While in an exclusive chat with The Pioneer, Rika, the young pop sensation, not only takes us through her creative process, but also shares the not-so-glamourous parts of her tours, being a trendsetter in her community abroad, and more.
SHIKHA DUGGAL
Rika, the young pop sensation has been paving her own path and how! As we get the chance to interview the young musician, she provides us with some insights into her creative process, which was definitely a little bonus to us.
The information that the artiste, who was signed by Warner Music India as its first developing artist recently shared with us, was definitely an asset when writing a feature article on her, after we conducted our research, and developed some command over what she does.
Between her tour schedule, slightly taxing for her but she nailed the interview time with us. She imparts, “It’s not my first time in India — my father was born in Delhi. His side of the lineage belongs to Agra, basically. Whenever I am on a family tour with him, he doesn’t leave a chance to show me where has he mostly grown up. Especially, his fondest place which happens to be the cricket ground!”
She’s no small-time artist, also known to be an eastern European songwriter, Rika’s priority is her recording sessions. She updates us some more, “I can really recall how my grandparents were so much into B-town music. And, when it comes to me — I have a liking for pop music! Let’s not forget that so many of the greatest pop acts come from art-college roots. Look at King, he’s trending in the country. When I heard of his collaboration with Nick Jonas, it egged me on too.”
Still buzzing from the recent successes, the irrepressible Rika who is based in London also shares on the lines of Hooked (Hot Stuff) — her latest track, “I had been yearning to work with the Galantis, always was a supporter of how they create music. My bucket list moment was coming true, a collaboration with the lied ahead. What we did is, we interloped Donna Summer’s track called Hot Stuff into our song with a twiddle. The hook line goes, instead of looking for someone who’s hot stuff in 2023, you are the hot stuff. Bam, bam.”
Transporting us furthermore into her world, we discovered, “I love songwriting as much as I love to sing. What’s more important for me is to be in tandem with the production label. I search for inspiration in moments that I can speak about out loud! The issues we are afraid to have a discussion on, or something that we can’t admit to our own selves — those, right there are my sources to lyrics. And then comes the amusing aspect, to write about something not-so-serious because I take life with a pinch of salt.”
Singing a song with an international icon is a big deal, she was also inspired by her idol. Something that motivated her to hit the ground running so soon in her life. Yes, sometimes, there are not so glamourous parts of the tours that she takes. For example, “I continue to meditate about the long hours. Coming over to Goa from my hometown took me twenty long hours for a gig, can you imagine? Including a layover in Bombay, just by the way. Most of the time, I am touring with my brother and he literally sleeps anywhere! On the other hand, I’ll be holding back for the lights to be switched off and fellow passengers to be extremely quiet.”
She really entertains her audience, because she even looks the part. Do you know what we mean? Rika’s look of the music is very impactful as her voice is! She’s a trendsetter in her community abroad, creating huge viral moments. She explains her fad for it, “The colour of my hair, my exclusive statement pieces and wearing innovative lines helps me express myself even more when on the stage. In my childhood, was obsessed with barbie dolls and Bratz! Why the obsession, you ask? The fashion coverage. I always want to be dressed up exactly like a barbie doll! To be honest with you, fashion means the world to me even at such a young age. It makes you look conceptually cool and culturally important. I don’t have to utter a word to introduce myself, the way I dress is my encounter with the world.”
Talent alone didn’t get this younger self this far, she consistently honed her craft and is learning new techniques to truly contend in today’s music industry. We welcome you to India, Rika!
