CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE

Songs in unusual foreign languages are rocking the discs in Pune. PT reports from the dance floors

WORLD ON THE CONSOLE: DJs enjoy playing songs

in different languages at local parties



ENGLISH and Hindi music. When you are in a discotheque, you know that you are going to groove to songs in these languages. But don’t be surprised if you enter a party and hear rocking numbers in Spanish, Italian, French, German and Egyptian.

Global music has always been a hit at the discotheques, but there has been a huge increase in the number of such songs in recent times. Hear DJ Tally whose current favourite is the German Industrial Metal Band Rammstein’s massively successful song Du Hast. “We have all grooved to Macarena and Las Ketchup, but now is the time of Du Hast. With powerful music, which include the elements of industrial and metal, this catchy number has proved that language is no bar on the dance floor.”

Although Latin house, African tribal music and Arabian songs continue to rock, German, French and Spanish songs too have hit the right chord with the party goers. “Cheb Khalid’s French and Arabic versions of Aïcha is very popular these days. A song in an unknown language can become a hit, but all depends on how the DJ places it. The timing is very crucial,” explains DJ Vaggy. Another song that literally commands you to dance is the French number by Stromae, Alors on Danse. “Alors on Danse has been quite popular abroad, and it's picking up really fast in India as well. It's going to be the next big thing soon," claims DJ Lokesh. Other tracks that he feels Puneites love to dance on are Spanish hits Loca by Shakira, We No Speak Americano by Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP, La Despedida by Daddy Yankee, Rakata-Wisin Y Yandel and Vida Nueva by Rafael Becker. DJ Abhishek Mantri also votes for Du Hast and Alors on Danse. He says, “People are completely in love with these tracks and they love to party h a rd o n fo r - eign numbers!” Another French song that has been doing really well is Tout est Bleu. Speak to DJ Manish, and you know that he too has a long list of highly popular songs. He says, “Arabic songs like Yalla Habibi by Karl Wolf and Yama Layali by Hayfa Wahbi and French songs like Te Quiero by Stormae and One Lambada by Swedish House Mafia, rank high on my list along with Spanish numbers like Buena Gente by Jason Revas and Rabiosa by Shakira. I recommend the tribal song, Mandala by Deepside DJs.” He also forecasts a bright future for the Italian song El Italiano by Disco Mafia in Pune’s discs.

Although there is always a risk of acceptance, DJs love to try their hands at songs from different languages and places. “You tend to be a bit hesitant in the beginning, but you have to take the risk. There are many songs which are very upbeat, and people get hooked on to them very easily. The plus point is that Puneites are ready to experiment and, hence, it’s not difficult to introduce foreign language songs here," says DJ Prashant. Songs from different languages add a new flavour to the party. As DJ Sunny says, “When the music is so good, who cares about the language.” As DJs continue spinning foreign language tunes, all that party animals can say is ‘we are all ears for more’.