RDB

Brothers Surj, Manj and Kuly — or RDB, as they are popularly known — were on a whirlwind tour of Mumbai recently to promote their latest single De de chumma, a collaboration with desi rapper Blitz. In between shows, t2 caught up on e-mail with Surj, who spoke on why RDB continues to associate itself with Bollywood music.

Om Mangalam for Kambakkht Ishq, the Singh Is Kinng title track and Rafta rafta for Namastey London — RDB is becoming synonymous with Bollywood...

I think it’s been a blessing that our music has done so well in this industry. We always knew there was a place for our genre and style in Bollywood!

Tell us about your latest single De de chumma...

Working with fresh talent like Blitz was great fun. The track was written by Parichay, sung by Manj and Blitz and composed by RDB. Later on, we shot the video in downtown Toronto. We kept it quite conservative but, of course, with some glamour.

Which is your favourite Bollywood movie?

I wish I had one, but I don’t watch them that often. I prefer listening to the soundtracks.

What’s next for RDB? Will it be a mix of private albums and Bollywood projects?

Yes, for sure. We are in the final stages of making the album and be assured that it has all the styles that our fans expect from us. We also have a few Bollywood projects up our sleeve.

Where do you see Indian film music going in the next decade?

Over the last decade it has taken huge strides, so I think it’s safe to say that over the next decade, the Indian film industry is going to be recognised on every continent, in a much bigger way than it is now.

What has been your most exciting collaboration with an Indian artiste, so far?

Working with Akki (Akshay Kumar) and (rapper) Snoop Dogg in Singh Is Kinng.

Bhangra music has been big in Bollywood for quite some time now. What was the edge that RDB brought to the genre?

Punjabis and Bhangra music in Bollywood were a little too stereotypical for my liking. Understanding that Bhangra represented a way of life from different parts of the world gave us the unique ability to compose it in our own special way.

Would you say that in contrast to UK pioneers like The Dhol Foundation or Asian Dub Foundation, your music aligns more with popular, mainstream sounds?

In all fairness, these pioneers have brought the sounds of Asian/Indian/ Pakistani music to the forefront for Western audiences. Asian Underground and Dubstep have a mass following in the UK, but our collaborations, as with Snoop in Singh Is Kinng, appeal to a larger commercial market.