A year's round up article I wrote for HT in 06... and what do you know some of it actually came true!
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LET THE MUSIC PLAY…
Upcoming music trends 2006
Everyone plays what’s already hot. It’s predicting what’s going to be hot that is the challenge. People in the music business have been trying to crack that forever. Studying trends, sales, looking westwards, doing what not to try and figure it out.
If only there was a formula. Well if I knew, I’d be rich.
And well, I don’t. So I’m not. [I work for MTV!]
But for all it’s worth, here’s my take on what and who’s possibly going to be hot in music in 2006. Based purely on my limited understanding of our viewer’s tastes, the Indian music business mixed with personal likes, dislikes and my own gut feel.
WHAT’S OUT… OR IN EXIT MODE
1. Bhangra
No real new Bhangra acts. Even the older ones have failed to serve up anything new. Unless some reinvention happens, the sound that had the nation [including the South] rocking is out.
2. Brit Asian
What was one of the biggest trends of last year is now waning. Crossing over from India and then back in with Panjabi MC, Rishi Rich, Raghav and more. Action has slowed down even in the UK where the sound first originated.
3. Remix
2005 already saw a decline in both tracks and videos [be it with or without 3 girls and a whip!] The slide continues in 2006 with everyone looking out for newer, more original acts.
4. Talent hunt winners
From the fastest moving consumer product to being parked in the last shelf. The category will chill out because of the sheer overkill in numbers. The talent being churned out will see shorter life spans, lesser hysteria and fewer hits. Aapka Abhijeet may be the last action hero we saw!
WHAT’S IN… OR COMING YOUR WAY
1. Pakistani infiltration
The trend will not only grow but explode in 2006. MTV’s already featured a string[s] (sic!) of Pak acts like Strings, Fuzon, Jal, Ali Zafar, Ali Azmat, Faakhir, Junoon. Bollywood latched on with some of the biggest hits of 05 being of Paki origin. Be it “woh lamhay” [Zeher], “aadat” / “dhadak dhadak” [Kalyug]. And you know when that happens… its ready steady blast off! Not surprising given the simple and original melodies, meaningful lyrics and superior + clean videos.
2. Hip Hop
From the Big B [Amitabh in Bunty aur Babli] to the Small B [Abhishek in Bluffmaster], everyone’s doing it. It’s evident in the sound, the videos, the styling and more. No longer restricted to the 2 weirdos you know who wear their pants below their knees and have the strangest handshake ever. Hip Hop’s here to stay Ma Homie!
3. Cross over
Not of sounds. But people. From composers who turned singers [Himesh singing “aashiq banaya aapne”], singers turning composers [Sonu, Adnan] to choreographers turning popstars [Ganesh Hegde]. We’ll probably see a lot more of this. Whether we like it or not!
4. International influence
This will be visible and audible in areas right from production and music arrangement to videos and lyrics. So “just chill chill”, “wind your body two time” are not one off “i’m a disco dancer”… you’ll be hearing a lot worse English in the coming year. Well, “mama already told me that”!
PEOPLE TO WATCH OUT FOR…
1. Playback
a. Kunal Ganjawala: Murder and Salaam Namaste are only the start… his best is yet to come. Keep your eyes on this one. Mr. Ganjawala pass us some of that good stuff.
b. Shweta Pandit: This one’s dynamite. Her work in Naach and Neal N Nikki are only a sampler of her capability. She’s going to give everyone a serious run for their money. Yes, rockstar, superstar, hot n happening Shweta Pandit.
2. Crossover
a. Himesh Reshammiya: He’s churned out some of the biggest hits of all times… “tere naam’, “just chill” and after picking up an Immies bhopu for singing “aashiq banaaya aapne”, there’s going to be no holding him back. Watch out for his private album hitting the stores shortly.
b. Ganesh Hegde: Style, attitude and more. MTVIndia.com’s 500,000+ subscribers rate him as the best performance at the MTV Immies. I agree. Ganesh is a rockstar. And he knows it. See his incredible launch video “main deewana” and you know he means business. G’s got some more aces up his sleeve. Watch them get dealt as the year plays out.
3. Indipop
a. Abhijeet Sawant: This one’s no ‘One Hit Wonder’. The style is backed by enough substance. Wait for album 2… but bhau… you will need to reinvent, repackage to prove that.
b. Indian Idol 2: Expectations will be high. But then so will be the publicity blitz which will take care of the initial. Can we hope for a woman star this time, please?
4. Pakistani pop
a. Jal: If you thought “woh lamhay” rocked and you loved them live… my money’s on these young Turks from Pakistan for their second album. I’ve already pre-booked my copy.
b. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan: A voice that will cross any border, Rahat saab is the man behind the super soulful “dhadak dhadak”. He earns his surname as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s nephew and successor. This is one voice that’s going to resonate through 06.
c. Shahzad Roy: Super sensation in Pakistan. Should have broken way before any of the others. But better late than never. Known as much for his pro-social work as his music, Shahzad has a killer video breaking soon called “saali tu maani nahi” which is already a rage back home. He’s going to rule. Better believe it else I’ll say, “saley tum maane nahi”!
If any of these forecasts do come true, maybe there is a formula. And maybe there is money in it. You can send in your feedback [and cheques] addressed to patila@mtv-asia.com. Enjoy!
