Priya Ragu: “Time is precious and I want to utilise my talent to serve the world”

by Check Check | Friday May 24, 2024 | Features

Priya Ragu, Supplied

The line, “Damn, she’s Tamil,” is Priya Ragu’s calling card. Born in Switzerland to Sri Lankan refugee parents, Ragu’s Tamil identity has been central to her pop music since releasing the breakout single, “Good Love 2.0,” in 2020.

Santhosam, the title of Priya Ragu’s debut album, is the Tamil word for happiness. Released in October 2023 and produced by Ragu’s brother, Japhna Gold, the album combines traditional Tamil instrumentation with contemporary R&B, hip hop and electronic production.

Ragu’s voice – which Pitchfork compared to all-time crooners Snoh Aalegra and Sade – is the through-line, allowing her to incorporate elements of Afrobeats, electro-soul and the percussive Tamil genre kuthu while maintaining a cohesive listening experience.

Priya Ragu will play her first Australian shows this month, including a slot at Astral People’s Spice Trail event at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid LIVE. Check Check spoke to Ragu about Santhosam, her recent Skrillex and Ahadadream collab “TAKA,” and what encouraged her to pursue music.

Check Check: It’s six months since you released Santhosam. How are you feeling about the album now that people have had time to learn the songs and find their own meanings?

Priya Ragu: I was just thinking about the fact that it has already been six months, especially being on tour. I am very moved to see how people understand and perceive the music. At the end of the shows, I get the chance to talk to my listeners and I am amazed at how they relate to the songs. Each and every one of them has a personal story to the songs they resonate with the most.

Music has always been in your life, but at which point did you start thinking seriously about music becoming a career?

The moment I realised that we are all mortal, that time is incredibly precious, and that I want to utilise my talent to serve the world.

Is the partnership with your brother an essential part of the Priya Ragu project?

It is essential. While I may be the face of the music, the music itself originates from Japhna Gold and myself.

You recently appeared on “TAKA” with Ahadadream and Skrillex. Who instigated that collaboration, and what was it like making that song?

I was contacted by Ahadadream, who mentioned that both he and Skrillex would like to collaborate with me in the studio. We had a two-hour session with myself, Ahadadream, Skrillex, and Japhna, and we were able to complete the song.

This your first time playing in Australia. What can we expect from the Priya Ragu live show?

You can expect a good time, togetherness, and a celebration of life at my concert.