Rap music is not here to stay: Bappi Lahiri

Singer and composer Bappi Lahiri made a brief stopover at Dubai before heading to New York’s International Yoga Day event.

Bappi Lahiri at a recording studio - Supplied photo

Dubai - “Rap music has been quite a hit in India, but we need to wait and see for how long the craze sustains. Some music directors shoot to fame temporarily but don’t stay around for very long,” said Bollywood playback singer and composer Bappi Lahiri.

Lahiri, who is equally well-known for his passion for bling, was all praise for the rap music that has taken Bollywood music industry by storm. He however added that new singers such as Honey Singh may not have longevity as the old timers like legendary singers Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mageshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey and RD Burman.

Lahiri will be conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the San Francisco Global Movie Fest in August. Speaking to Khaleej Times, the man who made Bollywood actor Mithun Chakraborty, a household name with the hit number “I am Disco Dancer” said: “I am very happy for this international award. It’s all due to the love of my fans and blessings of my parents and almighty.”

Following the award, he said he hopes to create a buzz for his latest album called Slumstars, which features several talented children from India’s poorest slums.

“These children who sing incredibly well do not have the right means and hence I want to give them a launch pad for their career,” said, the self-acclaimed Disco King who has to his credit over 600 songs – both Hindi and Bengali.

Lahiri’s musical career took a flight in 1976 with his hit song “Kabhi alvida na kehna” for the movie Chalte Chalte. From 1980s he made a shift to disco songs in India – with songs such as “Disco dancer”. His claim to fame are the songs from movies Namak Halaal, Sharabi, and the popular song “Yaar bina chain kaha re” from Saheb.

In 1990s he was known for the all-time hit songs “Tamma tamma loge”, and “Dil mein ho tum”. Then later on he sang for movies Taxi No. 9-2-11, Guru, “Ooh la la” from Dirty Picture and Golmaal 3. Most recently, his chartbuster includes “Tune maari entriyan” from the movie Gunday.

Composer Bappi Lahiri identified young talents from slum areas of Mumbai and recorded them live singing in his studio