Chin Injeti is one of those artists whose music you’ve heard, even if you’ve never heard of him. The Canadian singer, songwriter, musician and producer has crafted hits for Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Drake, Clipse, Eminem, Pink and others, earning a shelf of Grammy and Juno Awards in the process. A couple of months ago, the former member of Bass is Base produced something for himself — the personal and cathartic number Falling, about the grief and healing that followed the death of his father. Today, Injeti gets personal — in a much lighter way — with my silly questions. And as you’d expect from a guy with as many irons in the fire as he has, he doesn’t waste time or mince words. Let’s hear what he’s got to say:
Introduce yourself: Name, age (feel free to lie), home base, other details you’d like to share (height, weight, identifying marks, astrology sign, your choice).
I am Chin Injeti. I’m REALLY YOUNG. My height is 5’4″. I’m overweight. Birthmark on my chest. I’m an Aries.
What is your musical origin story?
Music has been in my life forever. My dad was a singer. It sort of came natural.
What do we need to know about your latest project?
My single Falling. My favourite singer ever, Esthero, is on it, and my friend Tarun played tabla.
What truly sets you apart from other artists?
I love all music and almost all people that make it.
What will I learn or how will my life improve by listening to your music?
That it comes from an honest place. I don’t chase trends. I just do what’s in my heart.
Tell us about the first song you wrote and / or the first gig you played and what you got paid.
Wrote a song for Jesus (I Just Came To Praise The Lord). It was terrible but my parents loved it. Can’t remember first gig but probably my battle of the bands in high school. We came in second.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you ever gave?
Played with James Brown — so many strange ones. Once at a corporate event in San Francisco no one was listening but I got paid a lot.
What is the best / worst / strangest / most memorable performance you’ve seen another artist give?
So many! Future when his AutoTune was turned off …
What do you want to be doing in 10 years?
Chilling.
What living or dead artists would you collaborate with if you could?
David Bowie, Stevie Wonder.
What artist or style of music do you love that would surprise people?
Electro-punk.
What are your favourite songs / albums / artists right now?
Everything on Songs in the Key Of Life.
How about some other favourites: Authors, movies, painters, you name it.
Rohinton Mistry, Dostoevsky, Alex Haley, Dune the movie — so terrible but good — Blade Runner.
Who would you be starstruck to meet?
No one (I’m serious). I’ve met everyone.
What’s your favourite joke?
I don’t joke.
What do you drive and why?
Can’t drive.
What superpower do you want and how would you use it?
Control sound waves and use them to build things and put out fires.
What skills — useful or useless — do you have outside of music?
I can whistle from my throat.
What do you collect?
Comics, women’s shoes and old hockey cards.
If I had a potluck, what would you bring?
Potato salad.
What current trend or popular thing do you not understand at all?
I understand all of them.
Tell us about your current and/or former pets.
None.
If you could have any other job besides music, what would it be and why?
I don’t want any other job. I hate the workforce.
What’s the best advice and/or worst advice you were ever given?
It’s OK to fail.
BONUS: Feel free to write and answer your own question here if you want.
What makes you tick? Time.
Check out a couple of versions of Falling above, hear more from Chin Injeti below, and follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
