Lankan duo hits global chart

Popular music group CharlesMark sails into the World Chart show bearing the Lankan touch

By Smriti Daniel

Tune into the World Chart show on Yes FM at 10 a.m. this morning, and right there, between JoJo and Snoop Dogg, will be our very own, home-grown and homebred CharlesMark. The popular band last made headlines when they walked away with the Best Singer Statuette after a talent show at the 6th International Festival of Pop held in the Czech Republic.

CharlesMark, comprising Rukshan Mark Lokuge and Bertram Charles, have been together for nearly a decade. Their single – 'Love You (So Much)' – became the first local English song to enter the Sun FM Top 40 chart at No.3. A later single, ‘Barefooted on the Dance Floor’ peaked at No.1 on the same charts.

World Chart Show producer Marijke van Niekerk with Rukshan

Interestingly, ‘Wanna Hold you,’ the song that will be on the radio this morning, is one of the first songs the duo ever collaborated on. In fact, Rukshan has just released a self-titled solo album, though the duo is planning to reunite to produce a CD to mark a decade since they first began.

For Rukshan, the chart breakthrough is something of a dream come true, yet he says they’re already looking to the future – which may hold possible collaborations with Indian icon A.R. Rehman, and producers working with the likes of Celine Dion and Eminem.

World Chart Show producer Marijke van Niekerk has only good things to say about Rukshan’s music. “I am excited to play the music of Sri Lankan duo CharlesMark, and I think they'll soon be garnering new fans from all over the world.

“Their music is fresh and innovative, and still true to their Sri Lankan roots, with local music incorporated into their sexy pop-R&B sound. It's catchy, it's hot, it's truly global,” she said.