Monday

The Hot Seat

Kazz-tasitic!!

Sona Family’s latest addition is vocalist Kazz Kumar who was born in Chatham, Kent and raised in South London. Her musical stimulus as a child has been colourful with artists including Madonna and Cyndi Lauper through to Aaliyah, Gwen Stefani and Linkin Park shaping her creative output today. She is of Sri Lankan descent; the multi-talented performer tried her hand at a gamut of instruments including the piano, flute, violin, guitar and drums but settled at her voice as first choice.

To add to that, she was vocally coached by Kim Chandler (a backing vocalist for Michael Jackson and P. Diddy), Kazz performed for audiences at The Royal Albert Hall through to a solo at Disneyland Paris, and was also a member of an all Asian girl band. However, the girl band was to last only a short time before they split and Kazz went on to University to study BSc Multimedia Technology and Design.

She’s hot, sexy, and has one hell of a voice! Bravura Artist had the chance to sit down with this UK superstar to find out what’s happening in the life of Kazz!

Kazz, for those who are unfamiliar with your melodic voice, in one line, tell us who you are and what you do?
I am the female vocalist in Sona Family. Crazy, funky, unique and funny are probably the best words to describe me!

At what age did you realize that singing was a career path you wanted to pursue?
Young! Like when I was 10 or 11! I used to watch Madonna on TV and be like…”Wow I want to be her, I want to do that!” I’ve been singing all my life but I knew at a young age that I wanted to be a performer, whether it was singing, acting or dancing!

You’re the leading lady in Sona Family! Let’s take a trip down memory lane! When and how did this happen?
Well, while I was in my first year of Uni, I was also in a girl band which consisted of 3 girls; I hated it! Haha! It was terrible! But singing is what I love doing so I stuck it out! I was hanging out in the kitchen with my university friends and Mr. Riz was there too, he was visiting a friend at the time and we got talking about music and about my girl group and he was like “Yo my crew are looking to work with a female vocalist so you should come by and record some time”. I did a track with him a few days later and the crew liked it and I started going to the studio regularly to record with them as a feature and left the girl group and then a few months after, I became an official member of the crew!

Since joining Sona Family, how do you think you’ve grown as an artist?
I have learnt so much. Honestly this has been the greatest experience in my life so far. There has been real hard times and real good times and I’ve grown up so much and I know myself a lot better now. I know what I want and what I dont want and I‘m a stronger person. It’s a tough lifestyle and now and then, people try and trip you up! You definitely have to grow a thick layer of skin to survive the things people throw at you! Its not all parties and limos!

What has been one of your most memorable moments so far in your career?
Lots! Performing to 20,000 people in Dubai and hearing them sing our songs back to us, watching my fave MTV show ‘The Hill’s’ and hearing our song in the background and touring around the world with my most favourite people! It just keeps getting better!

If we were to drive down to South Hall and in a total party mode, what would we be jamming to in your car?
Wow, if you were partying with me, we wouldn’t be going to Southall!! We’d be hittin’ Central!!! Well right now I’m obsessed with Rihanna’s Distubia and Madonna’s Give it to Me, so either one of those!

I’m going to take you up on that offer! Do you think that mainstream listeners are slowly starting to become more acceptant to the “South Asian sound”?
Yes and no; I think they are quite selective! If Timbaland or Jay-z have Asian elements in tracks, it seems to go down real well, but its tougher when Asian artists try and deliver Asian tracks! But God willing things will change, I mean, the musical trends are forever changing so who knows what will happen next!

Where do you see yourself five years from now?
29 years old! Haha! Well I hopefully will be singing still, but I do want to be settled down with a husband at some point too! Hopefully not too much will change, I just hope our music takes off and does really well!

What advice do you have for those who want to pursue a career as a singer?
Be confident, be strong, be prepared for ups and downs, be grounded and most importantly be yourself and don’t forget those who were there for you from the beginning! Being humble is the way forward!

Do you have any last words for the readers of Bravura Artist?
Yes! Thanx for this interview Tirusha! It’s such a pleasure to be featured in the mag! To the fans, I appreciate you all for the love and support! Please keep in touch via Facebook and Myspace! I read all your messages and try my best to reply! Watch out for the new single ‘Broken Dreams’ (Tare Tooteh) coming soon!!