INSIDE DESIXPRESS: AUGUST 2017 ISSUE No.225
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Two Kapoors - PG 33
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ROACH KILLA
THE YYZ PROJECT
The Boy with the Top Knot - PG
32
Roach Killa, the Canadian desi rapper and music maker, recently released the YYZ project alongside Blitzkrieg. The project consists three brand new tracks of of different genres as well as a monologue and three music videos. Although their names are now widely recognised throughout the Asian music scene,
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HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
Tell us about your new venture could relate to. the YYZ Project. What change in the Canadian YYZ is actually the area code music scene have you witnessed? for Toronto airport, it was chosen For starters there’s more youth because we came from Toronto, involved in the scene as there’s Canada. When we were coming more resources. We had no up the scene wasn’t active, it was internet growing up or YouTube far behind the UK Asian scene. or We social media. Now kids don’t had to leave Toronto in order sit to be and watch MTV or BritAsia, successful in our careers. Before they look at their timeline. It’s allowed we came about no one really kids to connect and for music recognise Toronto so we had to to put go viral. it on the map. You’re also featuring on the What was it like working with upcoming Prabh Gill single, Blitzkrieg? what can your fans expect from We came from the same city this release? and have over 1000 songs Prabh hit me up and told me recorded together. The reason we there’s a track I want to do decided to do this project was with you. I told him I don’t work because we’re both Canadian on the and artist’s brand but on the merits wanted to give something back of the song. He sent me the song to the fans without charge, hence and I liked it and we flew out why it’s a free download. It’s three to Vancouver to shoot the music different songs and three different video, filmed by Gifty who videos and it was released directs on the all of Honey Singh’s videos. 30th June because July 1st We was had a blast, there was fun Canada Day. and chemistry on the shoot and Tell us about the three different I’m very excited for when it comes tracks. out. Heartbroken recently broke They are all different, one is 10m views, what was that like? influenced by Bollywood where we rap in Hindi called Kala Gora. Amazing. We always knew The the song was special but it song ‘Can’t stop me now’ is wasn’t over a Drake and Nicki Minaj beat. until the public heard it that I knew We wanted to deliver something how special. Sometimes you’re different but give the Toronto confused but have to go with flavour. The third song Hold your gut feeling. The song had You has gone out as a single and actually been leaked four years was decided to drive the project. ago but I just left it, knowing I In your opinion, why do many would eventually come back to it. South Asian Canadian artists Because it was leaked, I wanted to struggle to find success? bring something new and special 10 years ago there was so me and Gary experimented resources or infrastructures and decided to get a female in singer place to promote your music on it. We could bring on the on usual a national level. Canada is names or bring in someone huge, new, it takes three days to drive completely out of left field then from Toronto to the west coast for decided on Naseebo Lal. example. Canada itself is a Any final comments? new country. Asians have been A huge thank you to the whole in the UK for generations now but UK industry for supporting in me, Canada, we were still fresh especially as I came from the on the scene and community. The outside. Thank you to the fans community was built by the without whom I would be nothing. elders and not directed towards the My only advice to others out youth there so the Asian youth became more is that whatever you’re doing, be connected to the UK and the UK original and be yourself. Only asian music scene. The music you was understand your goal, believe cool with a western touch that in we yourself and your dreams.
Local ABCC Executive Appointed to Grenfell Task Force
Bazmee - PG 32
Shakrukh Khan's Gift for Salman
PG 30
Jagga Jasoos - PG 30
INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS ROUND UP
HOMELESS HEROES PG 2
Aftab Chughtai selected to take a leading role
Aftab Chughtai of the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) has been selected to take a leading role in the Grenfell Recovery Taskforce, where he will work with others to ensure the victims and others affected by the tragic fire get the right support. The executive committee member, who has been on the ABCC for the past ten years, was appointed by the Government as one of a four-member
team to oversee the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s longterm recovery plan. The burning of the Grenfell Tower saw 80 people lose their life and hundreds of others injured and displaced after the high rise caught fire on June 14th. It received worldwide coverage for weeks in the aftermath and stirred a serious look into how councils operate accommodation, particularly with
COVENTRY STUDENT HELPS FLEEING FAMALIES PG 16
Continued on page 2
EID MUBARAK FROM THE ASIAN TODAY TEAM
5 REASONS WHY WE LOVE JAGGA JASOOS PG 22