Raaja Beats is a music project by Bangalore based producers, Malfnktion & Raka. Embracing their roots in South Indian culture, their debut eponymous EP is a carefully curated selection of 8 edits of iconic songs by film composer and songwriter, Ilaiyaraaja.
The breadth of music and film in South India cannot be encompassed by a single composer or period or region, however, Ilaiyaraaja is unquestionably one of the most prolific and influential composers of his time. Like many remix albums, the idea behind Raaja Beats is to revitalize a classic period, represent its melodies and grooves in a format that resonates with a new generation of listeners.
The EP, first conceptualized in 2018 and performed regularly at clubs and festivals in various versions since then, has finally blossomed into a completed body of work, rooted in the past, nostalgic in essence and honed by contemporary dance music. Ilaiyaraaja is widely known as a pioneer for pushing boundaries and blurring lines between genres to create timeless music. Taking inspiration from the maestro, Raaja Beats aims to push our vision of South Indian dance music in the 21st century.
Two singles from the EP, βPoongatruβ and βNinnukoriβ were released on April 19th & 24th 2020, respectively. The full EP is scheduled to be released in the first week of May. It will be available for streaming on Soundcloud and Youtube and can be downloaded for free on Band camp.
The visual identity and artwork for Raaja Beats is created by Raka Ashok.
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