The colours of Money

Delhi-based Amandeep Singh, also known as Deep Money, became youngsters’ favourite from the word ‘go’. In early 2012, Punjabi music scene witnessed Dope Shope — Deep Money’s first-ever track — spread like wildfire. Talking about the controversial lyrics of the song, Deep says, “I am not promoting drug abuse amongst girls; I am refuting it, on the contrary.

Delhi-based Amandeep Singh, also known as Deep Money, became youngsters’ favourite from the word ‘go’. In early 2012, Punjabi music scene witnessed Dope Shope — Deep Money’s first-ever track — spread like wildfire. Talking about the controversial lyrics of the song, Deep says, “I am not promoting drug abuse amongst girls; I am refuting it, on the contrary. Maybe the rap by Honey Singh, who is like my elder brother, had a concealed meaning, but I cannot really talk about him; I owe everything I am today to him. If it wasn’t for Honey Singh, Deep Money wouldn’t have come into existence.”

As if still in awe of Honey Singh, Deep adds, "Honey Singh has an incredible music sense. In fact, he has changed the way people look at Punjabi music. Yes, lyrics-wise thodhi problem hai, but I am sure a person changes with time."

“After Dope Shope, I haven’t worked with Honey Singh. Even my new album, T-Urban (the swanky word for ‘turban’), does not have Honey’s rap. I have been very conscious about picking the right lyrics, especially about women,” says Deep and adds, “I also have a sister and a mother at home; I understand how wrong it is to portray women in a bad light. Just because a section of girls are going off track, it doesn’t mean we portray every girl wrongly.”

After the success of his first solo album, Born Star (2012), Deep Money released his new album, T-Urban, in Chandigarh on Wednesday. About the title of the album he says, “The name T- Urban was chosen because youngsters these days think cutting their hair is fashionable and makes them look cool, which is not the case. The turban is a symbol of pride. I am amongst the few Punjabi singers who have kept the turban; I would make it big globally with this look itself.”

“The two best tracks of my album are Disco Vich Gidha and Nazraan; the latter would be loved by girls, particularly,” says 27-year-old Deep, who has been taking lessons in classical music (Benares gharana) for the past five years. “Classical training builds a strong foundation for a singer; versatility and flexibility come with it. The training would help me in music composition as well, while making it easier for me to do playback singing for Bollywood. I would be singing songs for big banner films soon,” concludes Deep.