Jhalaak's Debut Album Set For Release on May 8th via Bandcamp + Everywhere Else on May 22nd
Watch/Share 'Mustt Mustt' Video HERE
'Mustt Mustt' (Enrapture) the new single from Vancouver artist Ruby Singh's pan-cultural Sufi Hip-Hop project Jhalaak, is out today on all digital platforms.
In a time when Muslims are being persecuted at an alarming rate in India, Jhalaak's second single, 'Mustt Mustt', turns towards India's pluralistic roots and celebration of the incredible Sufi culture, which is woven into the very fabric of India. This song was made popular by the late great Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Massive Attack. Here, Jhalaak has created a contemporary version that brings together a Muslim family (Chugge, Salim and Khette Khan); Canadian born Sikh rapper Ruby Singh, who delivers thoughtful rap interpretations/translations of the Urdu lyrics; and Hindu master drummer of the Nagara, Solanki Nathu Lal.
"The song celebrates Sufi saints and the intoxication their poetry and teachings bring to us," says Ruby Singh. “We shot the video in Rajasthan, India and used the mandalic form to symbolize the interconnectedness between us all.”
Spanning two continents, Jhalaak brings together the powerful sounds of Qawaali (devotional Sufi music from Pakistan and India), Hip-Hop, and EDM. Jhalaak met in Vancouver in 2014 at the Indian Summer Festival when a group of Indian musicians found a kindred spirit in Canadian born Desi Hip-Hop artist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Ruby Singh. And there was also a bit of serendipity involved in the meeting. The Indian musicians are all brothers from the same family, 19th century musicians from a caste called Manganiyars, and are from the same city where Ruby Singh's ancestors migrated from 300 years ago.
'Mustt Mustt' is the second track to be released from Jhalaak's self-titled debut album. Their first single 'Main Naraye Mastana' was released earlier this year. The album will be released on May 8th through Bandcamp and will be available on all other digital platforms on May 22nd.
"In these times where musician's revenue has been decimated, we've made the decision to release the album on Bandcamp only for the first 2 weeks as a fundraiser for the Khan family in Jaisalmere, Rajasthan, where they support a community of 50+ artists through their performances," says Singh. "With India on lockdown, they are trying desperately to raise funds for their community for basic necessities."
Jhalaak's new single 'Mustt Mustt' is available NOW on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services. For more information, please visit: Jhalaak
JHALAAK - JHALAAK
RELEASE DATE: MAY 8th + 22nd, 2020
(Apparatus)
01. Akhiyan : No Peace In My Sight
02. Mustt Mustt : Enrapture
03. Jhalaak : Spark
04. Woh Hata Rahe Hain Parda : Lift The Veils
05. Challa : The Beloved Wanderer
06. Maki Madni : The Last Prophet
07. Kise Da Yaar Na Vichre : The Lost Beloved
08. Sanu Ek Pal Chain Na Ave : No Sliver Of Peace
09. Main Naraye Mastana : Herald Of The Ecstatic
Download High-Res Album Art
JHALAAK IS:
Ruby Singh: Vocals, Production
Salim Khan: Vocals, Algozay, Harmonium
Chugge Khan: Vocals, Kartaal, Bapang, Morchung
Khete Khan: Vocals, Percussion
Adham Shaikh: Production
FOLLOW JHALAAK:
Website | Bandcamp | iTunes | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram
MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/SHARE Jhalaak's 'Mustt Mustt' video HERE
WATCH/SHARE Jhalaak's 'Main Naraye Mastana' video HERE
CLICK HERE for biography, album art + high-res press photos