RajStar (a/k/a Raj Makhija) is a freelance music producer, composer, sound engineer, writer and musician based out of New York and Mumbai. He has been called the “next big producer” from America, with a fresh sound described as Timbaland meets AR Rahman.
RajStar was always involved with music growing up in New Jersey around a musical family as his mother sang in a traditional Indian style and his father played Tabla, an Indian percussion instrument. In addition to this, playing bass guitar and guitar in and out of school bands (i.e. marching band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, out of school jazz programs, etc.) gave him a unique blend of musical sensibilities. He became interested in recording and composing music in the 7th grade when he bought himself a 4-track cassette recorder and began making songs.
Later, Raj worked his way into some local studios and became well versed in high end recording techniques, then pursued an audio engineering degree at SAE Institute in New York. He interned at Water Music Studios in Hoboken NJ and after some time he was able to land an internship at the world-famous New York division of Quad Studios (www.quadstudios.com). Raj and his brother formed their production company, RVM Sounds (www.rvmsounds.com), and their record label/artist management company, Soul Tap Records (www.soultaprecords.com).
At Quad RajStar was able to climb the ladder quickly and after assisting some of the best engineers in the business he began freelance engineering at some of the most respected studios in New York (Sony, Right Track Recording, later known as Legacy, Hit Factory, etc.). He was fortunate to work with many of the biggest names in the American and International markets including Musiq Soulchild, Nona Hendryx, Chamillionaire, Missy Elliott, Pandit Jasraj, and Eddie Gomez, to name a few. Through Soul Tap Records Raj and his brother managed, produced, and developed artists and were able to help push the envelope of what South Asians could do in the American mainstream, namely finishing in the top of Doritos’ Crash The Superbowl contest taking with him Nivla, P. Oberoi, and DJ Sharad. This allowed his single (Produced by RajStar & Bobby Konders) “Be Easy (Koi Naa)” to be released on Interscope Records. Most recently RajStar competed against 300+ people worldwide in the official Indaba John Legend Remix Contest. He won a sweeping victory planing 1st by popular vote as well as winning the judge's decision. The judges were John Legend, Trevor Horn, and Mantis Evar. The record will be featured on John Legend's website and myspace page shortly.
Despite his success, he remains a humble guy and makes sure he is learning each and everyday. Be on the lookout for more groundbreaking sounds from the hands of RajStar.
TODAY, Ill be co hosting on the Dave Charles radio show 102.3 hfm. Im nervous so to have you listening would be great, from 7pm (GMT) on line or radio x
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