Bappi Lahiri unveils new global track

After having spent decades in the music industry, Bappi Lahiri still manages to surprise fans. On the occasion of World Music Day, his latest song has made its debut on international charts.

Speaking from the US, the ever-excited Bappi da says, “It’s a very special day. I’ve written and performed a song very close to my heart, called We Are One. I have recorded the song with international musicians in LA and released it on YouTube.”

The veteran singer and music composer feels that the new generation of musicians needs to learn how to appreciate international music as well as traditional Indian music. “I may be known for my western songs such as Jimmi Jimmi and Disco Dancer. But I have also composed raga-based melodies like Saiyyan Bina Ghar Soona, sung by Lata Mangeshkar for the film Aangan Ki Kali, and Dard ki Ragini for the film Pyaas,” he says.

Bappi da says that he couldn’t be happier to still be singing and composing music. “I began my career in 1968. To this day, my songs are played and re-mixed. Last year Karan Johar used my song Tamma Tamma in the movie Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya. The key to longevity is to keep reinventing yourself as an artist. Jimmi Jimmi from Disco Dancer has been honoured in London’s World Book of Records. In its citation, I am described as the originator of disco beats in India. The song has been translated into 45 languages across the world, including Chinese, Russian and Spanish,” he says.