'Rap is fast, fatafat -- people can listen to it and move on'
Baba Sehgal can't stop rapping, even in cyberspace. Of course, he promoted his new album, but he also tried to spread his mantra for success and peace when he came for the Rediff Chat. One thing is for sure though: there's never a dull moment when Baba is around. Find out for yourself.
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:40 IST)
Hi I'm here, the tikitiki guy is here, to answer all your queries related to Indian pop music which is going through a really bad phase right now. Check me out man!
Sumeetr (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:31 IST)
Hi! Baba .... you actually belonged to Engg line ... (I assume computers) ... what drove you to music ... that too, RAP?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:42 IST)
Sumeetr: Education plays an important role in any industry be it music/cricket/etc etc... I hink being an engineer has helped me technically to create better music on the Indian front.
Neetu (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:42 IST)
Hey Baba, you are right that pop music is going through a bad phase, but I'm sure things will pick up... so what have you been upto lately.. keeping a low profile?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:48 IST)
Neetu: "Let us put fun back in the music" -- it is a sort of a logo in my new album titled Abb Main Vengaboy. And it took me almost 10 months to create this album to give something unique to my listeners keeping the whackiness of Baba Sehgal intact. Since everybody is doing Punjabi bhangra music which is actualy not selling in the market because of a result of overkill. I think this album is an attempt to revamp the Indian music scene.
Sagar (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:43 IST)
Do you intend to compose music for any Bollywood movies?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:52 IST)
Sagar: Actually I have not given music for any film yet, but I had released a private album called Dance Party in 1994 and the producer released his film taking my songs, hyping the film as 'Baba Sehgal has entered into film music.'
White Swan (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:52 IST)
Were you ever a target of manipulations like one usually is in the entertainment industry?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:53 IST)
White Swan: No one can manipulate a dedicated and sincere artiste and I'm lucky to be one.
Sushmita (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:53 IST)
Where have you been, Baba? No songs, videos etc lately
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:55 IST)
Sushmita: Now check me out in my latest release Abb Main Vengaboy, the title track Venga Venga Vengaboy curently being aired on all music channels and the album releasing tommorow (September 28,1999).
Leanne (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:54 IST)
Yeah Baba.. why don't u get into film music since it's an established fact that filmi music sells more than just the pop stuff?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:59 IST)
Leanne: To get into film music, you need to do a lot of manipulation (maybe kill somebody's career too) and I'm quite happy to be branded as King of Rap Baba Sehgal and do justice to my songs which makes me, my fans and my company happy. I have to accept the fact that I am what I am because of pop music.
Sagar (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:43 IST)
Who is your mentor?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:56 IST)
Sagar: Kishore Kumar, the ultimate entertainer, is my mentor.
Lolo (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:58 IST)
Hey Baba, why don't you do special appearnces in movies like Daler Mehndi?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:1 IST)
Lolo: I don't need to over-expose myself making apperances on the filmi circuit which kills an individual's market to some extent. I think that answers your question:-)
Champagne (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:1 IST)
Baba... that's true... you being the king of rap and all... but don't you feel the need to evolve?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:7 IST)
Champagne: See rap has not yet been exploited in India as it has been in America, which started in 1977 and is still going strong. And with this new album of mine, I have tried to evolve a new fresh distinct style of rap. Which people will love of course and at the same time look forward to are different rap numbers from Baba Sehgal in years to come from now.
Dinosaur (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:6 IST)
Hey Baba, apart from music what else do you handle?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:9 IST)
Dinosaours: Friends, Friends, G-Friends, Girl Friends and my gym which helped me lose 15 kgs in one-and-a-half years.
Sailesh Nepal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:9 IST)
Baba, you are ignoring the Nepalese, why? We love your music too much but...you...not responding..
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:11 IST)
Sailesh: I love Nepal, I love Kathmandu, tami harulai kasto cho (How are you?) And I cannot avoid my neighbour who is responsible for 10 per cent of my sales:-) Love you
Alicia (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:6 IST)
But with so many channels and so many budding singers popping up from nowhere, don't u feel the need to project yourself in whichever way poossible? Even if it amounts to doing special appearnces in movies?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:19 IST)
Alicia: I am not desperate to prove my talent as long as my company's cash register rings and my fans keep coming back for more. What matters to me is quality and concept music than doing an album for the heck of it. I don't boost my sales doing gimmicks and passing comments on my peers. The current music companies and the artistes want quick recognition only in terms of music videos, exploiting women, and not concentrating on their work to keep them going in the future.
Bluemoss (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:18 IST)
Signor Sehgal! Aap kuch kam bol rahe hai!
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:20 IST)
Bluemoss: Zaada bolonga to bologe ki bolta hai.
White Swan (Mon Sep 27 1999 4:48 IST)
Apart from music, Baba how do you relax or freak out?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:21 IST)
White Swan: Drinking a lot of beer at home, then go for a hot bath and chill out!
Bluemoss (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:21 IST)
Baba> Lol!!! But really, this is fun! So what do you think about why oldies are still hummed much more than new numbers? Much longer! More time? Better music? What?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:24 IST)
Bluemoss: Earlier very few films were made and only one or two music companies existed as well as there were fewer artistes and there was plently of time to listen to those numbers. A song grew on you over the years. In today's world, there is no time, so people use music as fillers, hence I am into rap which is fast, fatafat, hence people can listen to it and move on ;-)
Mohan (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:22 IST)
Hi Baba, What's your fave song in the album? And when is it releasing? MM
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:26 IST)
Mohan: I have spent 10 months creating this album, so of course all the eight numbers in this album are close to me. Right from conceiving to writing to composing, arranging, singing and even recording. The album Abb Main Vengaboy is releasing tomorrow (Sept 28, '99)
Alicia (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:13 IST)
When is your b'day Baba? Do you have an e-mail id?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:29 IST)
Alicia: My birthday is on the 23rd of November.
Bluemoss (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:27 IST)
Well, ok, if that is the definition of the niche you've built for yourself, that's great!! So would you call yourself more an 'entertainer' with a musical angle?!
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:30 IST)
BlueMoss: You have answered your question.
Mohan (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:29 IST)
Baba, Why do you write such wacky lyrics? Is it a style you've had to work hard on or is it natural?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:35 IST)
Mohan: I'm a fun-loving artiste and I want to spread a lot of good cheer around me. As it is there is so much of dpression, tension, agony happening around us, so I sing songs that make the listeners feel good. Rap is a wonderful mode of expressing yourself (stand against the wall, spread your hands on the wall and chant the Baba Sehgal Rap Mantra 'Tikitiki Tai, ta, tai tai tum tum, paka chicki pai, pa-pa-pai, pa-pum-pum, tapak-ka-kat, pi pa, ta taripa, tikampatung ching pum pum). Just Do It, and feel the difference in your life forever.
Mohan (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:33 IST)
Baba, I'm told you do everything on your album yourself? Don't you trust others?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:36 IST)
Mohan: Yes I do, but...
Dada (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:31 IST)
Why do you tend to overlook melody and beauty in music..is it the fact that sensationalism sells?
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:38 IST)
Dada: Check out the new stuff , there is a lot of melody, rap, chorus, twelve string guitars, rock guitar, classical singing, live dholak, tabla, bass -- it's happening man.
Baba Sehgal (Mon Sep 27 1999 5:40 IST)
I enjoyed chatting with you guys and gals, ensure you go out in the market, buy at least five CDs and five cassettes and boost the sales of the Indian pop industry which needs a big hit as of now. All the best and have a great life in the new millenium. Make a lot of money, but at the same time don't lose your identity and creativity which keeps you going and moving in life. God Bless and take care.
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