Amar is a pioneering singer/songwriter who after a short hiatus is returning with a glamorous new look and refreshing Indo-Urban pop album, Show It Off. The long-awaited album has been in the works for 12 months and features Amar at her creative best, singing exclusively in Hindi to a backdrop of urban R&B beats.
Having worked with the likes of Talvin Singh and Nitin Sawhney, Amar is the now the sizzling Indian muse of internationally acclaimed American superstar multi platinum producer, Timbaland (who has also worked with Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliott, Nelly Furtado, Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, Madonna, 50 Cent and Jenifer Lopez, to name just a few) and features on his multi-platinum album Shock Value.
She is also currently working with frequent Timbaland collaborator, the hottest US export producer, songwriter, vocal producer and musician, Jim Beanz (who has also worked with Britney Spears, Nelly Furtado, Craig David, Ashlee Simpson, Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Hudson and recently wrote and produced the 2008 Eurovision song contest winner, Believe for Russia and performed by Dima Bilan). Amar featured on Jamie Foxx and Chris CornellÕs recent albums, as well as in two more songs for the upcoming new Timbaland album Shock Value 2, while he makes a special feature in Show It Off.
Amar's provocative Hindi lyrics, sultry voice and classic style of singing, most notably on TimbalandÕs sensational single Bombay and Nelly FurtadoÕs chart-busting remix, Maneater prompted a dazzling performance at BBC Proms Electric and has helped bring Indian music back into the mainstream spotlight.
Despite her hiatus, AmarÕs love of creating music never escaped her. After taking the time to find the right creative and management team to work with, she signed with US-based management company, Sunset Entertainment Group and is currently touring India with Jim Beanz and American boy band Rebel. She will also record two songs with award-winning Bollywood playback singer and pop star, Sonu Nigam.
Amar grew up in Walsall, West Midlands and has music running in her blood, thanks to her father, the legendary singer Mangal Singh, whose phenomenal hit single Rail Gaddi is a global Punjabi anthem. Amar herself catapulted to fame as a young girl with her hit single Tu Hai Mera Sanam, a Hindi cover of Dolly PartonÕs I Will Always Love You, which has also been covered by Whitney Houston.
In her teens she moved to London and discovered the Asian underground scene. Amar collaborated with Talvin Singh and features in the remarkable song Jaan on his album, Talvin Singh Presents Anokha Soundz of the Asian Underground. Soon after, she was snapped up by Geoff Travis, who at the time was with Warner Brothers UK, making her the first British Asian girl to be signed by a major record label.
The groundbreaking signing made headlines and she was tipped to be the hottest new artist on the Asian music scene. Her debut album, Outside, produced by Nitin Sawhney and Robin Millar, was a huge success and the single Sometimes It Snows in April fast became a must-play track in the club circuit.
However, soon after the album was released Amar decided to take a break from music. Her recent return to the music scene and her highly anticipated album has already sparked much interest from the industry, with critics and fans both eager to hear AmarÕs new sound.
Amar: In terms of my own performance, the album is in Hindi. I made a conscious decision that I wanted to make a Hindi album. I love this album, where else have you heard an album which features the best of the east and the west - the list of collaborations that I have managed to bag are incredible! Production by Timbaland Productions' Jim Beanz and Charlie Hype and collabs with the likes of Sonu Niigaam, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, my father Mangal Singh and Apache Indian. I am very lucky ;-) You have to hear it! It's future-sounding music.
Amar: Timbaland is a genius. It's as simple as that.... His ideas and the speed at which he works at - it's through the roof. When I was growing up, he fast became my favourite producer because whenever I latched onto an artiste that I liked, I would read their album sleeves and they would almost always be produced by Tim. The funny thing is, I had a strong feeling once, when I was listening to 'Oh no' by Justin Timberlake, that one day I would work with Tim. Call it the Law of Attraction I guess.
Amar: The Asian Underground was a movement that happened in London a few years back. It was a crazy time, you would walk into a club and see saris draped all over the walls, girls in saris and trainers and bindis on their foreheads. From the speakers you would hear sharp drum n bass beats with swirly Indian vocals all over them. It was a mad time, suddenly anything to do with Indian culture became super cool. It was all very underground and cult-y whereas now I think it's all becoming mainstream. I haven't experienced a scene exactly like this in the US as of yet but that's probably because I'm holed up writing and recording most of the time!
Amar: I would love to work with Justin Timberlake or Prince!
Amar: Please go out any buy this album, you wont regret it!! (I'm hoping ;-)
Please buy from proper sources and iTunes/Amazon, don't illegally download, this will help your favourite artistes to keep making music. And finally, thank you for your constant support - it doesn't go un-noticed. Sorry for the long wait, I hope it's worth it!
And listen and lemme know what you think !! - www.facebook.com/amarmusiconline [1]
[3] Links:
[1] http://www.facebook.com/amarmusiconline
[2] http://www.twitter.com/amarmusiconline
[3] http://my.asiancemagazine.com/2010/03/02/amar--bringing-bollywood-music-to-hollywood