‘I don’t see myself in any rat race’
Kanika Kapoor had to come a long way before she established herself in the Bollywood music industry. But with songs such as ‘Baby doll’ (Ragini MMS 2; 2014), ‘Beat pe booty’ (A Flying Jatt; 2016), Kanika has developed a special niche for herself in the industry. A favourite with music composer duo Meet Bros, Kanika recently launched another single with them titled ‘Nachdi firaangi’. She says, “It’s a fun Punjabi dance song. It’s a song we absolutely love and is very different from what I’ve done with Meet Bros before.”
As popular as Kanika is with music lovers, she hasn’t had a Bollywood release in 2018 yet and even in 2017, she had just three releases, which failed to impress audiences. Ask her if she has slowed down, and she vehemently denies. “I’m in no rush. I don’t see myself in any rat race. I’ve always preferred having few but memorable songs,” says the singer, who is a big hit with live music goers too. So, does she feel that the live music industry has changed for the better today? “It definitely has. Audiences appreciate live music more today. They understand the effort that goes behind putting up live shows. Advancements in technology and better equipment being used today, bring audiences a better live experience,” she says.
Kanika is currently trying to establish herself as a music producer apart from singing songs. She wants to go back to her roots and release more original songs independently. In a time when the general perception is such that women singers are just being signed on to sing hook lines, does Kanika believe that is the reality on ground? “I think that would have probably been the scenario a couple of years ago, but not anymore. In fact, it is a great time in the music industry for both male and female musicians. I see a lot of young and upcoming talent being encouraged too. Back then, songs were written for a particular singer but now the song chooses its singer,” she says.
It is a great time for the music industry for both male and female musicians. I see a lot of young and upcoming talent being encouraged too. KANIKA KAPOOR, SINGER