Mumbai: With the latest Bollywood sensation "Crew," music duo Akshay & IP have hit the spotlight with their debut as a duo on a feature film. Crafting tunes together since their band days in Delhi, their journey led them back to each other in Bombay, where they reignited their passion for creating commercial music.
Akshay Raheja's music production credits include hits like "Ranjha," apart from other films like Gully Boy, Kesari, Phillauri among others. At the same time, IP Singh has worked as a lyricist/singer on various Bollywood releases like Jehda Nasha (Action Hero), Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui, Disco Balma and Nadiyon Paar. He has also closely worked in collaboration with Grammy Award Winner Ricky Kej as well as with the legendary Lucky.
From reimagining classic Bollywood hits like "Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai" and "Sona Kitna Sona Reimagined", to paving the way for fresh sounds in Indian cinema, their collaboration promises a vibrant future in the music industry.
Indiantelevision.com in conversation music duo Akshay & IP delved into their unique musical journeys, their early struggle phase, on songs nowadays having only lesser verses and much more…
Edited Excerpts:
On each of your unique musical journeys
IP: We've been crafting tunes together since our band days back in Delhi in 2008. After a bit of a detour, we reunited in Bombay around 2017-18 and decided to dive back into making music together. It's always been a blast creating music as a duo.
Akshay: Our musical journey began way back in school and college, where we both discovered our love for music. After meeting in college, we formed a bond and started making music together in Delhi for about 4 to 4.5 years. Eventually, we pursued our individual paths, but fate brought us back together in Bombay around seven or eight years ago. That’s when we decided to team up again, this time with a focus on commercial music.
On your early struggle phase and the turning point of your lives
IP: Our journey hasn't really felt like a struggle. We were fortunate to have unwavering support from our families and friends. While we faced the usual challenges of honing our skills and dealing with setbacks, we never felt alone in our pursuit. Moving to Bombay and immersing ourselves in the music scene there marked a significant turning point in our lives.
Akshay: Our move to Bombay wasn’t so much a struggle as it was an exciting adventure. With our background in music since school, we had strong support from our families. We formed bands, performed in colleges, and even toured. Personally, I had previous experience working in an advertising agency for about 4.5 years, which paved the way for our transition to Bombay. While rejection is part of the game in commercial music, we were more excited than daunted by the prospect of exploring new opportunities in the city.
On your collaboration as a duo for the first time on a Bollywood feature film like “Crew”
IP: Our musical paths crossed again thanks to a connection Akshay had with Rhea. It felt like the perfect opportunity to team up again, and we dove into it wholeheartedly.
Akshay: Patience is key when navigating the music scene in Bombay, but the city rewards perseverance. Before our involvement in “Crew,” we were already collaborating on various projects, including music for OTT platforms and brands. Thanks to our ongoing connection with Rhea, who appreciated our music, we got the opportunity to work on “Crew” and create some memorable tunes for the film.
On navigating the balance between maintaining originality and reinventing classic Bollywood songs
IP: We approach reimagining classic tunes with great care, striving to maintain their essence while adding our own unique twist. It's all about finding that balance between staying true to the original and infusing it with our creativity and passion.
Akshay: Our gratitude to Rhea knows no bounds for entrusting us with four songs in our debut film “Crew.” We’ve always had a deep respect for classic songs, and it reflects in our approach to reimagining them. While we strive to maintain the essence and integrity of the originals, we also infuse them with our unique touch, as entrusted by producers like Rhea. Take “Choli,” for example, where we retained the original vocals to preserve its nostalgic charm.
On songs nowadays having only one or two verses, unlike older songs that have multiple verses
IP: With the fast pace of modern life, people's attention spans have shortened. Additionally, there's a staggering amount of music being released each year. As a result, songs are becoming shorter and more concise to capture listeners' interest in a shorter timeframe.
Akshay: Nowadays, with shorter attention spans and the abundance of content available, music has adapted to fit into bite-sized formats. Even though songs may seem shorter, there’s often a longer version available on streaming platforms. Whether it’s for films or brands, creating content that resonates with audiences in a shorter timeframe is essential in today’s fast-paced world.
On your experiences working on brand campaigns versus film projects
IP: Brand campaigns are a blast! They teach us to be concise and understand the needs of both the director and the brand. There's also the added perk of good compensation. Personally, we don't see much of a distinction between working on brand campaigns, film projects, or our own original music. It's all about pouring our hearts and souls into the music, regardless of the project.
Akshay: Working on brand campaigns and film projects both have their unique challenges and rewards. While films offer a set narrative, brand campaigns often involve more collaborative creativity. Despite their differences, we approach both with enthusiasm and dedication, knowing that our music plays a crucial role in storytelling and brand messaging.
On seeing the future of music in Indian cinema evolving
IP: Music in Indian cinema is already evolving rapidly. The lines between indie and mainstream Bollywood music are blurring, and quality music finds its place in films regardless of its origin. As visual spaces continue to be explored, we anticipate more exciting sonic landscapes emerging in Indian cinema.
Akshay: The future of music in Indian cinema looks promising, with an increasing acceptance of fresh talent and indie music. Thanks to platforms like OTT and social media, independent artists have greater visibility and are getting the recognition they deserve. Directors are also exploring new sounds and styles, leading to a more diverse and exciting music landscape in Indian cinema.
On any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about
IP: We've got some exciting projects in the pipeline, including a few films and discussions about potential OTT shows. We're also eager to dive into working on our next album. The outpouring of love we've received since our last project has been incredible, and we're thrilled to collaborate with new partners and create fresh, innovative music.
Akshay: We have several exciting projects in the works, including mainstream films, OTT releases, and fashion music. Additionally, we’re planning to focus on our own releases, whether it’s singles or an album. The success of “Crew” has motivated us to keep evolving our sound and exploring new avenues in music. Get ready for something fresh and different from us in the near future!
