Known for his dynamic performances and keen musical instincts, Deejay Shadow Dubai is a music producer who effortlessly gets the crowd moving to his beats. Hailing from Dubai, this artist is constantly on the move and recently showcased his talents at the ‘Bollywood Night’ in Mi-a-mi, the club at Pune’s JW Marriott. Notably, he has recently collaborated with Guru Randhawa and Pitbull on the track titled “Slowly Slowly.” Deejay Shadow Dubai is also the founder of Shadow Experience, a collective that brings together artists, producers, songwriters, and DJs to create and support Bollywood music on a global scale. Some of his other popular works include “Aaja ni aaja,” “Move your body,” “Champagne train,” “Saari saari raat,” “Rich,” and various official remixes.

In a recent interview, Deejay Shadow Dubai shared insights into his musical journey:

**Earliest Musical Memory:**

Growing up in Dubai, a melting pot of cultures, music played a pivotal role in the fusion of East and West. This environment not only forms one of my earliest memories of music but also lays the foundation for my career. The sound of “Slowly Slowly” is a prime example of this cultural blend that captivated me at a young age. Collaborating with two giants from the East and the West, Guru Randhawa and Pitbull, is a privilege.

**Decision to Pursue Music Full Time:**

Music has always been in my blood. Initially working in the events industry, I contemplated my life’s path as a teenager. My exposure to DJ sets and passion for music, cultivated during events, sparked a deep interest. Transitioning from DJing to music production was a natural progression driven by my profound passion. There wasn’t a specific moment but a gradual realization that music was my calling.

**Musical Inspirations:**

Inspiration is omnipresent, drawn from life experiences and encounters with people worldwide. Traveling allows me to explore diverse sounds that can be incorporated into my music. It strikes when least expected—sometimes waking up with a particular sound in mind. Collaborating with artists like Sean Paul, Bohemia, Jay Sean, Badshah, Guru Randhawa, and Pitbull brings unique experiences to the creative process.

**Challenges in Music Production:**

As a DJ, standing out amidst a sea of remixes and mashups poses a significant challenge. It takes time to find one’s unique sound, identify the target audience, and understand what works. The prevalence of song remakes in the market limits our sets, as original compositions are scarce.

**Evolution of Work Since the Beginning:**

My journey started with a desire to blend Bollywood and electronic music, an unconventional combination at the time. Initially, I focused on remixes, garnering positive responses and securing spots in the top 10 of the BBC Asian Network. The progression continued into mashups and now includes original music, paving the way for international collaborations like “Slowly Slowly,” “Move your body,” and “Aaja ni aaja.”

**Upcoming Projects:**

Following the success of “Slowly Slowly,” I am thrilled about touring and sharing this song with fans. Anticipate more original music this year as collaborations take center stage, uniting the world through music and bringing Indian music to a global audience. Stay tuned for some exciting projects in the pipeline.

While the Indian music industry boasts numerous women playback singers, the realm of music composers has seen fewer female artists. In 2009, a talented 18-year-old with a keyboard, mouth organ, guitar, and tambourine captivated television audiences, making it to the semi-finals of the reality show India’s Got Talent. Today, Jasleen Royal from Ludhiana is renowned for consecutive hits like “Nachde ne saare” (Baar Baar Dekho), “Love you zindagi” (Dear Zindagi), and “Din shagna da” (Phillauri). What sets Royal apart is not just her vocals but also her role as the composer behind many of these hits. The latest additions to her Bollywood repertoire include “Teri dastaan” from Yash Raj Films’ Hichki and “Laaj sharam” from Veere Di Wedding.

In a recent interview, Jasleen Royal shared her journey:

**Origin in Indie Music:**

Commencing with indie music, her debut track “Panchi ho jaavaan” became a hit, earning her an MTV award. Despite her flourishing Bollywood assignments, Royal values her independent compositions, emphasizing that she continues to compose whenever time permits. She emphasizes the importance of never ceasing creativity and staying true to one’s passions.

**Women in Music Composition:**

Reflecting on the scarcity of women music composers in India, Royal attributes it to the lack of role models in the field. She believes that aspiring women composers need more names to admire and follow, fostering inspiration and encouragement to embark on a career path filled with challenges.

**Role Model and Family Support:**

For Royal, family support played a crucial role. She emphasizes the need for families to provide wings to their daughters for them to succeed. Growing up, there was no discrimination between her and her brother, allowing her talent to flourish.

**Commercial Success:**

Royal views commercial success as a gradual process rather than an instant achievement. She highlights that a song’s journey to becoming a hit can take weeks, months, or even more than a year. This gradual success keeps artists grounded and focused on future projects.

**Working on Film Compositions:**

Working on compositions for films presents a more challenging landscape as it involves catering to a storyline and a director’s vision. Royal acknowledges the cinematic medium’s power to communicate and connect with a broader audience.

**Academic Background:**

Admitting to being a “bad student,” Royal completed her B.Com (Hons) from Delhi University. The decision was primarily driven by her desire to move out of Ludhiana and pursue music in the capital.

**Upcoming Projects:**

Following her contributions to Hichki and Veere Di Wedding, Royal is set to work on upcoming projects like Gully Boy, directed by Zoya Akhtar and starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, as well as Gulab Jamun, Anurag Kashyap’s film possibly featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan in lead roles.