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Not many people will have heard about the artist that we’re going to be interviewing today but mark my words this is the beginning of something very big for this man. It’s none other than the producer behind the majority of Imran Khan’s work its the main man himself EREN E. Eren is responsible for the music behind the global smash hit Ni Nachleh and also produced tracks 1-12 on Imran’s refreshing new album UNFORGETTABLE.

In comparison to his up-tempo banging beats Eren is a very reserved and shy individual but we here at Desi-Box have managed to persuade Eren to step into the limelight and give his VERY FIRST INTERVIEW EXCLUSIVELY TO DESI-BOX.COM.

Adzo from the Desi-Box.com Team had the privilege to interview the talented Eren E. This has to be one of the most intresting interviews we have done to date, check below of what went down.

Adzo DB: 01.For all the people out there who haven’t heard of you briefly explain who you are and what part you play on Imran’s album Unforgettable.

Eren E: Hi, my name is Eren E, music producer, if you don't know me yet, I am the one who produced " Ni Nachleh". After this successful single release, Imran and I decided to take the challenge to produce an album together. In this way I produced 12 different tracks for the album called “Unforgettable”.

Adzo DB: 02. How did you come to meet Imran? And was it an easy decision for you to decide whether or not you wanted to take on the project?

Eren E: In 2004 a friend we both knew introduced me to Imran. In that period Imran just came back to Holland after an unsuccessful search for a producer in the United Kingdom. We arranged a meeting and Imran played a song.
Honestly said, first I couldn’t believe that Imran was the one who was singing. I thought how could such a strong voice be from someone so young. Later he proved it was really his voice by singing live in the recording studio. I
was totally shocked. It was incredible. So the decision was made.

Adzo DB: 03. For someone of a Turkish background, did you find it difficult producing music for a Bhangra album?

Eren E: For Turkish people Punjabi/ Bhangra music is not totally unknown. Our chords and music doesn't vary that much from each other. The biggest difference is within the instruments, but based on structure the music is very much similar. Still, it was certainly a big challenge, because there were expectations from me to come up with a production which would set the Punjabi/Bhangra industry totally upside down. Such a production for a singer whose language I don’t understand was even more challenging. Luckily Imran was very good in translating the lyrics in such a way I
could get a good image about the song. This way I was able to assemble the production all together.

Like wise people say “Problems are there to be solved”. My drive is when I like something I go for it 200%. That’s why I enjoyed this project to the fullest.

Adzo DB: 04. I heard you went away and did research on Bhangra music to get a feel for what its all about, what did you find from the research you carried out? Was it easy to adjust and do you like listening to Bhangra music?

Eren E: Well its true, I did start my research on Punjabi/Bhangra music a while ago. Before I started this project with "Imran Khan" I had the honour to work on several other productions as well in the Netherland, Belgium and Turkey. Based on this experience I've learned that research and preparation is an important factor in producing, certainly as a newbie in a new branch. Therefore I wanted to develop this project with Imran perfectly. My research began with listening to Bhangra, Pakistani Pop and Bollywood music. After a while I figured out what kind of ingredient there was missing in this music industry.

I grew up in the Netherlands in a very multicultural society where we learn a lot from each other’s cultures and I noticed that Bhangra music is particularly traditional. I heard a lot of beats like Thumbi and Dholl. Like as if this was a characteristic for a song. The lyrics would always have a deep meaning. There weren't much up tempo beats. Now the question was why it was like this. Can we produce something which would say a bit less with lyrics but still would give a universal stamp which not only could be listened to fans/people with Asian background but by everybody. To change an industry, which has been around for a long-time, wouldn't just happen in 1 step. Therefor I produced first "Ni Nachleh" a song that had traditional as well as something new to offer. The result was an Up tempo fresh beat that makes you wanna Jump.

Imran understood the change I wanted to make because he is very fresh minded. Now our next step was “The Total Change”. By this I mean creating a new sound where content of a song was equal to the Universal music behind the
song. So came Chak Glass, Amplifier, Bounce Billo etc. A new Style was born.

Adzo DB: 05. How is it to work with Imran in the studio, you’re both very young artists there must be times where there’s been less music made and more mischief. Can you tell us any funny stories that have occurred in the studio?

Eren E: Imran is a very talented singer with a lot of Creativity. We have spent a lot of time with each other. We have worked and hanged out the past 6 years. We had moments where we didn’t have the energy any more to work on the album. There were times when we suddenly started to game (Street Fighter IV, Mortal Kombat), eat and discuss with each other about everything and nothing.

A funny story I can remember during these years working with Imran Khan is that I once produced a beat where I began to mix the vocals of Imran Khan on the chipmunks style. We made jokes about this song that it is going to
be a hit track that is going to be truly unforgettable. With this in mind we laughed till our stomachs hurt.

This particular production brought us on to new ideas and we still have used it in the album. But I will not tell you in which song this is. (laughs)

Adzo DB: 06. On Unforgettable you’ve produced tracks 1 through to 12 which track do you personally like on the album? And why?

Eren E: For a producer it's difficult to answer this question concretely, because all the tracks are of different genre. If I really have to choose then it would be 40 PRA, because there is a lot of variation in the vocals (diversity of high and low notes) which Imran Khan sings and I as a producer can really do fun stuff with it. I also like the production of Hakan Ozan "Bewafa" because to me it's a real masterpiece.

Adzo DB: 07. The Ni Nachle single was a huge success, suddenly everyone wanted to know who Imran Khan and Eren E was, were you surprised by the response you got from fans?

Eren E: Absolutely, we were really surprised and at the same time very happy. The response came across to us like a mega tsunami. If we hadn’t received such a positive reaction, we wouldn’t have taken the challenge to produce and
introduce an album with an unknown sound for the Asian Music industry like we did with this album “unforgettable”. That’s why I want to thank once again the fans for supporting us.

Adzo DB: 08. We know you’re a very talented and versatile producer who can produce various different styles of music, but what would you say is your favourite?

Eren E: Thank you! To be honest I don’t have one favourite genre. For me it’s all about the vibe. What can I add/change to a song to make it sound better? That’s what I think. I think innovation is important and that my fans appreciate when I come with something new.

Adzo DB: 09. What can you tell us about the future of the Punjabi/Bhangra industry as a "stranger"(Turkish producer)?

Eren E: I think we are the first ones to bring a new era to the Asian Music industry. I think that our production will
inspire a lot of producers and singers. Our goal is also to make Bhangra/Punjabi music not only heard and made by Asians, but also be produced and listened by everyone.

Adzo DB: 10. What are the future plans for Eren E? A debut album in the pipelines?

Eren E: Nowadays I listen to the album " Unforgettable" just like others do I think. I am not listening to the album as a producer, but I am enjoying it like all fans do when they listen to it. I am curious for the response of this album and will see further what else I can deliver ;)

What Eren E will bring in the future, time will tell: I would say stay tuned. haha

Adzo DB: 11. Thank You Eren for taking the time out to answer the questions, good luck for the future and we
look forward to hearing more of your music. Any final message for your fans out there?

Eren E: Thank you too and Desi-Box for the Interview. And to all my fans, I want to say: “make your dreams come true. Inspire me, yourself and others”. Peace! Eren E

BUY: Imran Khan - Unforgettable - iTunes