Ranjini (singer)

Ranjini aka Indian Princess, or simply known as Ranjini, is an Indian-American recording artist and songwriter. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Ranjini first began singing under the tutelage of her mother, Uma Ettigi, who taught her Indian classical vocal. From a young age, she also had a strong desire to learn how to play the piano and played by ear until her parents agreed to enroll her in formal piano lessons at age 11. As a preteen, Ranjini started experimenting with pop and R&B after discovering artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion- singers which influenced Ranjini's vocal style.

Background

While a sophomore in high school, her show choir director made Ranjini vocal captain; oftentimes she led the upper classmates in their rehearsals. Knowing her director put that much faith in her was what motivated Ranjini to pursue music as a career. During her first year studying at NYU as a politics major, Ranjini auditioned for Quincy Patrick, Grammy Award winning songwriter and producer, in hopes of becoming part of a multicultural girl group he was putting together at the time. She ended up getting selected for the group and even came up with the group name M'Sala, meaning "hot mix". She decided to put her college career on hold to devote her time fully to music and the group. Shortly after the group disbanded, Patrick signed Ranjini as a solo artist on QwiLite Records.

Artistry

Ranjini rose to fame as a solo artist in 2007 predominantly in the UK with her releases "Music Box" and "This Guy". Ranjini released a remix of "Don't Matter" feat. Akon and "Instant Message” was played on Music Choice Radio the summer of 2007. In 2009, after the death of Michael Jackson, Ranjini and label-mate J-Remedy recorded a tribute song called 6/25, written and produced by Quincy Patrick. The song was added as one of the songs on the official Michael Jackson tribute album, "The Beat of Our Hearts" released worldwide in October 2010. In Nov. 2010, "A QwiLite Christmas" was released which is a compilation CD of Ranjini, J-Remedy, and Ben Moody. "Red, Green, & Gold", written and performed by Ranjini, is one of the cuts off that record.

Following the success of these singles, she released her remake of "Silly", followed by her latest single "Greedy" in the US. Her newest single "I belong to you" is scheduled to release in January 2013. Ranjini continues to perform throughout the US, Canada, and India. Ranjini writes or co-writes much of her own music with Patrick. Her signature sound is a blend of mainstream pop and subtle Indian nuances.

Discography

References

• http://www.littleindia.com/business/2013-their-double-life.html
• http://www.nirvanawoman.net
• http://www.nirvanastyle.com
• http://www.blastro.com
• http://luckmedia.com/old/ranjini/biography.html
• http://www.reverbnation.com/page_object/page_object_bio/117668
• http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/
• http://qwiliterecords.ning.com/