Arjun Coomaraswamy, the Sri Lankan-born superstar, has taken the music world by storm with his unique fusion of contemporary Western and Eastern sounds. As the most viewed UK Asian Artist on YouTube, his journey from a young, talented artist to a global sensation has been nothing short of remarkable. With over 1.1 billion views on YouTube, a massive social media following, and numerous awards to his name, Arjun’s music transcends boundaries and connects with audiences on a deeply emotional level.
Arjun’s latest cover remake of ‘Oye Ojaye’ with the legendary Gypsies, including the iconic Piyal, has caused a sensation across various social media platforms. Despite the song’s age, it continues to captivate multiple generations in the country. This remake has been making waves on YouTube and other social media channels, setting yet another record-breaking milestone for Arjun.
The Youth Observer had the opportunity to meet this singing sensation and engage in a conversation about his vibrant career thus far and his future plans.
The early days: A musical upbringing
Arjun’s passion for music can be traced back to his early years. Raised in a family that exposed him to Western Jazz and Soul, he received classical training on instruments like the piano and flute. While in school, Arjun explored various musical genres, from rock bands to jazz ensembles. This diverse musical background laid the foundation for his future career as a singer, songwriter, and producer.
“As a child growing up I was exposed to a lot of Western Jazz & Soul music by my mother. I was classically trained on a few instruments like the piano and flute. Then at school I was in a variety of groups including a Rock band, Jazz ensemble and an acoustic R&B duo. I later fell in love with Indian music through my Indian friends at school and university,” he said.
Arjun’s journey to stardom took an unexpected turn in 2011 with his R&B remix of “Why This Kolaveri Di,” a song that swiftly captured the hearts of millions. The success of this remix was a testament to his spontaneous creativity.
“Kolaveri was actually the first time I did a remix of a song on YouTube,” Arjun reveals, highlighting the unscripted nature of this transformative musical endeavor. Prior to this, he had been focused on creating original English songs. The decision to remix the Tamil hit was a serendipitous one.
In a whirlwind of creativity, Arjun crafted the music and filmed the accompanying video within a matter of hours. “I made the music and shot the video in a matter of hours,” he explains, underscoring the impromptu nature of the project. Little did he know that this endeavor would become a game-changer in his life.
The success of “Why This Kolaveri Di” can be attributed to Arjun’s distinctive approach, which encapsulates the core of his musical style: guitar-based soulful R&B. This fusion of elements brought forth a fresh and enchanting rendition of the song, resonating with a broad audience and propelling Arjun into the spotlight. The remix became a manifestation of Arjun’s spontaneous creativity and marked a turning point in his music career.
Fusing Western and Eastern sounds
What sets Arjun apart is his ability to seamlessly blend Western R&B with elements of South Asian music. As a British Asian, Arjun has always lived at the intersection of two worlds, embracing his Western upbringing while staying rooted in his South Asian heritage. This dual identity is the driving force behind his unique fusion of musical styles.
“My life has always been a fusion of two worlds – whether it be in food, culture or music. So it was only natural that my music became a reflection of that. As I mentioned I grew up with different cultural influences, so I have tried my best to incorporate them into my music,” he said.
Arjun has a remarkable ability to breathe new life into existing songs through his captivating cover versions. When it comes to selecting which songs to cover, his process is guided by a deep appreciation for the core essence of the music.
“I tend to go off the melody of the song,” he explains. “If the melody resonates with me and the song affects me emotionally, regardless of language or genre, I am usually drawn to it.” This sentiment in his cover version of “Manike Mage Hithe” reached a million views in just one week.
When a song captures his heart, Arjun embarks on a creative journey to make it uniquely his own. “I then try to bring my own spin to the lyrics and production,” he shares, demonstrating his commitment to infusing a personal touch while preserving what made the original song great in the first place.
Collaboration has been an integral part of Arjun’s journey. By working with other artists, he’s been able to explore new musical styles and create unique sounds. Notable collaborations include “Suit” with Guru Randhawa and “Diamonds” with Vidya Vox. These collaborations have not only enriched his discography but also offered fans an opportunity to experience the amalgamation of diverse musical influences.
Global audience
“It was a great experience working with T-Series. I signed a deal with them in 2014, and they are responsible for marketing my songs to a global audience, in India and all across the Asian diaspora. They are truly a massive marketing machine and I definitely benefited from their scale and reach. My first song ‘I’ll Be Waiting’ was a big hit in India, with almost 100 million views and topping various charts. Another song I did with them ‘Suit’ with Guru Randhawa has over 500 million,” he explained.
Global success and future plans
Arjun’s remarkable online presence, with over 1.1 billion YouTube views and millions of social media followers, reflects the resonance of his music with audiences worldwide. While accolades and awards have been a part of his journey, Arjun’s true validation comes from the unwavering support of his fans.
Speaking about his remarkable online presence he said, “I think it’s a combination of luck, resilience and consistency. I have been very fortunate to resonate with young people across the Asian diaspora, whom I feel connected to my music because they have had a similar cross-cultural upbringing. I am honoured that people have been supporting me for this long and I hope to develop more fans in Sri Lanka also.”
Resilience
As he moves forward, Arjun is set to explore new horizons. His plans include collaborations with Sri Lankan artists, an exciting prospect for both his fans and the local music scene. With various Hindi and English songs in the works, Arjun is poised to continue making his mark on the global music stage.
Arjun’s success story is a testament to the power of resilience, consistency, and the pursuit of one’s passion. He encourages aspiring musicians to work hard, dream big, and never shy away from exploring their passions.
“My advice is to work hard and dream big! As they say, the harder you work, the luckier you get. It’s a bit cliche but I believe this statement stands true. There will always be highs and lows in every career, but often you will learn more about life and about yourself in those low moments. Most importantly if you have a passion, don’t be scared to explore it! Life is short so always find time to do the things that bring you joy,” he said. In an ever-changing music landscape, Arjun continues to stand out as a musician who defies boundaries, uniting cultures and creating timeless melodies. His journey is a reminder that the fusion of diverse influences can yield a beautiful harmony, inspiring the world through the universal language of music.
