Page 46 - Rolling Stone - India (December 2019)

A.R. RAHMAN

Rahman. “It’s the most clichéd word in the mark in the world as a creative superpower, While we’re on the topic of collaborations
world but still matters, in every second, and supporting that makes sense to him. and new endeavors, I decide to touch upon
every microsecond.” “The country’s young... so this is the time to something I’ve been getting messaged
He feels that mentorship, by inspiration be here.” about on Twitter since January; would A.R.
or interaction, is about helping trigger A mention of his kids brings us to the Rahman ever collaborate with Korean pop
that search within themselves. For artists, final and perhaps most important kind of superstars BTS? “Why not?” he says, adding
it’s about how you use the title and the mentorship: fatherhood. His 16-year-old that he remembers a
regard you’ve been given to start something son Ameen recently made his debut as a certain video of him
powerful and profound. “In a way I think it’s solo pop artist with the track “Sago” as part talking about K-pop at
all interconnected,” he says. “It’s about what of the Tamil gig series 7UP Madras Gig. His NEXA Music’s launch
you do with that role. You find those gems daughters Khatija and Raheema lent their English e vent in Februar y
everywhere. Like now, I’m working with voices to “Ahimsa,” making their big vocal going viral on desi stan
Bono—being a musician is how he was able debut, and have other projects lined up. “It’s independent Twitter. When I admit
to do so much in Africa.” The Irish rocker like a full-time job, you know, giving your I originally posted the
is known for his campaigning for Africa kids confidence and making them what music has it video he’s talking about,
and co-founding charitable organizations they are,” Rahman says. He learned this he’s really not surprised.
for the same like DATA, EDUN, the ONE while working with legendary Tamil film tough in India. “Of course that was you!”
Campaign, and Product Red. composer Ilaiyaraaja. “His [now famous] he says, raising a slightly
For Rahman personally, doing much more sons Karthik and Yuvan would hang out Bollywood music accusatory finger at
is about finding and nurturing budding with me and with other musicians even at me and then laughing.
the age of seven or eight,” says Rahman. rules the charts,
musicians, creating an environment where “What’s nice is for them
they can learn, collaborate and flourish. “I realized that this man is doing the and even the [BTS] to have a platform
It started way back in 2008 when he right thing, where you introduce the kids on the world stage.” We
established the KM Conservatory in Chennai to [artists.] So then I pulled in Ameen.” music labels talk a little bit more
and now continues with NEXA Music. “It’s The then-six-year-old started his career as about the importance
about using the power of music to do much a playback singer in the Hollywood film putting money of Asian representation
more.” With this project, Rahman also Couples Retreat in 2009. He’s sung for and he reveals that he
hopes to realize in some manner his desire various films since, including the acclaimed behind creating wants to dub 10 of his
to ‘normalize’ music as a career choice. Sachin Tendulkar biopic Sachin: A Billion songs into Japanese
He also feels an urgent need to establish a Dreams and the Rajnikaanth mega-hit and promoting and Korean and work
movement regardless of the result, just so 2.0. “Ameen always comes and whispers, on remaking them with
‘Daddy, I’m scared!’” reveals Rahman with non-film songs
that a precedent is set which instills people’s artists like BTS. It could
faith in music. “Even if it about arguing with a fond laugh. “I tell him that nobody is born are pushing also work vice versa,
the parents, you know. If someone wants to talented. You have to shape it. If you have a where he reinvents one of
be a musician, they can use the example of gig and you sing flat, you’ll be humiliated. them in Hindi their tracks. Rahman is
NEXA Music—that something like this is You must work on it. You should practice always open to new ideas
happening—and the parents might let them and do your homework.” or Punjabi. And and it is perhaps his most
pursue it.” We move on to discussing what he winning trait, the key
It’s about big names like Rahman, wants to explore next and Rahman is full so there is a need reason for his success.
Cerejo and more investing their time and of surprises. He reveals he’s done three When it comes to new
effort into this project that acts as a seal of or four studio sessions with Canadian for a platform to projects in 2020, he
legitimacy. “The middle-class thinking that singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan, hung teases us by saying he
out with and discussed possibly working take indie talent
music will not feed your family, that it’s a bad doesn’t plan anything
profession... [that kind of mindset exists] all on something with American R&B icons and broadcast it. ahead. I ask him instead
around the world. But things are changing Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones and is about what ’s some
rapidly. Because of AI and technology a lot looking at how he can evolve his role as That’s what Nexa good advice he’s gotten
of people might lose jobs or jobs will get a music director. “I’m constantly working which he’d like to pass
reinvented, but creative professionals are for movies and it’s fun,” he says. “But the Music will do. on for people to keep in
going to take off. That’s what I’m hearing.” next level would be working with film mind for the new year,
He explains that young people now are also directors directly.” He explains that in the - Anushka and his answer ties our
more determined to make it in the creative hierarchy of filmmaking, unless it comes entire conversation
fields, and are coming up with new ways to from the top level, a music director can’t Manchanda together neatly. “It
monetize their art. “So getting a creative job really experiment with something new. “If keeps changing,” he says.
will be individualistic and secure. Of course, the director actually heads the project, like “Because whatever it was,
a musician’s job needs more imagination.” Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 it gets dated. But I would
He admits that NEXA Music gave him Hours) for example. I just dealt with him; say you have to practice consciously trying
a glimpse into that hopeful new world. “To I didn’t have to deal with any studios. So to improve yourself... Every day it has to be
find people who have evolved so much—the we were able to do something new. If you something new you’re pushing yourself to
thinking, the writing, the kind of originality. go under studio substructure, they tell you learn. I think that’s good advice. Moving
It’s fascinating to see this generation what to do, how you should sound and… towards something good and learning
becoming so confident.” India is making its that’s too boring.” something new every day.”

46 | Rolling Stone India | December 2019