Arjun Coomaraswamy: Sri Lankan born R&B Artist in UK

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As a new artist emerges the talents within him brings a connection, to not only the artist himself, but the fans. Arjun first captured the public’s eye as he released his R&B English Remix to ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’ on December 11th 2011. The song ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’ changed his life. From then on he has been nominated for many awards and has won some, such as Best Urban Act at the UK Asian Music Awards. Arjun started his music career in London, UK. He also won the award for best newcomer at the Brit Asian Music Awards Festival last year.  The album he produced for the Hindi film Shivali had won two awards at Global Indian Awards last year as well.  

He studied at Point Black Music College in London. Not only can he sing but he can also play an array of instruments such as the guitar, piano, flute and drums. He was in many bands before his career, after he started to write and produce for other artists in the UK agency.

Arjun was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka.  His mother is Sinhalese and father Tamil. Arjun comes from a talented background.  As he was growing up he was inspired by the many talents within his family.  Before becoming a popular artist his life was normal. He began to work for a record label, called Mercury Records, which led him to fulltime singing. Arjun is now working on two new songs; one Punjabi fusion song and a Sinhalese remix to Oye Ojaya for the Sri Lankan Market.  Arjun admires many R&B artists such as Usher, Lola Jones, 112, etc. The one artist that has inspired him the most is Ryan Lesley. He responded to the following questions I posed to him during the interview.

Is this what you wanted to be growing up?

“I was into music, art, and cricket. My favorite passion was cricket I wasn’t sure which one I would be, but it is all in the nature.”

 Are you up for another tour in US? Perhaps Boston?

“Actually we are supposed to come down there around March. Definitely want to come down there.

Most Memorable moments: World Cup Song with Bathiya and Santhush, Opening ceremony of SPL, also shot the video for the World Cup Song.  It was shooting with Lasith Malinga.

Embarrassing moments:  Did a couple of Bhangara gigs 4 years ago and there were only 4 or 6 people there.

What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring teens/ fans?

Find something that is different.  Try to be yourself don’t copy others and write music that is true to you, for music. If you have a passion for something if even it’s not traditional like medicine or becoming a lawyer just believe in yourself you can do anything you want.

 Random Questions

Favorite Food: Thai/ Malaysian Food

Ideal Vacation spot: Sri Lanka and Maldives

What do you look for in a girl?: Sense of humor, appreciate me for who I am and not because I am a singer. Also someone who gets along with family, that’s where it all starts.

Favorite Musical instrument: Guitar and Drums

Celebrity Crush:  Bollywood Actress: Priyanka Chopra

Out of all your songs what song do you like the most: Stargazer or Kolaveri.

By: Chirusha de Mel

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