Adnan Sami has reignited the debate on remixing in the Indian music industry and the growing reliance on remixes.
The veteran musician has stressed that unlike remixers, people don’t want remixes so much as they want original music because they don’t get it.
Sami spoke about the music business changing the balance between original music and remixed music.
At one point in time, he said, they were in a ratio of about 80 per cent original music and 20 per cent remixes. Now, remixes make up most of the share.
Sami believes that the reason for the recent change is that the industry is more reluctant to take creative risks.
Music companies are now turning to familiar songs because they have already made themselves familiar to the listener, and so are a much safer commercial choice, he said.
The singer made a striking food analogy to explain his argument. The current supply of remixes, Sami said, is “dry rice” and people like it.
Sami thinks people listen to recreated songs because they are not being provided with better alternatives like “khichdi or biryani” his metaphor for fresh, original music.
His criticisms also ran onto the perception of music directors. Sami said composers should not necessarily be blamed for the rise of remixes, although they are performing at a level of music companies and industry actors’ behest.
He added that remixes were not the childhood aspiration of music directors and that commercial pressures are at the heart of the trend.
Sami also linked the music situation to the film industry trend. Remakes, sequels, prequels and spin-offs are much more popular than ever, he noted, and businesses in entertainment are more cautious about taking on new concepts.
For Sami, the problem is far bigger than remixes being published. He worries about what the trend will mean for future music listeners.
Different generations had songs from different times that were associated with their memories and identities. Sami wondered if today's listeners will have enough original Hindi songs to have their own.
At the same time, Sami has praised music labels that give artists more freedom to play.
Recently, Zee Music was one company that has encouraged him to go in a different direction rather than just follow the established formula.
His remarks have once again revived the debate over originality, nostalgia and commercial safety.
And remixes still attract a lot of attention, but Sami’s argument raises a larger question for the industry: is there really audience demand behind the remix boom or is the audience just eating what they are being served
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