‘I use music to raise my mum’s spirits’
NAUGHTY BOY ON HIS NEW ALBUM AND BEING HIS MOTHER’S CARER
AWARD-WINNING record producer Naughty Boy has appealed to Eastern Eye readers to help him on a new Asian-inspired track for his much-anticipated new album, due out later this year.
The musician – real name is Shahid Khan – is known for his collaborations with stars such as Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Emeli Sandé. He said he is keen to incorporate more south Asian influence into his work.
In an interview with Eastern Eye, he said: “I’m working on my first Asian club record and I’m thinking about which Bollywood singer should feature on it. If any Eastern Eye readers have any ideas about who they would like to see on a Naughty Boy Asian song, then feel free to make some suggestions.”
This will not be the first time that south Asia has an influence of Naughty Boy’s music, however. Previously, Pakistani musician Rahat Fateh Ali Khan featured on his 2018 release Bungee Jumpin’.
“Bungee Jumpin’ had an east meets west vibe, with Asian and English lyrics,” the BritishPakistani star explained. “But for my new album, I want (a song) to be entirely in Urdu and Hindi.
“It’s the last song I need to complete (for the album) and I’m so excited for it.”
Ahead of the album release in December, Naughty Boy has plans to release two singles this summer. The two tracks will feature UK rappers Jaykae, Mist and American singer Harloe. Although the vocals were recorded prior to lockdown, Naughty Boy has been working hard to get the songs finished, he revealed.
He has a studio set up in a shed in his front garden at his London home.
Naughty Boy admitted it was challenging initially making music during lockdown. His mother Zahida, who suffers with vascular dementia, lives with her musician son so he can take care of her. A livein carer also resides with the duo, so she has additional support.
“Recording music began as a challenge as I would literally be jumping back inside the house if my mum needed anything,” he explained.
“But gradually I worked out that it is all about routine, especially with dementia. The more routine that my mum has, such as a routine for her meal times, the easier it made it for me to work on my music without being distracted.”
Since his mother’s diagnosis in 2018, Naughty Boy has become an ambassador for Dementia UK. The charity helps to provide support for families affected by dementia, a condition which can affect a person’s memory, language and other faculties.
He revealed that he has reached out to the charity since lockdown began in March, as his mother’s condition has worsened over the past few months.
When the Covid19 crisis started, he made the decision not to tell his mother about the pandemic as he did not want her to become panicked or distressed.
However, after a routine visit to empty when usually it is busy, and she had to wear a mask and gloves,” he recalled. “So we had to tell her and we had to reassure her that we were fine. But in those weeks after, I noticed a slight shift in her dementia and I was concerned it was because she was worried about the virus.”
Naughty Boy said he called the Dementia UK helpline and spoke to some nurses for assistance. He admitted it was the “best decision” he could have made.
“I thought they might be too busy or there would be more important people who needed help, but that was the best decision I made in terms of understanding more about what mum is going through,” he explained.
“Hearing other stories has made me feel like my family and I are not alone in dealing with this.”
Last month, the charity launched its latest campaign called Lives On Hold, which aimed to raise awareness of the challenges that dementia carers face.
The cause is especially close to Naughty Boy’s heart, and he said he could empathise with families who were caring for a loved one during lockdown.
“For most people with anyone ill in the family, whether they live with them or not, it has been the most testing time that I can remember since my mum has been living with me,” he admitted.
Although he revealed that it was upsetting to see his mum unwell, Naughty Boy said he used music as a positive outlet. When his mother was having a bad day, he played music she recognised, he said.
“I would play Bollywood songs to mum from her wedding, songs that define her youth when she was growing up,” he said.
“It would immediately spark a smile in my mum and she would start singing.”
She also recognises his music and has a particular fondness for La La La, which was Naughty Boy’s first number one single in the UK.
“I use music to raise my mum up,” he said. “Music is much more powerful than we realise.”