Saloni and Farooq Got Audio in the music video “Rani”. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Artists from the Desi diaspora are claiming more space, as singer-songwriter Saloni’s new song “Rani” with producer Farooq Got Audio shows us.
Fluctuating between Hindi and English bars, Saloni talks about how she’s a “brown-skinned queen, let me wear my crown/I don’t play games when the sari’s out” over a dark trap beat that seemingly samples Carnatic guitar stylings. There are plenty of regal elements in the video, shot by filmmaker Akash in Milton Keynes, as Saloni appropriately dons a headpiece and sits on a regal throne, while other scenes take on familiar hip-hop visual tropes, including cars speeding down a vacant road and more.
In a statement, the singer said of the track: “It’s not the kind of track I would normally make, but when I first heard the beat I knew it was a crazy song and collaborating with the one and only Farooq Got Audio to bring it to life was incredible. The meaning behind this track really comes from the phase I feel I’m in in life, where I’m taking the reins of my career and going after what I love to do. Just like the title of the track, this song evokes bad b-queen vibes, so I hope you all feel the energy too!”
On Instagram, Saloni summed up the new song as one of empowerment. “It took me years to see that I deserve everything I work towards. I pray this song helps you accept that you are also worthy of your crown,” she says.
‘Rani’ follows Saloni’s previous release ‘Chal Soniya’ featuring Punjabi artist H-Dhami and producer Mazza on the Track. Previously, Farooq was known for ‘Welcome To The Party’ while Saloni’s breakthrough hit is the Telugu song ‘Nee Gundellounna’ featuring Bilal Shahid in 2023.
Watch the video for “Rani” below.
