Asad Khan or Khanvict as he is better known, has made a name for himself amongst the South Asian diaspora of the world, for his catchy and soulful music. With ‘Devotion’, the focus track of his new EP titled “Arrival”, he takes this a step further by collaborating with violinist Raaginder (for the entire EP) and singer Rashmeet Kaur (for this track).
At its heart, this Sufi-inspired composition is about love. It’s brought to life with Rashmeet’s strong vocals, Khanvict’s thumping bass, and Raaginder’s catchy melody. As Khan explains, “’Devotion’ transcends boundaries, creating a musical landscape where the essence of love resonates with every note. I invite you to immerse yourself in the sublime fusion of talent and emotion that defines this remarkable musical journey.”
Khanvict and Raaginder are currently touring North America, after the release of the EP, to cater to their rapidly growing audience. The project is a precursor to Khanvict’s debut album which is set to launch soon.
Surrey-based artist Khanvict has established himself as a master of cinematic production, drawing inspiration from his South Asian roots and influences like Clozee and Troyboi. His track, “Closer” which touched on important social issues in South Asian culture, received Canada’s top music video award called the Prism Prize last year.
Raaginder hails from the San Francisco Bay Area but is presently based in New York. His training in Indian Classical music allows him to seamlessly blend classical and contemporary sounds. He has performed worldwide to much acclaim.
Kaur is known for her versatility as a singer. She is a successful Bollywood playback singer and an experimental artist. Her music has been streamed 250 million times and she has collaborated with artists like Major Lazer, Diplo, Nucleya, Raftaar, Ikka, and Yashraj Mukhate, among many others. Kaur’s voice has been a part of numerous popular OTT films and shows including ‘Jee Karda’, ‘Four More Shots Please’, ‘Made in Heaven’, and ‘Chor Nikal ke Bhaga’, amongst others. She was also the winner of the Amazon Prime video reality show called ‘The Remix’, apart from being a celebrity contestant on the reality TV show ‘Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi’ in 2023.
“My heart has always been in the live experience,” says Khan. “The upcoming ‘Arrival’ EP and tour are an exploration of my deep relationship with my frequent collaborator Raaginder. We have spent much of the last year conceiving, writing, and building this work of art. It is, therefore, a visionary experience combining custom visuals, live instrumentation and live electronica. We applaud the recent upsurge in South Asian representation and are excited to level up the production and performance quality. Our joint tour symbolizes the coming of age of an entire community and we feel it is aptly named ‘The Arrival Tour’,” he adds.
When asked to speak about Raaginder, Khanvict shares, “He is a multi-talented artist known for his prowess as a violinist, composer and songwriter. With deep-rooted training in the ancient art of Indian Classical music, he masterfully weaves soul-stirring melodies on the violin. His creative journey has given birth to several ground-breaking albums, seamlessly blending the rich tapestry of Indian classical music with contemporary sounds. Within this musical universe, Raaginder transcends boundaries, creating a fresh soundscape that defines its own genre. His compositions traverse the spectrum from velvety R&B vocals to entrancing raga-based pop, crafting lyrical and rhythmic experiences that captivate the senses.”
Speaking about his first-time collaborator, Rashmeet Kaur, he adds, “She is one of the most versatile singers and songwriters in the country today. Her musical prowess lies in her unique ability to blend different genres and create globally appealing music. As a true cultural icon, she has not only become a successful Bollywood playback singer but has also been experimenting by putting out her original music. Her musical journey started as a six-year-old, from learning harmonium and Gurmat sangeet in New Delhi, and I believe this gave her a strong foundation.”
The nostalgic video of ‘Devotion’ will have you hooked, even as its peppy beat will make you sway. The music is a seamless blend of many influences that work well to create an entirely modern sound which is sure to appeal to listeners across the board. ‘Devotion’ can be accessed on all major music platforms.
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com.