Degrees of Contemplation…

Written by Tanya Cooling

I once heard a wise man, friend and mentor say that “one should get a degree so that one might be able to contemplate.” But I’ll be honest with you. There have been more times than I care to count when I have thought that university was a waste of my time and I didn’t fully understand the meaning of that wise man's Zen-like statement until I found myself looking across a table at a musician with an impeccably groomed, pencil thin beard, big brown eyes and a sultry pout. Rajiv Bukhory is every bit the smooth, male, R&B crooner.  He also knows how to contemplate.  It’s not always easy to pick out the moments in life when something we learned in a misty past has made all the difference but Rajiv can quote at least two occasions with confidence.

His parents were supportive of his interest in music from an early age but they also instilled in him a respect for education. So when he decided to become a singer he enrolled in a Media degree, graduating with First Class Honours. But it’s not this result that impresses him but the practical skills he acquired in achieving it.  Education made an important difference in the choices he has made and the outcomes of those choices.

We’re all a little bewitched by the idea of the average “Joe” who claws his way to success without paying for any fancy degrees or accredited training. However, undertaking a degree can more than pave your way in the world if you work at making it work for you.  Rajiv is a case in point.

Let’s imagine you would like to make an album. First factor is the hardware, software and studio hours required as well as session musicians, the spare pair of hands to press record and the guidance of a seasoned producer. Resources like these in the professional world usually come at a prohibitive cost and being forced to cut corners leads to a less impressive product and perhaps more importantly, less sales.  Rajiv was able to create his professional product before he’d even finished his degree. During his studies he produced his first music video for the bargain price of £50 worth of paint for his set. The rest was achieved through favours from friends and access to high-end equipment at the university. He posted it on YouTube, it quickly accumulated 10,000 hits and Rajiv began contemplating his next step.

It was while dealing with Audio Music Star - who supply remixes of an artist’s work, ensuring their track can be heard in different contexts and therefore reach a wider audience - that Rajiv’s education paid off a second time. Knowing that the artist remixing his single was a big name in the business he was surprised when the first submission was less than inspiring. Rajiv felt able to trust his reaction based on experience and knowledge gained during his education, he asked for a second remix.  He strongly believes without that experience he might have accepted the first mix and his career may have suffered for it.  The second remix of much higher quality was submitted and Rajiv was able to promote work he believed in.

Collaborating with producer David Brant, who has worked with major artists like Mis-Teeq and Liberty X, the singles attracted interest from EMI Japan. The speed at which the pop industry moves in Japan is almost unfathomable and with an industry focussed on youth, even baby-faced Rajiv worries that the time it takes to learn all he needs to know about running a successful career will leave him too old to have one. Being ready for the opportunity when it comes takes time, planning and experience. This might explain why so many artists leave the contemplation up to the older, more experienced manager or producer.

But once you get the hang of contemplation it is a hard habit to kick. Rajiv may well be the next big thing in R&B but he is already talking about the possibility of starting his own label, providing certain legal protection for a solo artist in the short term.  I get the feeling that Rajiv is contemplating a great deal more in the long term.

The next time you’re thinking of trading stuffy classrooms for more appealing surrounds, consider: The cost of an education? Thousands. The ability to contemplate? Priceless.

To see what Rajiv is contemplating now visit: www.rajivmusic.com