-----------------------------------------------------
LET THE MUSIC PLAY…
Upcoming music trends 2006
Everyone plays what’s already hot. It’s predicting what’s going to be hot that is the challenge. People in the music business have been trying to crack that forever. Studying trends, sales, looking westwards, doing what not to try and figure it out.
If only there was a formula. Well if I knew, I’d be rich.
And well, I don’t. So I’m not. [I work for MTV!]
But for all it’s worth, here’s my take on what and who’s possibly going to be hot in music in 2006. Based purely on my limited understanding of our viewer’s tastes, the Indian music business mixed with personal likes, dislikes and my own gut feel.
WHAT’S OUT… OR IN EXIT MODE
1. Bhangra
No real new Bhangra acts. Even the older ones have failed to serve up anything new. Unless some reinvention happens, the sound that had the nation [including the South] rocking is out.
2. Brit Asian
What was one of the biggest trends of last year is now waning. Crossing over from India and then back in with Panjabi MC, Rishi Rich, Raghav and more. Action has slowed down even in the UK where the sound first originated.
3. Remix
2005 already saw a decline in both tracks and videos [be it with or without 3 girls and a whip!] The slide continues in 2006 with everyone looking out for newer, more original acts.
4. Talent hunt winners
From the fastest moving consumer product to being parked in the last shelf. The category will chill out because of the sheer overkill in numbers. The talent being churned out will see shorter life spans, lesser hysteria and fewer hits. Aapka Abhijeet may be the last action hero we saw!
WHAT’S IN… OR COMING YOUR WAY
1. Pakistani infiltration
The trend will not only grow but explode in 2006. MTV’s already featured a string[s] (sic!) of Pak acts like Strings, Fuzon, Jal, Ali Zafar, Ali Azmat, Faakhir, Junoon. Bollywood latched on with some of the biggest hits of 05 being of Paki origin. Be it “woh lamhay” [Zeher], “aadat” / “dhadak dhadak” [Kalyug]. And you know when that happens… its ready steady blast off! Not surprising given the simple and original melodies, meaningful lyrics and superior + clean videos.
2. Hip Hop
From the Big B [Amitabh in Bunty aur Babli] to the Small B [Abhishek in Bluffmaster], everyone’s doing it. It’s evident in the sound, the videos, the styling and more. No longer restricted to the 2 weirdos you know who wear their pants below their knees and have the strangest handshake ever. Hip Hop’s here to stay Ma Homie!
3. Cross over
Not of sounds. But people. From composers who turned singers [Himesh singing “aashiq banaya aapne”], singers turning composers [Sonu, Adnan] to choreographers turning popstars [Ganesh Hegde]. We’ll probably see a lot more of this. Whether we like it or not!
4. International influence
This will be visible and audible in areas right from production and music arrangement to videos and lyrics. So “just chill chill”, “wind your body two time” are not one off “i’m a disco dancer”… you’ll be hearing a lot worse English in the coming year. Well, “mama already told me that”!
PEOPLE TO WATCH OUT FOR…
1. Playback
a. Kunal Ganjawala: Murder and Salaam Namaste are only the start… his best is yet to come. Keep your eyes on this one. Mr. Ganjawala pass us some of that good stuff.
b. Shweta Pandit: This one’s dynamite. Her work in Naach and Neal N Nikki are only a sampler of her capability. She’s going to give everyone a serious run for their money. Yes, rockstar, superstar, hot n happening Shweta Pandit.
2. Crossover
a. Himesh Reshammiya: He’s churned out some of the biggest hits of all times… “tere naam’, “just chill” and after picking up an Immies bhopu for singing “aashiq banaaya aapne”, there’s going to be no holding him back. Watch out for his private album hitting the stores shortly.
b. Ganesh Hegde: Style, attitude and more. MTVIndia.com’s 500,000+ subscribers rate him as the best performance at the MTV Immies. I agree. Ganesh is a rockstar. And he knows it. See his incredible launch video “main deewana” and you know he means business. G’s got some more aces up his sleeve. Watch them get dealt as the year plays out.
3. Indipop
a. Abhijeet Sawant: This one’s no ‘One Hit Wonder’. The style is backed by enough substance. Wait for album 2… but bhau… you will need to reinvent, repackage to prove that.
b. Indian Idol 2: Expectations will be high. But then so will be the publicity blitz which will take care of the initial. Can we hope for a woman star this time, please?
4. Pakistani pop
a. Jal: If you thought “woh lamhay” rocked and you loved them live… my money’s on these young Turks from Pakistan for their second album. I’ve already pre-booked my copy.
b. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan: A voice that will cross any border, Rahat saab is the man behind the super soulful “dhadak dhadak”. He earns his surname as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s nephew and successor. This is one voice that’s going to resonate through 06.
c. Shahzad Roy: Super sensation in Pakistan. Should have broken way before any of the others. But better late than never. Known as much for his pro-social work as his music, Shahzad has a killer video breaking soon called “saali tu maani nahi” which is already a rage back home. He’s going to rule. Better believe it else I’ll say, “saley tum maane nahi”!
If any of these forecasts do come true, maybe there is a formula. And maybe there is money in it. You can send in your feedback [and cheques] addressed to patila@mtv-asia.com. Enjoy!
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