With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013
With Dada Chen at NYAFF 2013

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

ACF 2100: Raje Shwari releases GET YOUR LIFE, her first solo song & video

Timbaland Protégé Raje Shwari Releases First
Solo Song & Video, “Get Your Life,”
An Urban-Flavored Dance Number
Now Available for Download on I-Tunes

Known as the Indian princess of R&B and Hip-Hop, Raje Shwari, who has collaborated with the likes of Timbaland, Jay Z and Pharrell, launches her solo career with the release of “Get Your Life,” a single that encourages people to be comfortable in their own skin and stand up for their beliefs, no matter how different they might be from the norm. Released by BollyHood Records, the new single, produced by newcomer Lectriq, is now available for download on I-Tunes and the video, directed by Paul Coy Allen (known for his work with Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Kate Perry, Drake), can be viewed above and on the artist’s web site.

"Get Your Life" is an innovative, urban-flavored dance number that kicks off with a driving dhol (Indian drum) beat and sitar (Indian musical instrument) riff, quickly fusing with contemporary dance and pop, while summoning cultures to collide and throw a worldwide party together. The music video is a colorful visual feast, highlighting a cast of characters from diverse backgrounds. “Raje’s undeniable star quality pops on the screen in each and every shot,” said director Allen. “By capturing flashes of the Indian culture, a small narrative element and some cool performance set-ups, this video is the most colorful of all my projects. Where there is color, there is energy, and this video is just that. With Raje's hypnotic music as the backdrop, this entire package is really something fresh and new for the global audience.”

Born and raised in America in a traditional Indian household, Raje’s identity as a global citizen drives her choices as a musician. Inspired by the likes of Madonna, Prince and Beyonce, Raje considers her music to be a movement in the making, a phenomenon she proudly calls ‘Bollyhood.’ “Anything that brings people together is always going to be my mission. There’s no better platform than music to send a bigger message that we are all in this human experience together.”

"As a producer who has worked with every kind of artist, I always look for something new to inspire me. Raje's definitely that type of artist, she was that from the first day we met,” said music producer Timbaland. “She's unique for sure, and I'd even go so far to say that her sound is really her own. There’s probably no one out there who can duplicate it, maybe just try to imitate it, but she's the original."

Rajé launched her music career as Timbaland’s protégé and is credited as the first artist to usher in the Hip-Hop Desi flavor that has become a mainstay. While under the tutelage of Timbaland, Rajé was featured on what are now considered to be cult, Hip-Hop classics like “Indian Flute” and Jay Z’s “The Bounce” (The Blueprint 2). She also caught the attention of Pharrell Williams, who later featured her w/ Nas on “The Flyest,” as heard on the soundtrack for Charlie’s Angels II: Full Throttle.