Singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal Declares Independence from Music Labels
In a bold move, singer-songwriter Jasleen Royal has announced her decision to break free from the grip of music labels and take control of her creative content. The talented artist, who recently released her independent single, “Heeriye,” sheds light on a prevalent issue in the music industry, where artists often lack control over their own work, and face the unfortunate reality of having their songs remixed without receiving due credit.
Sharing her frustrations, Royal expresses her determination to no longer collaborate with music labels. She points out, “It’s sad that in our country, artistes don’t have any ownership on the content they create. And then, the songs are remixed and your name is just removed from the composer credits.” This unfair practice involves someone else altering the beat or adding a single line to become the new composer and claim all the credit. Royal finds this treatment deeply unjust and vows to distance herself from these inequitable practices.
Taking matters into her own hands, Royal reveals her vision for independently mounting future projects, despite the considerable financial investment required. The 32-year-old artist states, “I am aware it is a big investment, but that’s what I have to do now. So, you would see more of my independent songs coming up, but in a much grand way. It doesn’t mean if it’s an Indie track, then it has to be small.”
Reflecting on the royalty agreement and whether it has improved the situation, Royal admits that the inconsistency persists. She explains, “No, nothing has changed. Sometimes you get (royalty), sometimes you don’t. So, independent artistes still face challenges when it comes to the rightful ownership over their creations.” Having crooned popular hits such as “Ranjha” from the film “Shershaah” (2021), “Din Shagna Da” from “Phillauri” (2017), and “Nachde Ne Saare” from “Baar Baar Dekho” (2016), among many others, Royal understands firsthand the difficulties independent artists face.
One aspect of the Indian music scene that irks the talented singer is the perception of artists solely as playback voices, rather than being in the spotlight. She sets out to change this status quo, stating, “All around the world, songwriters, composers, and singers are the faces of the song. It’s only here, in India, that we are on the backfoot, which is slowly changing.” She cites the examples of maestros like Lucky Ali and AR Rahman, who were celebrated as the faces of their songs. Royal believes that, after a temporary period of being overlooked, the recognition of artists’ merit has regained momentum with the advancement of digital platforms.
With a clear vision for her future, Royal emphasizes her desire to be the face of her independent songs. She states, “I am more interested in leading my song, and giving it the grandness and mounting it the way it should be, and not be dependent on films and actors.”
Jasleen Royal’s decision to break away from music labels marks a significant shift in the music industry, where artists are increasingly asserting their autonomy and demanding rightful recognition for their creative contributions. As she takes charge of her artistic journey, it is evident that Royal’s determination and commitment to her craft will serve as an inspiration for many aspiring independent artists.
