You have worked alongside and collaborated with quite a few artists in the UK Asian music scene. What are your thoughts on the future of the scene?
The scene is good but small, as much as we’d like to believe it is massive. Everyone needs to keep pushing for change, and challenge themselves in music which I feel is not done enough. The future does hold a lot of hot new talent… that I know.
What advice would you give any unsigned acts trying to make it into the UK Asian music scene?
Be who you want to be, but believe it for yourself. Make your sound yours....and keep practicing as it can only make you better.
So what are the future plans for D-Boy? Any new projects/ tracks?
Awww, a lot going on, including a few mainstream projects, playback volume 2, and playback volume 1 launching in India very soon. Also a new video for Des-c for a song I produced for him called ‘Jiska Hasna’ which is such a great feel good summer track and also check out the remix I did with Des-C for Sef’s track ‘Hero’. Summer smashes str8 from D-Boy 2009!
To check out the latest information on D-BOY and hear his latest tracks visit http://www.myspace.com/dboyonline |
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