Rabbi Shergill Says Music From the 1990s and 2000s Had Greater Longevity
Mumbai — Singer-songwriter Rabbi Shergill says the music industry has changed dramatically over the years and believes the decline of traditional gatekeeping may have affected the staying power of contemporary songs.
Speaking about the evolution of India’s independent music scene, Shergill said artists once had to pass through several layers of scrutiny at record labels before their work reached listeners.
“The parameters of the industry have changed a lot. The specifics have changed a lot. Earlier, there used to be a music label,” he said.
“The music label had its own A&R. The chairman, directors and gatekeepers of the music label used to be there. And an artist had to please all of them.”
Shergill said artists often viewed those industry figures as disconnected from audiences, but in hindsight, he believes that system provided a basic level of quality control.
“At that time, we used to feel that these people were not associated with the audience,” he said. “But what we could not see at that time was a basic minimum filtering.”
He contrasted that system with today’s music landscape, where artists can release songs more directly and with fewer traditional barriers.
“Now you see that there is no basic minimum filtering. Our music of the 90s and 2000s gave you songs that you still listen to today,” Shergill said.
He cited Lucky Ali and Hariharan as examples of artists whose music continues to resonate with listeners decades later.
Shergill said it may take another 20 years to determine whether today’s music has similar longevity.
“Does today’s music tell the back story of your life? What is going on inside you? Does it give you a direction? Does it give you an expression?” he asked.
Shergill, whose music blends Punjabi, rock, folk and Sufi influences with Western arrangements, said he believes something has been lost in the changing industry.
“I feel that art has disappeared a little,” he said.
Shergill is best known for his hit “Bullah Ki Jaana,” based on a Kafi poem by Punjabi Sufi poet Bulleh Shah.
He also sang “Challa” for Yash Chopra’s 2012 film “Jab Tak Hai Jaan,” starring Shah Rukh Khan. The song was composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar. (Source: IANS)
