Armaan Malik, who first gained fame for singing "Bum Bum Bole" in the 2007 movie "Taare Zameen Par" at the age of 10, has since become a prominent playback singer and independent songwriter. He has collaborated with various artists and recently shared the stage with Ed Sheeran and Marshmello during their India tours. During a recent visit to Bengaluru, Armaan expressed his belief in turning his dreams into reality. He described his evolution as a singer, having navigated through different phases such as being a child singer, teenage pop artist, and entering the Bollywood scene. Looking ahead, he envisions winning a Grammy, performing at Madison Square Garden, and collaborating with artists like Charlie Puth, Zedd, and Justin Bieber. Armaan emphasizes the importance of being prepared for whatever opportunities may come his way. Reflecting on the music industry, he mentions a shift towards creating viral hits over prioritizing quality songs, which he finds concerning. Armaan stresses that a good song cannot be manufactured according to a formula, and emphasizes the need to protect artists' rights in the face of technological advancements that can replicate their voices.I find it both entertaining and concerning that anyone could utilize my texture and voice to release a song. There should be guidelines in place to regulate this. While AI can bring benefits, there must be laws safeguarding artists' rights and preventing technology from diluting the authenticity of music. I strongly believe that tangible elements, such as real instruments and musicians, should always play a vital role in the music creation process. What is natural should remain natural.
Collaborations are an excellent way to merge diverse worlds, fans, and styles. Engaging with another artist is thrilling, but it is crucial to have a genuine connection with that individual. I have a few favorite artists whom I would be thrilled to collaborate with because I appreciate their music and would love to create together. Collaborations are about uniting varied worlds, fans, and styles. The essential aspect is mutual respect and excitement. Without that synergy, a collaboration is unlikely to succeed. I have always looked up to a long list of artists, and fortunately, I have collaborated with many of them. Collaborating with AR Rahman was a dream come true, demonstrating how manifestation can bring dreams to fruition.
Today, a talented individual in a remote village, armed with talent and internet access, can share outstanding content that resonates with people, enabling them to garner an audience and rise to stardom. This is a promising era for independent music in India.
"A playback singer is like a chameleon," said Armaan Malik. Independent music provides substantial creative freedom compared to playback singing. As a playback singer, one often has to adjust their vocal style to match the on-screen character portrayed by the actor. If the actor is older, subtle adjustments are required to synchronize the on-screen charisma and persona with the singer's voice, showcasing the singer's adaptability.
Armaan expressed that singing with Ed was a dream come true.Armaan Malik expressed that performing alongside Ed Sheeran was a humbling experience. Despite Ed Sheeran's worldwide fame, he was remarkably humble and grounded. Their conversations on music, including Indian music, were enjoyable, and Ed expressed a desire to collaborate with more Indian artists. Their bond grew into a close friendship, and Armaan now views Ed as a brother. Recently, Armaan Malik performed to a sold-out crowd at Bharatiya City in Bengaluru.
