Today I’m so happy to have Apache Indian on The Buzz with Danu.

We have literally danced till we could not breathe to his music. From Boom Shack-A-Lakonwards, the vibe he created was nothing short of magic. 

I’ve wanted to do this Buzz with Danu for a very long time, and speaking to him over the phone made me realise just how passionate he is about music, how much love he has for the people who supported and enjoyed his songs, and most importantly, how grounded and simple he truly is.

Hitting charts is one thing… but living in the minds and memories of people for decades is something completely different. And I genuinely think he is the definition of staying relevant through music, culture, and pure energy.

I played his songs countless times during my radio days, and honestly, I can still listen to them today and feel the exact same excitement. That’s timeless music. 

Today on The Buzz with Danu, I speak to the one and only Apache Indian.

Hopefully, Sri Lanka gets to welcome him for a show very soon.

1. Your music changed the game did you know you were creating a global movement back then, or were you just vibing?

I was just vibing with music and all the sounds around me that reflected me and my life at that time. It was never a formula for success or to start a global movement.

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2. From “Boom Shack-A-Lak” to “Arranged Marriage,” your songs are still anthems what do you think makes them timeless?

I write my songs in a way that makes them current at the time but also has enough elements to keep them evergreen and relatable to many people and for generations to come. I give songs depth and meaning, I make them fun and catchy. I make songs personal but public.

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3. Sri Lanka LOVES you what has your connection with this island been like over the years?

I love Sri Lanka and have been there a few times now. I included Sri Lanka in my early songs like Chokthere before I had ever been to the country. The people are very friendly, they love music and I thank them for their support.

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4. You blended bhangra, reggae, and hip-hop before fusion was even a trend where did that fearless experimentation come from?

I blended all the sounds I grew up with which was more about me celebrating sounds and languages around me. My parents were from the Punjab in India but while they were at work I was looked after by a nanny from Jamaica for 5 years. So I was introduced to the language and culture of Jamaica. Everything was a real representation of my upbringing.

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5. Looking back, what was the moment you realised, “Okay, this is bigger than me”?

Boomshackalak was the turning point I suppose. I have had many chart hits but Boomshackalak was a major international hit featured in 10 Hollywood movies too. This was bigger than me and my team at the time so it was time to step it up.

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6. The dance floor still comes alive to your tracks—what does that energy mean to you today?

Yeah that energy means a lot to me because that’s what it’s all about. Watching people dance and sing along to songs that you have written means so much. Listening to stories of what the songs mean to them at school, home and in life generally means so much.

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7. Music has changed so much—do you think today’s artists take enough risks?

Music has changed as well as the music biz itself. People seem to have given themselves the title of being an Artist without any success. Then you see them doing podcasts and interviews. Blind leading the blind sometimes. These people are overshadowing the real artists out there, many of which don’t get a break. I think it’s too easy to make music now, but being an Artist is a completely different thing.

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8. If you were starting out now in this digital era, how would you approach your sound differently?

I don’t think I would even want to start my music career in this digital era. It’s all about fake followers and self hype. The real deal is to go out and perform like I did, not sit behind screens and then give yourself the title of being an Artist. There’s plenty of quantity but no quality left. It’s oversaturated with rubbish. Everyone is an artist, everyone has a studio and a label these days. I manage to balance things because I am old school.

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9. “Arranged Marriage” had humour, culture, and commentary how important is storytelling in your music?

Storytelling is another way I write songs. Just tell the story, simple as that. The key is to keep it interesting, catchy, fun and not boring. How do you write a song about arranged marriages without offending anyone or upsetting the culture and traditions? How do you use language and a mix of Punjabi, reggae and bhangra and make it completely your own? The rest is in God’s hands.

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10. You’ve performed across the world what’s been one unforgettable crowd moment that stayed with you?

Yes I have performed across the globe now for over 3 decades. Special places have been India, Jamaica and Japan. India because my parents were from India and I am Indian so every trip and gig has been special in some way. Every story from the past about my music and being a part of their journeys makes me so happy to hear.

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11. How do you stay creatively inspired after so many years in the industry?

Inspiration comes from life itself. I write songs about how I feel, what I see, if something bothers me or makes me smile. Music reflects life and emotions so my songs will continue to reflect where I am in life.

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12. What’s one misconception people had about you during your peak that you’d love to correct?

People were of the view that I was gonna be more street or rude but when I did interviews etc I would speak well, dress well and be polite and kind. That’s how I was raised and what you see is what you get. People thought I was trying to be black, but my name is Apache Indian and I sang about Indian subjects to start with. I am proud to be who I am but always had to explain myself. The world eventually woke up and realised that it was a reflection of culture and multiculturalism, bigger than music.

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13. Collaboration is huge now who would you love to work with from this new generation?

I would like to work with Ed Sheeran.

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14. When you hear your old tracks today, do you feel nostalgic or do you still see them as part of your present identity?

When I hear my old songs there’s lots of nostalgia attached for sure. Each song takes you back to when it was written and recorded and the stories I’ve heard around it. That’s what makes it evergreen and magical. And makes it all make sense.

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15. Finally if you had to describe yourself in one line today, what would it be?

An artist that was true to himself, and reflected his culture, language, emotions, prayers and dreams in his music in a way that no one has before or after him.