In a fascinating conversation with The Pioneer, Kazinama, who’s redefining the boundaries of music, we dive into the heart of his creative process, where classic melodies meet cutting-edge innovation, the success of his latest Ahista Ahista and more
Tejal Sinha
Kazinama’s musical journey is nothing short of extraordinary, blending the soulful essence of classic melodies with a bold, modern twist. A master of fusing genres, Ahista Ahista, for instance, has not only captured global attention but also resonated deeply with audiences around the world. His ability to weave together vintage sounds with fresh, innovative production techniques has made him a true trailblazer in the music industry. “Generally, how I make music can vary,” he begins this exclusive chat with The Pioneer, noting that there is no one right or wrong way to approach music production. For Ahista Ahista, his process started with crafting the music first. The influence of Bollywood music is apparent in Ahista Ahista and Kazinama saw the fusion of the two genres as a way to create something unique. “The song gradually transitions to different music and I really liked that flow,” he adds, describing it as a journey. The track was not just a song for him; it was an evolving experience, one that he described as a journey, reflecting his deep personal connection to the music.
When asked about his creative process for Ahista Ahista, he delves into the core of what made the track stand out. “I never thought it would resonate on such a global scale. I started with the drum groove, and I’m heavily influenced by soul, R&B and jazz elements. The music was already rooted in soul, but adding Hindi lyrics created something unique for Indian audiences,” he says. As he worked through various chord progressions and synth elements, Kazinama approached the track as a puzzle, with each new musical element fitting into the larger picture.
His ability to strike a balance between honoring the essence of a song while giving it a fresh twist is also a hallmark of his remixes. When discussing his approach to remixes, he reveals that his goal is always to preserve the original soul of the track. “If you see my remixes, they’re a bit different from the typical DJ or producer remix. Most DJ remixes use a four-on-the-floor beat, but I don’t see myself as just remixing a track—I see it as an opportunity to tell my version of the song.” Kazinama’s approach is rooted in storytelling, treating each remix as a full-fledged song rather than just an altered version of the original. This mindset allows him to preserve the emotional essence of the track while giving it his personal twist. “I arrange music from a song perspective, not just a remix,” he reflects.
His extensive experience as a session guitarist and bass player has undoubtedly influenced his musical choices, especially in terms of instrumentation and arrangement. He shares that his love for live music has played a significant role in his sound. “I’ve been in the industry for 15 years and I’ve played nearly 2,000 shows with artists across the globe,” he says. Despite being primarily a guitar player, his deep connection to bass shines through in his music.
Despite not anticipating the track’s massive reception, he has some insights into why the song resonated so powerfully with listeners, particularly on platforms like Instagram. “I think the virality comes from the fact that the music is novel. It’s packaged in a fresh way—soul music with vintage elements,” he says. He believes that the song’s lyrics also played a crucial role. The poetic nature of the words, which explore themes of travel and journey, resonates with listeners in a personal way. “Poetry is all about different interpretations, and I think people saw the lyrics through their own lens, which helped them connect to the song,” he adds. The visual component of the video, which integrates Japanese anime elements, further amplified the song’s appeal to the younger generation, particularly the 18-25 age group. Kazinama notes that these visuals, combined with the familiar melody, created a unique and compelling experience. “The melody was already embedded in their subconscious from Bollywood’s past renditions, but my version brought something new,” he explains.
As we transition into the next segment of the conversation, Kazinama reflects on how his work has been shaped by his deep love for classic melodies and timeless hits. He points to his ongoing exploration of vintage sounds, drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Lata Mangeshkar, but with a modern twist. “I always find people subconsciously connected to these melodies. The challenge is to put them in the right context, creating something that feels fresh yet familiar,” he shares. For Ahista Ahista, he created the music first before searching for the right melody, choosing a lower pitch for the original vocals to blend better with the modern arrangements. “It’s not rocket science,” he says modestly, “It’s just about feeling what works best.”
While discussing the challenges that arose during the production process, he candidly opens up about the technical hurdles he encountered. “In the second part of the song, there’s a chord progression I heard in a sample library that I really wanted to use,” he recalls. To replicate the chord exactly, he spent two hours on guitar, painstakingly figuring out the exact sound before modifying the sample to match his vision. “That was probably the biggest challenge in the song. The rest of the journey was pretty fun for me, though.”
Kazinama’s remixes, such as Je Tu Akhiyan De Samne and Gulam Ali Classics, are celebrated for preserving the essence of the original songs while offering something new. Reflecting on his approach to reimagining these timeless tracks, he says, “I see music as storytelling. I don’t just remix; I create a fresh perspective, using elements that speak to me while preserving the heart of the original piece.” He also shares the personal story behind his remix of Gulam Ali’s songs, revealing how his father’s love for Gulam Ali’s music inspired him during the lockdown. “I thought, maybe I can give this a new perspective, something that connects the younger generation to the depth of the original poetry,” he says.
His collaboration experiences with renowned artists like Kailash Kher, Raeth, Farhan Saeed and Suryaveer, have also left a lasting impact on his musical journey. Most of these collaborations happened during live shows, where he was deeply inspired by the artists’ stage presence and their ability to engage the audience.
Over the years, Kazinama has expanded his musical influences, which range from heavy metal to neo-soul and jazz. He attributes his sound to a combination of various genres and artists. “From Metallica to Robert Glasper, Daft Punk and Gulam Ali, I’ve been influenced by so many different styles,” he says. His musical exploration has allowed him to grow and experiment, drawing inspiration from both Western and Indian music. “I’m not confined to any genre—I like whatever resonates with me. If it sounds good to my ear, it’s good for me.”
Despite his success, he remains grounded and humble about his journey. He reflects on some of the challenges he faced as a guitarist, particularly when he wanted to experiment with keyboard-based chord progressions. “Being a guitarist, I always faced a challenge when it came to working with keys,” he shares. “But I found a way around that by using a midi guitar converter, which allowed me to play keyboard chords on my guitar. It was a breakthrough for me.” Through trial and error, Kazinama has found ways to overcome these technical hurdles, which has only fueled his creativity and passion for music.
