Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

Tuning into a lifestyle

Hip-hop is more than just a genre of music. It's a whole culture, says DJ Titus, with good and bad sides to it

Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

EVEN PACE DJ Titus: `In India there is a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition, which slows down the pace of life, making it more enjoyable and relaxing'

Bangalore's party crowd had an extended weekend as they were treated to some authentic hip-hop and R&B music last weekend. DJ Titus flew down from Singapore to perform at Athena as part of a mobile phone launch. Around in the hip-hop and R&B circuit for more than 13 years, Titus has played at all major clubbing destinations such as Philippines, Malaysia, China and even Latin America. Sunday's event was his second gig in India, and a thrilled Titus was all praise for Bangalore's cosmopolitan culture and readiness to receive new forms of music.

Western influence

Speaking on how he finds Singapore different from India, Titus says: "Singapore is becoming highly westernised and life is becoming so fast-paced that the younger generation is forgetting its roots and sometimes tries to overtake even the western world. There is a lot of development, which is reflected in the music culture, but what I notice is that in India there is a harmonious blend of modernity and tradition, which slows down the pace of life, making it more enjoyable and relaxing. If the club music scene was as happening as it is in Singapore, I wouldn't think twice before shifting base here."

The hip-hop and R&B genres of music have constantly come under the whip of the moral police worldwide, who claim that this brand of music promotes negative lifestyles. Titus says: "Hip-hop is not just a genre of music, it is more of a culture that has its origin in the eastern part of New York. Every culture has its good and bad parts, and some artistes project the happy, bright side of this culture, while others reveal the darker elements. This holds true for any genre of music." He explains further: "There are artistes who make alternative rock music and talk about drugs. And then there are the new-age metal artistes who sing songs about violence and underage sex. I would advise these critics to look into their own backyards before blaming others."

Speaking in a lighter vein about the global popularity of hip-hop and R&B, Titus says: "The so-called pop music artistes are collaborating with R&B artistes and releasing mash-up tracks. Everyone from J Lo to Carlos Santana is moulding the music to give it an R&B flavour. The moment a particular genre of music inspires the pop music of the time, it means good times are ahead. And personally, I do see an increase in the number of clubbers who attend my parties, some of them are above the age of 30, and still shake their legs with the same expertise as that of a bubbly eighteen year old."

Titus was in the city as part of the launch party for Nokia's N91 music phone. As part of the launch, Nokia has kicked off a nationwide talent contest to identify "India's most influential artiste", where you can vote for your favourite local music artiste or singer through a poll.

A. VISHNU

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail