Groove with Arjun: The 'Suit' singer is back with yet another hit track

British-Sri Lankan R’n’B singer Arjun is back with another hit track, Vaadi, and this time, he’s going back to his Tamil roots
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It was a cover of the hit track Why This Kolaveri Di from the (2011) Tamil film, 3, which shot singer Arjun to fame. But, it was his infectious Punjabi number Suit in 2016 with Guru Randhawa that got this British-Sri Lankan singer right to the top of the music charts! 

Arjun Coomaraswamy, known better by his stage name Arjun, uses contemporary Western and Eastern sounds while combining R’n’B with South Asian music. His grooves have got him quite the attention among Asian youngsters across the world. In an interview, Arjun speaks about his collab with Guru, his new song Vaadi that takes him back to his Tamil roots, and other upcoming projects: 

From Sri Lanka to London, tell us about your journey?
I was born in Colombo in Sri Lanka, and my parents moved to London when I was three years old. I was brought up in UK and I consider myself a true-blue Londoner. I was brought up mainly around English music in the West, but the rest of my friends are Indian and that’s really why I am aware of Bollywood music. I am the perfect combination of East and West because I was born in the East and brought up in the West. I love listening to Western artistes from India as well.  

What got you into music? Do you play any instruments?
My mom made me play instruments when I was four years old. She made me play the piano, the flute and other instruments. I learnt the guitar and drums and had my own rock band in school too. Post that, I began writing songs for other people and then I got my break on YouTube. I went on to do an English remix of Why This Kolaveri Di in 2011. I grew up as a YouTube singer and then finally, I signed on with T-Series.

What is Vaadi all about?
Vaadi, which literally means ‘come here’ (in colloquial Tamil), gives a message about global peace and harmony. Most of the video was shot in Sri Lanka, London, Africa and Ghana. It aims to portray that we are all equal. 

What is the idea behind Closer To Home?
Closer To Home is my debut album. This album is a return to my English roots, which I think has a mature and wise vibe to it. It’s an English album produced by Universal Music in UK and India. The album has 10 different type of songs, with a mix of genres varying from slow songs to party songs. The album is basically a very honest journey about my music.

What led to the collaboration with Guru Randhawa for Suit? How do you know him?
Guru and I did a song six years ago in 2012 called Same Girl. I was introduced to him by my friend, a video director in London. After Same Girl, we stayed in touch and we met whenever I was in India, or when he was in London. He sent me a new song about three years ago, and the song was Suit. He wanted to collaborate with me on the English vocals of the track. We shot the video in Patiala, Punjab, and the rest is history. 

Any upcoming collaborations with Indian artists?
I have another song coming up with Guru and a few collaborations with Indian playback singers. I will also be doing one or two Tamil songs. The focus right now is the next single. There are more songs coming on Universal Music. 
 

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