From being a welder to an international reggae artiste, Apache Indian aka DJ Steven Kapur has come a long way. The early 90s saw him literally rise like a star with various collaborations including Sean Paul, Backstreet Boys, Shaggy, Asha Bhosle, A.R. Rahman and many more. His latest album Home Run brings together another set of interesting collaborations, marking his comeback in many ways.
For all those who wondered where Apache was gone, he is right here with an album that he thinks suits the market currently and has a touch of Bollywood. “Home Run is all about coming home, coming back to India. Home Run for me is all about Punjab. So I wanted to direct the album towards Punjab, and that’s why the new collaborations are Punjabi,” says Apache.
One of the collaborations includes a track with the legendary music composer A.R. Rahman, with
whom Apache has worked before.
“It has always been a fantastic experience working with someone like him. I visited him at his house and worked with him on a song for the film Love Birds. I also remember doing a dance number with Prabhu Deva in the film. The whole experience meant a lot to me, as it was my first number with Rahman, who is extremely talented,” says Apache, whose favourite track from the Home Run is Om Numah Shivaya, as it’s a love and reggae song. “It’s a prayer for everything and anything that’s wrong,” he says.
One of the most challenging aspects about working on Home Run was the different approach given today’s music dynamics. “The industry has been tough, and has changed with the Internet and other technological advancements. You have to have a different approach to the industry and that’s been a great challenge,” he says.
“Creating the music was fantastic and performing was great. I am glad I’m back with Universal, because that’s my label from the beginning for all my music so at least we have the understanding and the respect for each other. Some of these guys here have worked with me back in the 90s. The industry has changed so we have to adapt to the changes,” Apache explains.
Bollywood and collaborating with artistes like Gurdas Mann is on Apache’s mind now.
“I am busy with a TV and radio show in the UK. I’d like to do a Bollywood show, a new project where I can explore my creativity. Collaborations are a challenge always with different artistes reaching a common goal. I’m more interested in learning Hindi now. I kind of get a gist of Hindi, but I can’t understand every word,” says Apache.
Apache says that he still is a student of music and is quite content with his creative side so far.
“It’s been good. I’m a very creative person; I have my own style of reggae, and it’s my personal thing, which has not been done before. It’s all about doing something new, creating things, trying to use my language, mix of reggae and mix with English in Punjabi style. I’m teaching myself and trying to learn about myself, learn about life through music, so the creative
side is good,” he says, adding, “The fact is that I’m an Indian artiste, who does reggae, and not many
people do that and that’s what’s different about me that I could do reggae and I am accepted in the reggae industry.”