Album Notes

Rimi is a pop star on a mission- she is determined to propel her style of music, Indian pop, to mainstream America- the land she was born in and grew up in. America is clearly interested; popular R&B artists such as Rakim and Jay Sean had hits with their songs Addictive and Stolen, respectively, which heavily sampled Bollywood songs. Rimi is already causing a stir in the Washington DC area- celebrity DJs such as DJ Lucky and production companies are all clamoring to incorporate her into their events. A fusion of Indian and Western pop, Rimi’s self-titled album is poised for international release by Indian mega-label T-Series. Her talent is evident, honed by nearly two decades of classical training, including a stint singing on the Peabody Choir. As a young girl, she was drawn to the Bollywood music her Indian-born parents liked, favoring legends such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Asha Bhosle. Rimi draws her inspiration from them today as well as from international superstars such as Beyonce and Shakira- to whom she is often compared. Similar to Shakira, her music is instantly catchy and addictive, and like Shakira, Rimi is an accomplished dancer and has drop-dead gorgeous looks. “I’m very flattered by the comparisons,” says Rimi. “I’m a huge Shakira fan and admire her sheer dedication in pursuing her dreams.” Rimi’s own dedication to her passion is evident- convinced by her parents to pursue a “solid career” and think of music as only a hobby, Rimi headed to medical school. However, burning with ambition, she dropped out of med school, packed her bags and informed her parents she was headed to Mumbai (Bombay) to realize her dream. In Bombay all alone and at times having no place to live, Rimi faced one of the biggest struggles of her life. Undaunted, she persevered and was ultimately discovered by one of India’s biggest labels, T-Series, with whom she produced her album containing the hits Surmayee, Maahiya and Habibi. America, take notice- why will you love Rimi? “My music is slightly different from the “norm” but is still very relatable,” explains Rimi. “The foot-tapping beats will make you just want to move your body! With increased globalization, we Americans are now more open to new kinds of music, and I feel we’re ready for an Indian Pop Diva!” Currently based in Rockville, Maryland with her company, Open House Entertainment, Rimi plans to travel the nation as well as the globe to perform and share her music.