Deeyah Has a “Plan of Her Own”

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Deeyah, the Norway born Asian female, who the Sunday Times (UK) has labelled as “the next big thing,” released her debut single “Plan of My Own,” this past week, to rave reviews. “Plan” can best be described as a blend of sultry r&b with a bit of desi mixed in for good measure. The track has been getting tremendous play on Desi radio station, mainly in the UK, for at least 6 months, and hopefully, the mainstream will catch on, as they have with Raghav and Jay Sean.

Deeyah recently completed a tour this past June & July, and has spent the past year working with producer, Darin Prindle, who has worked with the likes of Destiny’s Child, TLC, Madonna, Jermaine Dupri, Boyz II Men and Usher. This past August, Deeyah split her time between L.A. and Atlanta in the USA shooting the video for “Plan” award-winning director, John Lindauer whose past clients include Lauryn Hill, Mary J Blige, and Christina Aguilera.

So keep your eyes open. For more on Deeyah, click here, to hear the single (mp3), click here, and here for the video (Quicktime).

33 thoughts on “Deeyah Has a “Plan of Her Own””

  1. Like Shazia Mirza, she’s either been getting threats from fundies or is pulling an astroturf Rushdie:

    The singer, of mixed Pakistani, Afghan and Persian descent, has received intimidating phone calls, aggressive emails and verbal threats from Asian youths warning her to “tone down and cover up”… Deeyah grew up in Norway and says she had problems there too. “I released two albums and was spat at in the street and threatened at school. In the end, it was one of the main reasons why I left Norway and moved to Britain…”

  2. Good God. I watched the video and nearly fainted.

    This past August, Deeyah split her time between L.A. and Atlanta

    I live in LA! Hoorah.

  3. The tracks don’t sound ALL that great, but good luck to her…Tina Sugandh still doesn’t have any real competition desi wise in the US

  4. I just saw the video…

    I’m truly offended after seeing this video, and hearing this song…it’s an insult to music…think Britney Spears meets Jennifer Lopez…

    Don’t get me wrong – Ank G would still “light the Diya”….wink…;)

    …jeezus…that was absolutely terrible – I’m going to bed now…

  7. I really dont rate that song…I think it is weak…bland…she should listen to Jay Sean and get one of the UK Desi producers on board to beef up her sound…the music really isnt all that….she is sexy though….but you have to have the tunes to go with the image

  8. truly atrocious. and for what it’s worth, her contortions aren’t all that sexy. at least not yet. lots of time to elevate her game…

    did you read her bio though? she has some serious classical training.

  11. another pretty face wasting any talent she has by putting it into the pop music machine.

    I kept thinking “ok now she is Britney, now Beyonce, now Ace of Base, now Ciara and now J.Lo”

    uh, originality anyone? She’s classically trained and this is the best she can do?

  12. Nothing very impressive that will hit mainstream here in the states, but she’s got a shot. “Plan of my own” has a Gwen Stefani type feel, so she might be able to ride that b/c there aren’t many artists out there like her, unlike Britney/Beyonce/Ciara/Christina/etc.

  13. I agree nothing impressive, it’s sad that we actually encourage crap like this. Be original, the only band I have seen that’s not doing anything mainstream but equally talented as say The Roots is this band I found on Badmash. I can’t get their name right though I believe it’s just Tavia.

    Listen Here

  15. I would like to share that Sneha Mantri looks like a tree in one of her costumes. That is all.

  16. I would like to share that Sneha Mistri looks like a tree in one of her costumes. That is all.

  19. Why is everyone bashing her for being like Britney/J Lo/Beyonce!? There is nothing more idiotic than a fan of rock/rap/r&b music who bashes every pop star for simply being a pop star. If you don’t like pop music, that’s fine, just don’t comment on pop music. It is a compliment, not an insult, to say that Deeyah is like Britney/J Lo/Beyonce, because those are some of the most successful music stars in the world.

    For the people who think that Jay Sean or Punjabi MC are better than Deeyah– well, it’s a different type of music with a different audience. Deeyah will not end up on an American rap stations like Punjabi MC did, but she might end up on pop stations.

  20. the problem is that if you sound exactly like someone who is already out there, you’re really not bringing much that’s new to the table.

    Check out M.I.A. if you want to hear a new funky sound that at least I haven’t heard anywhere before.

    And it’s not that I don’t like pop music… I sing along with Christina, J-Lo, etc. shamelessly in the car and have been known to sing such music at karaoke. I just don’t like the fact that the Industry finds a ‘formula’ sound and about 15 different artists take it and run, with varying degrees of success. Case in point: Britney Spears and Robyn have the same producers, and their songs are interchangeable. Who do you remember best? Deeyah is using the formula, and frankly, she is missing the mark.

  21. Hey Andrea, I am going to check out M.I.A tonight. Everyone bailed on me though so I will be going alone. Hmmm. Maybe I can be a groupie. I put out.

  22. awww, abhi. if you had defected to the right coast like me, you’d be part of mutineer madness at MIA’s saturday show in nyc. we wouldn’t have ditched ya. 🙂

  25. Hey all Shakti was on the air over here in UK she is a NY girl nobodys touchin her saw her at Ministry she is the real deal with her own thing happening talk about original. check her out

  26. Deeyah is an artist that will stand the tests of time, her music is so defiant, so different, so unique, the fact she co- produces co – writes all her songs is an achievement to be proud of! Entering the UK top 40 charts this week is an unbelievable achievement! and my love and support for her is unprecendented! – all im asking is to show love to her! she deserves so much respect and recognition, she is an artist that will take to the main stage and wow audiences, she’s popular – hence “pop music”, Just love Deeyah for what and who she is! she’s living a dream! and we shouldnt hate on someone for doing that!! – if anything we should support her..

  27. Manish ~ thanks for posting that Sneha Mistri link. Her song Intoxicating is really good – I’m surprised I haven’t heard her name.

  29. A lot of you are questioning Deeyah’s ‘so called classical vocals’, if you listen to the single ‘What Will It Be’ which hopefully should be out soon, there is a Bhadshah Khan remix where Deeyah actually applies her classical talent on the single and beilieve me…it sounds AMAZING!!!

    Deeyah is not the type of person who puts in classical or indian vocals in her songs just for the sake of it, but where she feels its right. She will show her talent off (not that she isn’t already) all in good time.

    xxx

  30. There is also an edit of “plan of my own” for the asian video channels, which features a section “showcasing” deeyah’s versatility and classical music ability, it is awesome! Deeyah can also achieve this unique, distinct sound live!!!! – which many artists fail to achieve!!!!!!

  31. wow, that was bad. Really bad. As stated above, makes me appreciate M.I.A. all that much more.

    Peace

  32. I’m really feelin Deeyah. I agree with the comment about her classical training you can definitely hear it on some other trax. Deeyah is a very versatile and solid singer. Nothing but love and respect for the lady!

  33. ecuse me but all of u who think shes crap and shes coping britney and j/lo and ect ur so wrong all of u who says she crap really dont know her do u. were have u heard her on the telly internet or radio but i bet none of u have heard live have u but i have and i eveb have the autograph 2 prove it and she isnt crap at all cause i know for a fact that shr trys really hard for u lot 2 like her music it ws her dream 2 become a singer and u sayin all of those horrible things isnt really appropriate if u dont like her then dont listen 2 her k because u dont know how hard she trys. so maybe once in ur life u should actually listen 2 somebody and listen 2 wot there saying and stop trying 2 dis them all the time k