Sonu’s song: Rafi Saab is my God, an article from Hindustan Times Options

[Pradeep]

Music’s an addiction, my lifeline. Apart from doing riyaaz every day, I also listen to music extensively. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t just admire Mohammed Rafi, I also worship Mukesh, S.D. Burman and Kishore Kumar, musicians who’ve inspired me since I was young. Rafi saab, of course, has been the one big influence on my life. To me he is nothing less than God. I could keep listing my favourite Rafi numbers and you’d run out of space.

I used to emulate him since my childhood. I started off doing cover versions of his songs, and if I’m taken seriously as a singer it’s because of Rafi saab. He was always someone whose footsteps I wanted to follow.

The versatile Kishore Kumar has also inspired me. He had so much vitality, you could almost feel his vivacity trickle through his music. I’d have liked to have known and worked with him. The problem with our generation is that we’ve never worked with legends and I don’t know if any of us will ever come to be as respected as Kishore Kumar or Rafi saab.

I also listen to a lot of western music. ABBA, Boney M, Grateful Dead, Eagles, Pink Floyd are the kind of music I like. I usually listen to music when I am driving or when I am home alone and my wife has gone shopping. When I am partying, any kind of music will do. Given an opportunity, I’d like to work with Stevie Wonder, who has always inspired me.

I am moving to the US and doing an international album. Hopefully I’ll work with people I admire.

— As told to Somashukla Sinha Walunjkar