With a striking young blood and a mixture of aggression, realness and femininity, Hard Kaur has truly set out to conquer in style
2009-05-05
The HK Craze has hit India with her album Supawoman playing across cafes, clubs and music stops throughout the country. Signed as the world's first international artist by maestro record label Saregama, she's truly set precedent. From the streets of the UK into the crazy world of Mumbai, XEHER catches up with this true Supawoman in the heart of India's entertainment capital.
Q. How did your journey begin becoming Hard Kaur?
HK. I only discovered Hip-Hop around 1993 when I started hanging out with some of the black girls at school. I fell in love with this sound, vocal technique and the whole attitude. I knew it was going to be very difficult for me, as Asian girls doing music and especially Hip-Hop was unheard of. But it was the challenge that drove me to do this. I started writing and taking part in MC battles. I wanted to prove that we were not here just to cook, clean and make babies. So I became the first Asian female rap artist, a talented and original one.
Q. What was it like growing up with musical aspirations as a young Asian Woman?
HK. I moved to the UK in 1991 from India and started discovering different styles of music. It was great listening to new sounds like reggae, breaks and jungle. I got to say after Hip-Hop, my second love is Drum'n'Bass. I love music and had always wanted to be involved with the entertainment industry ever since I was a little girl. So, as soon as I learned how to speak English I started mastering myself as an MC. I researched and soaked up everything that I missed out in my youth - history of all rap music, I was addicted. The first album I ever bought was Keith Murray's Enigma.
Q. What were the difficulties you faced in the process of becoming the success you are today?
HK. Oh that's a never-ending answer. Starting from getting discriminated by British Asians for being a 'freshie' - I didn't know how to speak English properly when I came over from India - to the Indian community giving my family stress for me doing rap music. From walking into studios and receiving sexist comments and being looked at as piece of meat, to being a victim of violence and bearing the brunt of all the continuous discrimination from my own family not speaking to me. I have been dissed by male artists, resulting in prank calls through to death threats, even to not getting paid and to constantly worrying about getting raped and on and on and on and on. You want more?
Q. What is your take on women and the British Asian music scene? Or is it as some people call it 'a boys club'?
HK. It's definitely a a boys club, but I don't take that s**t. I'm not going let anyone or anything get in my way. I'm a Punjaban and have always been tough. Yes, I have had bad days but I never give up. There were a few women that came out in the last couple of years, but they doing it for the wrong reasons, just for fame. Only a handful of girls are talented but not many can take the pressure. I have tried to help many girls who I believed in but in the end they were not dedicated enough. Some of them even gave it up because their boyfriend didn't like them being on stage. However today, men in the industry salute me, as I am the biggest hustler they know.
Q. You are the first international artist to have been signed up by powerhouse record label Saregama. How has this change affected you?
HK. I felt proud to be the first international signing by Saregama. Getting a deal decreases your headache a little you know. I was doing everything myself and was still working a full time job, in order for me to come up with money to fund my music, like recordings and paying for beats. I wouldn't say it has affected me much as I still deal with a lot of my business myself but yes it's less stress. This is my life and my career so only I can push myself to achieve the most. Plus I have a problem, well a habit of never trusting anyone.
Q. 'Supawoman' the album is doing amazingly well across the continents. Why 'Supawoman' as your album title?
HK. 'Supawoman' is dedicated to my mother. She has definitely got super powers. She is one of the finest tales of our people moving to the UK and becoming successful. After the death of my father in the 1984 riots, she has gone through so much struggle bringing up my little brother and me as a single parent. Today she is successful and well respected by the community. She's a real gangster.
Q. You pretty much live in Mumbai now. Tell us about Mumbai, and your experiences in the world of Bollywood?
HK. I'm thankful for the love I receive in India and the Bollywood scene. It's absolutely fantastic to be able to work with the best composers and musicians out there. Stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwariya Rai actually recognize me and show me respect, now that's a great feeling. I'm quite tired most of the time but it's for my future that I have to do this.
Q. Who have been your main pillars of support throughout your journey to where you are today?
HK. My mother is the only one who went out her way to help me out no matter what it has cost her. For the first ten years it's only been her, and of course my fans who gave me a lot of love and support. The two very important people in my life who have unconditionally helped me on every corner and every situation in the last five years are D (can't tell you who that is), and Mr Summit Dutt, the director of 'Look 4 Me' and ' Bombay Deewana' video. He's like a father figure.
Q. A lot of people tend to perceive Hard Kaur as a 'bad girl'. Why do you think this is?
HK. Well of course I'm a bad girl to the ones who try to mess with me. Is it because I do my work and don't let anyone get in my way, or is it because the more successful a woman is the more hate she gets? Is it because I'm not dumb or scared? I don't take any crap from anyone so isn't that a good thing? I will not let any jokers try to stop me from achieving what I have or going to.
Q. On love and relationships, are you currently seeing anyone?
HK. Like I said before I find it hard to trust people. I've been burnt in the past and refuse to get hurt anymore. When the right man comes along I'll think about it. Right now I got to make that doe baby!
Q. Has there ever been anyone in your life that has acted as a huge obstacle in the way of you and your career?
HK. Not mentioning any names but people in the industry have always been obstacles. Either it's because they are jealous or they are looking after another female artist. I get a lot of hate from other male artists too, but my reaction - I don't give a flying f**k.
Q. There is a constant debate on people saying they don't have enough time for a relationship. How do you think people can find the right balance in a relationship?
HK. To have perfect balance you have to have space from each other. You can't be constantly in someone's face all the time. Remember too much of anything is not good. Space also brings people closer if you actually love each other. I think the problem these days is that people just want to f**k around rather then have a decent relationship.
Q. What have been the highlights of your career till date?
HK. I think my whole life has been a big fat highlight. Performing with Justin Timberlake to the success of 'Glassy', its all been a great experience. Biggest highlight this year, has to be working with Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy on the movie 'Johnny Gaddar' for the track 'Move your body'.
To the Kaur of her name, Hard Kaur has done nothing less than pave the way and set a fine example that being British, Asian and a woman in that combination can't stop you believing and pursuing the career that your hearts aspires to.
