'SUFI IS WHERE I COME FROM AND FOLK IS MY ORIGIN’
Singer Rashmeet Kaur has set her sights beyond Bollywood, and trusts her roots in her search of an original sound
Riding high on the success of Thumkeshwari, her hit single from Bhediya and her new EP Kya Kariye, singer Rashmeet Kaur is planning to meld soulful poetry with her folk roots in her upcoming music.
Three of her songs are currently trending on Instagram. Ask the Punjab-born artiste what the trick behind it is, and she says, “I focus on making it connect with me. Sufi is where I come from and folk is my origin.” This wasn’t what was on her mind when she first came to Mumbai seven years ago as an aspiring playback singer. “YouTube and Instagram weren’t as big then. I wasn’t aiming to go viral. I just wanted my material to be real and different,” Kaur says.
The 28-year-old’s recent single Mor, with rapper Ikka, has struck a chord with the audience. Citing the work of artistes AP Dhillon and Shubh, she stresses that finding one’s own sound is crucial. “They worked on their unique sound, and didn’t think about numbers. They have created different sounds that clicked with the audience. The point is to stay connected to my roots, keep digging up poetry and exploring new sounds,” she says.
The singer gives her everything to her craft. “It is important to spend time with yourself, but at the same time one should collaborate with new artistes. Mera sab karne ka mann karta hai, lekin mai sab nahin kar sakti,” shares Kaur.
Bollywood might have become a bonus now, but the Nadiyon Paar singer looks forward to more work in the industry. “I’d love to sing with people who have ruled the industry for years, so why not? Having said that, it is more about your voice now,” she asserts.
Talking of dream collaborations, the singer expresses her love for the American singer-songwriter John Mayer, adding that she’d love to join hands with rappers Divine and Russ. “I want to perform at Coachella and all the big music festivals. Five years down the line, I want to see myself doing great things. Who knows, I might scoop up a Grammy,” she signs off.