Mirror Magazine

By Tharangani Perera

Put on your dancing shoes in salutation, to the addition of that much-needed extra boost to your Friday night, brought to you courtesy of Gajan and Dinesh. What sets them apart from the rest of our local artistes? Let’s pause for a moment, and focus on their debut album ‘Cross Culture’, the latest dash of cinnamon across the kaleidoscope of the Sri Lankan Hip-Hop and R‘n’B industry!

Who are Gajan and Dinesh?

Gajan: We basically are the new faces in the Sri Lankan music scene. We are the first duo to release a Tamil Hip-Hop and R‘n’B fusion album in Sri Lanka. The album is named ‘Cross Culture’ and comprises 12 songs of various themes, such as youth, attitude, family love, relationships and peace. The trilingual album, which speaks to the Tamil, English and Sinhalese speaking masses in Sri Lanka, is scheduled to be released in the near future.

How did you become involved in Hip-Hop and R‘n’B music?

Gajan: I am no stranger to the Sri Lankan Hip-Hop scene, as I was featured on my brother, Krishan Maheson’s, album ‘Asian Avenue’, which was released in 1998. Their songs such as “Smooth Flow”, “Gangsta Rap” and “SL 2030” received lots of airplay on local radio stations. I was introduced to Dinesh by my brother in 2005. I have great hopes in bringing recognition to the Sri Lankan Tamil music industry worldwide, through the production of many original pieces with Dinesh.

Dinesh: I entered the music industry by meeting up with Sri Shyamalangan (a producer under Bathiya and Santhush), after which I released my debut single “Naan Sonnal” in collaboration with Bathiya and Santhush. I was the official Art Director of ‘Asian Avenue’, Rapper Krishan Maheson’s debut album, which was released by Universal Music and M Entertainment. I was also featured on the album’s intro and on the song “Kondattham” along with Gajan. I later joined forces with Gajan and we are both currently working on our debut album ‘Cross Culture’.

What is ‘Cross Culture’?

Gajan: ‘Cross Culture’ is the first Tamil Hip-Hop and R‘n’B album to be released by a duo in this country, and will be launched through Universal Music and M-Entertainment. This project was one of our long term plans, and is based on satisfying the craving of an original fusion of the finest elements of culture. Every song in this album is created with a concept and theme, and not just by throwing out flowing words on catchy rhythms. The album is laced with heartfelt issues such as attitude, brotherhood and family love, nature, youth, culture and peace.

What goes on behind the scenes of ‘Cross Culture’?

Dinesh: ‘Cross Culture’ has some of the best music producers in Sri Lanka working on it. Mainly Eranga Jayawanse, Ranga Jagoda and Yohan Rajapakshe have helped put this fusion album together. We also received help from Bathiya and Santhush, Ranga Dasanayake, Sachith Perera, and Chinthy. Productions are done at SAREGAMA Productions and the Hit Factory. Gajan and I are currently signed up with Universal Music together with M Entertainment for distribution and promotion of ‘Cross Culture’. The lyrics are written mainly by Gajan, Deluxshion and myself. Some of the songs are co-written by Hemasiri Helpita, Ashanthi de Alwis, Randhir Withana and Vimalathithan.

Who are the local artistes featured on ‘Cross Culture’?

Dinesh: Basically, Gajan and I play the main role in this album, while featuring some of the well known, popular faces in the Sri Lankan Music Industry such as Bathiya and Santhush, Ashanthi de Alwis, Randhir Withana, Krishan, Legacy, Hasthi, Mesh, Dishan, Sachith Perera, Pradthap, Sameer D. Kazi, Nuwan and Deluxshion.

What sort of an audience is most likely to respond to ‘Cross Culture’?

Gajan: ‘Cross Culture’ reaches out to the youth of the world. In our songs, we speak to both male and female audiences between ages of 16 and over. This market contains early adopters, who are modern, trendy and look out for new music, which they can associate with their daily lives. We expect that they will be able to closely connect themselves with the music and messages conveyed in ‘Cross Culture’.

How will ‘Cross Culture’ access its targeted audience?

Dinesh: We expect ‘Cross Culture’ to be featured on all local FM radio stations. Additionally, we have allocated budgets for four music videos, which will be played on local and international television channels such as MTV, Z Music, B4U and many more. Besides this, we expect press articles, bill boards, posters, the official cross culture website and other related websites, mobile phone ring tones and concerts to provide significant exposure for the promotion of the album.

Gajan: Promotional materials, designs and personal advertising will be handled by Dinesh, while the marketing and media liaison is done by myself. Our official website was launched very recently and can be accessed on the World Wide Web at www.crossculture2u.com. Currently, we have been featured in some of the community and music based websites such as www.clublk.us and www.sl2uk.com. Our official website will facilitate our fans with downloads, gallery, discography, our future plans and more information.

Tell us a little about the launch of ‘Cross Culture’.

Gajan: The album will be launched in Sri Lanka and India simultaneously on the first week of July 2006 under Universal Music and M Entertainment. There will be a launch party, featuring Bathiya and Santhush, Ashanthi, Chinthy, Randhir and Hasthi. The video will be released three weeks before the album launch to build up the fans’ excitement. The album will be advertised on Channel 01 MTV, Sirasa TV and Shakthi TV through M Entertainment. For further details please call 777-583666 or email geezsmail@gmail.com.