BlaaZe

What inspired Time for Gandhi?

The Mahatma...the chaos around, and the need to express myself in a truly global Indian way meant, literally, it was time for Gandhi.

How personal are the songs?

The lyrics are so much more personal because it’s my own album as opposed to writing for film songs, film situations, etc.

Your lyrics are always political.

The first song I wrote was for the elections in Zambia (where BlaaZe grew up). So, my lyrics do have political undertones.

And this is a protest album?

I try to talk about issues close to us, and the album has songs to police injustices, the Egypt revolution and Robben Island’s spirit of survival. If it brings some kind of awareness, great.

It’s a hip hop album. Is yours a mainly teenage audience?

We all have a Gandhi in us and to express his thoughts in a musical way is my goal. Hip hop is about being the voice of protest/voice of change. I hope people’s perception of hip hop in India will change for the better with this.

Have you always been a fan of Gandhi?

Yes. I have a charkha too...truly priceless.

Was creating the album a sort of catharsis?

Absolutely. It was truly a sincere debut that I am proud of and very thankful for.

Do you think it will go international?

My dream is to reach out to the world and make a difference with music and its messages. It’d be good to take India’s message and knowledge, and share it with the world.

The lyrics are English. The sounds Indian.

Having grown up in Zambia, and finding my roots in India, it is a blend of all that encompasses the sounds of both worlds.

Your favourite track from the album?

Time for Gandhi, the title track, because it was recorded and sent to Ela Gandhi (Gandhi’s granddaughter) in South Africa, and her reply encouraged me to do a full album and really get his message across to the world.