“Universal Music India today launched 18-year-old Armaan Malik’s self-titled debut music album — Armaan — in Mumbai. Bollywood superstar Salman Khan unveiled the album.”
That’s the press release about Armaan Malik’s debut album launch and that leads one to wonder.
How many youngsters get to have a press release sent out about them? How many 18-year-olds cut an individual album with an established music label featuring songs that they have written, composed and sung? How many wield the influence and talent to have Salman Khan over to launch it?
Musical destiny
Given that Armaan is the son of singer and music director Daboo Malik, and nephew of music director Anu Malik, it was but expected of him to carve a niche for himself in the music industry much like his family members have.
“Music is in my blood, so it is natural for me to find my future in it,” says the singer who could “sing better than he could talk”— at just three years.
In fact, his first imprints in music began with singing jingles for many top brands which slowly gave way to singing in films as a child singer. His top draw being “Bum bum bole” from Taare Zameen Par and “Mere Buddy” and the theme song of Bhoothnath . Armaan made his debut as an adult playback singer with Salman Khan’s Jai Ho .
Coming from a musical family with contacts in Bollywood must make things easier for him?
“Yes. It helps in getting to meet people and present my work. But ultimately it is only talent that speaks. If you do not deliver, you do not get work. There is also a disadvantage of being stereotyped about the kind of music I can produce.”
Future forward
Coming out with his own album has been a lifelong dream for Armaan. This came true in January with the launch of his Armaan at a start-studded launch. “The experience was awesome. I am happy that Salman bhai supported me and so did Salim Merchant, who is my mentor.”
In 2011, Armaan pursued a course at the Berklee College of Music, Boston, where he was awarded a full-tuition scholarship.
He released his first video titled Krazy Konnection for a song from the album at the music launch. The videos for the other songs will follow, promises the BMS student from Mumbai. “There is so much happening in my musical career right now like movie projects and concerts that I cannot afford to continue with regular college.
Hence, I am planning to pursue my graduation privately.” As of now, music is his only love.
