For attested ‘100 hundred per cent first class’ performing artiste, YouTube sensation and celebrity Wilbur Sargunaraj, celebrating the other person is his life’s mission statement. Carrying the anthem of putting the spotlight on other people in his music and attitude, the ‘Simple Superstar’ loves to promote simple superstars like himself. “I want to celebrate the common and the ordinary. A celebration of otherness is what my music is all about,” says the musician, singer and songwriter during his recent visit to his favourite hangout in Bengaluru, Opus, to launch his latest album Feeling Genki.
Expressively excited to be in the music capital, Wilbur says: “Bangalore is one of the favourite places in my heart because I launched my first album here in 2010. This is the third time I’m here to launch an album. The vibe I get in this city is fantastic and I’ve made so many friends. As soon as I stepped out of the train, I knew I was home,” he beams.
Legendary for his white shirt and black pant with black tie and shades, Wilbur dons a new avatar for Feeling Genki with a red tee customised with ‘Feeling Genki’ along with the famous Wilbur Worldwide trademark lungi pants. “The red tee has Katakana Japanese writing with ‘Feeling Genki’ which I got done at a shop in Japan while launching the album there. I wanted to be a little unique this time so I decided why not step outside of my comfort zone. The tee really compliments the lungi pants.” He goes on to say that specifically, the lungi pants, white shirt and tie are the epitome of who he is. “I was brought up in the rural areas and the city. That marriage between the two is what Wilbur Worldwide is all about – bringing people together no matter what background they have. That’s the story behind the attire change. I’ve started to become a bit adventurous I guess,” he laughs.
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He elaborates: “Steve Jobs always wore the same dress and said it helped him to spend more time making decisions rather than deciding what to wear. It’s the same for me. I want to focus on relationships, people and music. Sadly, society has become self-centred. What Wilbur Worldwide stands for though is a lot about living a radical counterculture life celebrating the other person. I want to spend less time on myself and more on others. That is very, very first class!”
A self-acclaimed ambassador of cultural intelligence, Wilbur explains how Feeling Genki fits into his mission statement. “Genki stands for lively, enthusiastic and energetic. I noticed a lot of people live with a false sense of happiness. At the end of the day, relationships are what will make you happy. Always ‘Genki’ is how I would best describe myself. The whole album also brings about several collaborations between people across countries and languages. It’s not just about Wilbur Sargunaraj. I wanted to make an album that celebrates everyone. Cultural intelligence comes into play when I’m going to different places; I go with the disposition of how I can learn from the other person.”
To fellow simple superstars, he shares a message from the heart – “Do what you love to do simply because you love it. Don’t do it because of clicks, views and likes. We’re living in an era which we can define by social media. And I don’t want that. Just because I made one video song ‘Love Marriage’ that went viral, I won’t be making every song viral. I want to stay true to the core of being an artiste and release content because I love doing it and want others to enjoy it. I come from the era before the social media. But I have to use it to connect with people. But I can’t let it define me. Social media should connect people.” He adds: “Don’t be ashamed of being yourself. Stay original and true to yourself. That’s what gives the most fulfilment and freedom.”
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The Indo-World-Fusion artiste says he is quite content with where he is and “thankful that I can do what I do and share this platform with others. It’s very humbling. I also want to be responsible and inspire others. The younger generations are looking up and I want to give them a good role model. It’s very important these days.”
What’s next for Wilbur? He says: “People thought I started making music after my video went viral. It’s the other way around. I was always a musician. I want to concentrate on music. People think I can only teach how to use the toilet. But they should know I can do other things too. Music is my roots. I am also raising funds for social causes relating to women and children, especially the girl child through Feeling Genki - all wrapped in some funky, pop, dapang and reggae. It’s the right thing to do if you have the platform.”
If you haven’t encountered his work yet, check out Wilbur Sargunaraj online across social media.