Pop artist and playback singer Kanika Kapoor. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
For the last decade, singer Kanika Kapoor has been the voice behind some of Bollywood’s earworms, from the peppy “Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan” to “Baby Doll” and “Da Da Dasse.” Composers ranging from Amit Trivedi to Pritam to Brit-Punjabi veterans like Dr. Zeus have worked with Kapoor.
More recently, she also released her solo single “Matak Matak” featuring Nigerian Afrobeats artist Timiboi. In tandem, Kapoor has been performing across the country and will make her debut in Shillong, performing at Cherry Blossom Festival on Nov. 16, 2024.
Kapoor says in an email interview, “I’m extremely excited to perform in Shillong first time especially at the Cherry Blossom Festival! The show will be full of energy, with a mix of my popular songs and some surprises. I want everyone to have a great time, feel the music, and celebrate together.”
On the day of her performance, Kapoor shares the lineup billing alongside the likes of British dance act Clean Bandit, EDM artist R3hab, local hip-hop artists like Khasi Bloodz and Reble, among others. Cherry Blossom Festival also includes headline sets by hip-hop/pop veteran Akon, pop artist Lucas and beloved pop act Boney M’s Maizie Williams. Kapoor says, “It’s amazing to share the stage with such talented artists. I’m really looking forward to catching Akon’s performance. Lucas and SuperM also bring so much energy, and it’ll be great to see how they work the crowd.”
Kapoor hints that she’s likely to try out a few new songs as part of her festival set to “see how the crowd responds.” She adds, “The Shillong audience is known for their love of music, so I’m excited to share this setlist and see how they vibe with both the classics and the fresh sounds.”
Among those new songs is “Matak Matak,” which released on Oct. 25, 2024 and dove into the Afrobeats world. She says about the track, “‘Matak Matak’ is a song that’s all about having fun. It has a playful, upbeat feel that makes you want to dance. I wanted to create something light-hearted that anyone can enjoy, whether they’re in a party mood or just listening at home. I hope the energy of the song connects with people everywhere.”
Kapoor has a lot more planned for the next couple of years, including more collaborations with Afrobeats artists and live performances. She says, “Recently, I met with Ckay and will be able to reveal more soon. I also plan to explore new genres and sounds, so my fans can expect a lot of variety in the upcoming releases. It’s going to be a big year, and I’m looking forward to sharing it all with everyone.”
Get Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival tickets here.
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