Renowned Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu’s daughter Shannon K is following her father’s footsteps. After the huge success of her first music album Perpetual in 2017, this singer-songwriter just released her newest single OMT featuring Sonu Nigam. The 17-year-old was born in India, raised in the UK, and is currently pursuing her career in Los Angeles.
Excerpts from an email interaction...
Could you tell us about your upcoming single OMT featuring Sonu Nigam?
OMT (One More Time) is a teen love song, that is full of pure innocence. It will give you an insight into what girls/boys do these days when they love someone.
How was it working with Sonu Nigam? Any memorable incidents that you’d like to share with us?
It was a very memorable experience to work with a legend whose songs I’ve always loved listening to. We didn’t know if Sonu sir would even agree to come on board and sing a few lines but he did and he loved our passion towards music. Annabel (my sister) and I got to learn so much from him as an artist and as a human being. I think, after dad, if there is someone super talented yet down-to-earth, it is Sonu sir. It was an honour working with him and I can’t wait to work with him again.
As for the memorable incidents that occurred during our recording session, there are two that I would like to recount. Sonu sir had asked us what the song was about and if it was based on a true life experience. So my sister started to tell him all about my non-existent love life. It was quite embarrassing yet funny. Another one was when we handed him a bouquet of flowers and he pulled out two roses from the bouquet and gave them to my sister and I, which was sweet.
How clued in are you about Indian music and musicians? Who do you like and get inspired by?
Since I grew up in an environment where I was surrounded by people who were into Indian music, I picked up a couple of things here and there. I love listening to Indian music which I find very peaceful. I don’t listen to current Hindi music but I always enjoy listening to the ‘90s music.
Classical music has fascinated me too and it would be amazing if I can be good at it. Apart from my dad, I love listening to Sonu Nigam, and of course, Alka Yagnik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shaan, Arijit Singh and Mika Singh.
Growing up, what defined your taste in music? Is it just a hobby or do you plan to take it up as a profession?
As I grew up, I started to understand music more and gain more knowledge which helped me figure out my style and what I like and dislike. I guess I’ve always heard dad’s music, so I knew that melody and lyrics were very important. When I started listening to English music, I automatically fell for the melodious and powerful lyrics of Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey. Current artists like Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, kind of resemble these great legends and I have started to listen to their music. These singers have their own unique pop style but keep their lyrics and melody simple.
I don’t know if I want to make music my profession since I’m into Phycology (study of algae) and I want a major in that. But music has always been a part of my life and something I can’t live without at all. So it’ll be there with me even if I decide to not make it as my profession.
Which genres do you enjoy the most?
I enjoy listening to all types of genres but I guess my favourites are Pop, Soul and R&B.
Achieving fame at such a young age is great but it comes with certain challenges too. How have you managed to balance your daily life — education, family, other teenage interests with a serious pursuit of music?
It is quite challenging to deal with things as I am a teenager and I guess part of being a teen is that you’re not an adult yet but you ain’t a child either, so you have to kind of balance yourself in between and not become too mature before time. The music business and social media can definitely do a lot with your mind; you have to be mature enough to know how to handle things and tell people that you’re smart even if you’re not an adult yet.
Every time I achieve something, I feel like I’ve made my parents, my family, my fans, and everyone really proud and that itself becomes my greatest achievement. My biggest challenge is to achieve just as much as my dad, since his name is attached to mine.