Our resident entertainment journalist Supriya Davda meets the extremely motivated and self-taught singer Imran Khan...
BY SUPRIYA DAVDA | OCT 12, 2009
Q. Can you give a brief introduction as to who you are and how you started out?
A. Well the name is Imran Khan, I’m a 23 year old Punjabi singer from Holland, though born in Pakistan. My passion for singing started at a really young age with me growing up listening to Punjabi music, which became my source of inspiration. I'd dreamt of becoming a singer but never thought that I would realise that dream.
Q. Did you ever receive any "formal" vocal training for your singing?
A. There was a time I didn’t feel I had the talent to sing. Though in the end I just wanted to do just that...sing and so gave it my best shot. So I didn’t receive any formal training, I’m self-taught.
Q. What inspired you to be a singer?
A. I inspired myself and always have. I've always listened to singers like Chan Chamkila and have always considered the older singers an inspiration. However, I feel I bring a new style of Bhangra with a mix of the eastern folk beats accompanied by western music. This style is unique and hasn’t been tried before, we’re bringing something new to the table.
Q. Your debut single Ni Nachle was a world wide hit and voted 'Track of the Year' in 2007, since then there’s been a lot of pressure on you to deliver an album just as good.
A. I was thrilled, as would every artist. To get such a huge response from the crowd for the first song that you make is a great feeling. I would definitely consider this a special moment in my life and I would like to thank all my supporters for all their love and support. It’s important that I match up to the same standards and in fact it gives you a sense of motivation to work harder and better yourself.
Q. You've pen all your lyrics be it Ni Nachle to the soulful track Bewafaa. Where do you draw your writing the inspiration from?
A. I always put my self in a situation and note down my feelings. It really varies from song to song. In Ni Nachle I was thinking of my own reactions and feelings when in a club. Then we have a completely different track like Bewefaa, how would I feel if a girl broke my heart, how will I react?
Q. Not many people know this but you've produced an album before, which generated a limited response, where did you think you went wrong?
A. This was in the beginning phase of my career; I went to Pakistan and produced an album. The music was very traditional, and in fact the album was not even released, but in the process of creating the music I realised it was too traditional and I wanted to have a western touch to it. We then scrapped the album and started again. So it wasn’t ever released. We wanted to create something that would blow peoples socks off. It’s a trial and error process. It’s a bout striking the right chord.
Q. What motivates you?
A. The Punjabi artists in this industry motivate me, they’ve all made a mark and succeeded, we all go through this process at some stage in our lives, I just want to be able to produce quality music. I will never put anything out there that I am not 100% happy with.
Q. Whom do you consider your competition?
A. No one to be honest with you, because what I’m doing is totally different, I’ve defined my style and people know that this type of sound is the ‘Imran Khan’ style.
Q. What do you consider your unique selling point? What would you say is different?
A. I’m more urban in my sound, presentation and imagery but I bring a Panjabi element in the language. This is Panjabi language music for the new generation.
Q. During the making of your album Unforgettable what are the fondest memories you hold?
A. The making of the album in totality was unforgettable. I remember at times it used to get frustrating when the lyrics wouldn’t work and we’d have to reproduce it again. I wouldn’t say anything funny happened, but something interesting for sure, is that in the first video produced, there was a police scene chasing me, and they were actually real life coppers.
Q. Many British Asian artists here have made an entry into the Indian Cinema in recent times; do you have any such plans?
A. Why not, if I get an opportunity then for sure, I’m open to any new opportunities. And it would be fantastic to showcase my work to a much wider audience.
Q. How supportive have your parents and family been in your chosen career path?
A. My parents have always been extremely supportive and from day one really. They have never questioned my work or said “What are you doing?” they’ve always said keep at it.
Q. What’s next for you now?
A. We’ve got a new single to be released soon, but I can’t say too much about it yet.
Imran Khan's debut album Unforgettable is on sale at local music stores now
