Armaan Malik, a prominent figure in the Indian music scene, has voiced his opinion on the perception of Indian singers who perform English songs. He believes there's a tendency in India to undervalue local artists who venture into English music, suggesting a bias that favors international artists over homegrown talent.
Malik's perspective stems from his own experiences and observations within the industry. He has been working towards bringing Indian music to the global stage. He has observed that there is a "notion that Indian singers don't have the right pronunciation, right delivery to sing English songs". He aimed to challenge this mindset, and upon releasing his first English song, "Control," he was pleased to find that people appreciated his pronunciation and delivery.
This journey hasn't been without its hurdles. Malik has faced criticism and negative remarks for exploring music outside the established norms. Some listeners have even told him to stick to singing in Hindi, as they perceive him to be better at it. However, Malik takes such comments with a grain of salt, recognizing that resistance is natural when challenging conventions.
Despite the criticism, Malik remains determined to pursue his passion for English music and to elevate Indian music on the global stage. He sees collaborations with international artists as a way to break stereotypes and demonstrate that Asian music, including Indian music, has the potential to resonate worldwide. Malik's collaborations, such as "Echo" with Eric Nam and KSHMR, exemplify this vision, bringing together artists from different cultural backgrounds to create music that transcends geographical boundaries.
Malik's journey reflects a broader trend in the Indian music industry, where artists are increasingly experimenting with different genres and languages. He started singing at eight years old, got his first song at 18, dreamed of singing in English at 14, and finally released his debut English single a decade later, at 24. He believes that artists evolve over time, shedding their old skin to become better versions of themselves. This evolution is essential for staying relevant and appealing to a diverse audience.
His father initially advised him to focus on Bollywood music to build an audience in India before pursuing his dream of singing English pop music. Malik acknowledged the importance of this foundation, recognizing that his success in Bollywood paved the way for his current endeavors.
Malik's efforts to promote Indian music on a global scale extend beyond his own performances. On his radio show, "Only Just Begun," he shares his vision of taking Indian music to the world. He engages in conversations with industry professionals, such as Aayushman Sinha, about strategies for making Indian pop music a global phenomenon.
Malik's perspective highlights the need for a shift in mindset, encouraging audiences to appreciate the talent and potential of Indian artists who are pushing boundaries and creating music that appeals to a global audience. He aims to inspire other Indian singers to pursue their dreams, regardless of language or genre, and to contribute to a more inclusive and diverse global music landscape.
