Date:26/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/26/stories/2006052619760200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

It is a positive song, says Blaaze

Staff Reporter

A FINAL TOUCH: Blaaze and Sagar of Zambezi Funk in the studio on Thursday. — Photo: M. Vedhan

CHENNAI: Zambezi Funk has been working on its social conscience again.

In a dimly lit studio on Harrington Road, rapper Blaaze (the Zambezi) and composer Sagar Desai (the Funk) were giving finishing touches to their new single `Ban the Crooked Police'.

Although rhythm and poetry is Blaaze's forte, this one is more reggae. "It is a positive song. No sensationalism," says Blaaze, who is anxious to establish that the song is not anti-establishment. "It is not a dig at all the police, only the corrupt police, rapist police and brutal police... " he explains.

Last year, the two cut a single `In My Father's Words' on the Sankaracharya incident from the people's point of view.

The song wasn't for or against the Sankaracharya, but about the result of his arrest on believers. It was aired on VH1, a first for an Indian song, claims Blaaze.

"When you do stuff that's meaningful, everything falls into place. There is no commercial aspect to the song," says Blaaze. "Yeah, no one's getting paid," says the thus far silent Sagar.

`Ban the Crooked Police' resulted from Blaaze's observations over time - the Bilkis Bano rape during the Gujarat riots and recent lathi charge on anti-reservation demonstrators.

The song features additional vocals by Lavanya, and guitar by Christy Samuel.

The video will be shot by Suriya, Trilok and Venkat.

Watch out for it in the next few weeks. It will be released as a single by Sea Records.