‘It’s like a new journey again’: Apache Indian

Bhangramuffin (Bhangra and ragamuffin) biggie from the UK Apache Indian (Steven Kapur) was in India recently to release his newest single Punjabi Girl (featuring Raftaar) off his upcoming album On The Weekend. How could one not talk to him about songs like Chok There, Arranged Marriage and Boom Shakalaka that any ’90s kid would get nostalgic about? “These three songs still get the crowd going when I perform them. Even the new kids like it,” he tells us. Here, he speaks about completing almost 30 years in the music biz, how he has stayed relevant over the years and more. 

Tell us about the latest song Punjabi Girl...

The song is about trying to please the old-school fans but also bring it up-to-date with the new generation with a fresh melody. I’m really pushing myself out there with Punjabi lyrics on it but in the ragamuffin and reggae kind of way. It was great to have Raftaar feature on it because he put a nice Bollywood twist to it. The energetic, exciting and colourful video reflects the same thing. 

It took me a year-and-a-half to create it because I wanted to make sure I got the Punjabi words correct. I didn’t get the production right for a while for some reason or the other. The producer and I would end up getting into big fights (laughs). 

Chok There and Move Over India released in 1991. How do you look back at these years?

It’s been great. In the 27 years, I have been around the world eight times and worked with artistes as different as Asha Bhosle, AR Rahman, and Raftaar. After learning and doing so much, I opened the Apache Indian Music Academy in Birmingham. It’s open for kids from the streets. We have 300 children and help people find jobs. I am doing things that I’ve been singing and writing about. I see it changing people’s lives. It takes a long time to do that, but it’s like a new journey again. 

How have you ensured to stay relevant as a musician?

Whether musically, lyrically, subject matter or even looks, you need to be to the point. I always work with younger people like Raftaar or Argenil, who can give me fresh sounds that I wouldn’t have heard.  

What can fans expect from your album On The Weekend?

It has a lot of reggae and authentic Punjabi. I’m trying to give the listeners two generations of music: what I created back in time and contemporary. I’m also incorporating a lot of live instrumentation. It’s mature Apache Indian with 2018 sound. 

Any other projects?

The biggest one that I have right now is the Apache Indian movie. I’ve given the script to Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham). It will be based on my life. 

Which Indian artistes have impressed you of late?

Bombay Bassment and DIVINE from Mumbai are great. Argenil Music from Bengaluru have done a remix on Punjabi Girl are good, too.