By Dimithri Wijesinghe
Dinesh Kanagaratnam, now better known as ADK, is an artist who needs no introduction in Sri Lanka, being best known for his version of Surangani. Having worked on multiple projects with industry legends Bathiya and Santhush (BnS), and moving on to collaborate with legendary Oscar-winning composers like A.R. Rahman, it is safe to say that Dinesh is a Lankan success story of the nth degree.
Despite making a smooth transition from Sri Lankan R&B/hip-hop artist and music producer who has composed tracks in Tamil, to collaborating with music directors in Tamil cinema as a playback singer, Dinesh has continued to create and perform while keeping home close to his heart.
While things have been a little quiet on ADK’s front with regard to music, we found out that what we’ve been experiencing is the calm before the storm. As we reached out to Dinesh to know what he’s been up to, he revealed that there’s something brewing and it’s not going to disappoint.
Below are excerpts of his interview with The Sunday Morning Brunch.
As an artist of Lankan origins with a global citizenship who has never failed to make big waves, things have been a little quiet lately. What’s life been like these days, and what have you been up to?
Currently, I am based in Singapore and the country really keeps me busy with my projects. Recently, I signed a new record and management deal with Salt Haus Records based in India. We work remotely, yet we keep it real professional.
Salt Haus Records proposed this plan and finally I am revealing it to my fans in Sri Lanka. Yes, I took a small break from releasing new content and during this time, Salt Haus Records’ in-house record producers Quazi Mode and Dutty Deedz teamed up with me to produce a whole EP (extended play). A mini album, I would say, and we produced the entire EP in just a month.
The EP contains seven songs and we are ready to release the first single, Insta Life, produced by Quazi Mode, by the end of October. The music video shoot for Insta Life will happen within a week's time, directed by local Singaporean director Rishi Varman.
We managed to bring in one of the upcoming creative choreographers Shruthi Nair to be featured in the video as well. The EP is currently under the final stage of mixing and mastering. We will be releasing it in 2021. The EP also features our Sri Lankan talent Yohani in a song called Rider Fighter.
You were inspired by Malaysian rappers when you first got started. Why do you think there aren’t many Lankan Tamil-language rappers and why isn't anyone established in the mainstream?
Yes, I was inspired by Malaysian rap artiste Yogi B and I am very sure that till date, there is no Tamil rap album that can replace his work, in my opinion.
I can’t say that there are not many Tamil rappers in Sri Lanka, as I have come across many young rappers who are craving the right opportunity.
I found this rapper called Magz, who is a Sri Lankan Tamil; TKP is a Sri Lankan team too; and Jeev, one of the members from that team, is an amazing rapper. Krish Manoj from the team is also working hard to rap and one day, they all will stand out big for sure.
We do not have any channels that genuinely help these artistes or dedicate a programme to showcase their talent. It is always filler content and that needs to change. Anyway, now that we have YouTube, everyone is allowed to showcase their talent to grab the right kind of attention.
You’ve said that you were not exposed to American hip hop early on, and so it has helped create your unique sound. Do influencers really play a key role in building a musician’s style? Tell us a little about your own personal style preference when it comes to lyrics and rapping.
I never had an interest in rap music at the early stage nor did I even know that the genre existed. That is the main reason I didn’t listen to American hip hop. I didn’t know how to rap and that was my selling point. I created my own flow and tone. I have a very high-touching tone, which is my biggest plus point, and I can’t read or write Tamil.
Whatever I feel, I write down in English, and that helps me to build a different type of wordplay with my lyrics. I break flows every two bars and I am one of the rap artistes who can do harmonies in my flows.
What are your thoughts on Sri Lanka’s infrastructure for up-and-coming musicians? Is it at all possible for real talent to break through?
Well, the industry needs to change and I have been hearing that for the past 20 years from our senior musicians too. Sri Lankan Tamil music will only grow if we have our own industry, and for that, everyone needs to be united.
Honestly, Tamil rappers from Sri Lanka can excel if they focus more on digital marketing and also learn how the music business actually works. Just rapping won’t help anymore; knowing the business will help them to prevent unwanted complications as well. If I can make it, others can make it 100%.
You’ve had great success internationally. What was the turning point in your career where you knew you could pursue music as a profession?
Music is still my second profession, to be very honest, and I am still not international. A small Tamil community living in a different country listening to my music doesn’t make me an international artiste, and I never considered myself one.
The day my music or any Tamil rapper’s song gets played on an international broadcasting platform, hits the Billboards, or our talent is noticed by any international rapper featuring us, is when we can call ourselves international.
But I knew my career was in good hands right after I featured for A.R. Rahman. I am very proud that I managed to do it and I am very thankful for that.
You grew up in Sri Lanka and have Lankan parents. What has their response been to this somewhat unconventional path you have chosen?
My parents are my strength and weakness. My appa (father) is my ultimate supporter and is extremely proud about whatever I do.
They have no clue about what I do or how I do it. My amma (mother) appreciates the smallest things I do and she has no clue about music as well. My parents are still in Sri Lanka and they will be in Sri Lanka as always.
Colombo 15 is my hub and I will never take that out of my life. Their response is always positive, even though they haven’t stepped into any recording studio, watching their son record.
What does it mean to be an artiste from a small island nation making it big on the international stage?
I carry my virtual national flag in my heart; I’m proud every time I get on stage to perform. Never in my wildest dreams did I think even 100 people who I don’t know in person would know me. That is the biggest blessing. Well honestly, I represent Sri Lanka no matter what, and any stage is beautiful as long as people enjoy us.
You’ve performed concerts with BnS in Sri Lanka. Do you feel a difference performing in Sri Lanka compared to elsewhere? And speaking of BnS, how integral were they in building your career and how much of Sri Lanka do you hold onto when you create music?
I realised my talent first and I needed a push to take it forward; BnS was a huge blessing to me as they put me to perform on stage for the very first time.
I still can remember how Santhush Aiya made fun of me in a sweet way about the office pants I was wearing to perform. I was literally shivering the first day; it was 2004, I still remember that.
I still don’t feel a difference performing with them as I am still scared to stand beside them and perform. Bathiya Aiya is my biggest critic and because of him, I learnt how to be bold.
My first album “Cross Culture” fully happened in the BnS studio, and trust me, they did not charge even five cents from me. Which company or artiste would do that? And they were peaking even at that time.
To those who wish to follow in your footsteps, what would you recommend they must absolutely do?
Always be kind to people, be respectful to everyone, and always obey your belief. Constantly think positive things and keep your mind focused. Do whatever you want, but return back to who you want to be. Remember to always be grateful to the people who helped you and even if you have any miscommunication with them, never put them down at any given point as they helped you when you needed them.
On a closing note, could you possibly drop some names and draw some attention to any Lankan talent you’ve noticed or believe to have potential?
I see a lot of potential in Krish Manoj from TKP and he is one solid kid who knows how to market himself and also create good content. He has been striving very hard to become a well-known musician and I wish him all the success. Not forgetting the entire TKP team – they are really talented and very close to my heart. There are many others too who have potential, and one of them is Magz.