In conversation with Shameless Mani: Bollytrap, weddings and more

Shameless Mani

With things gradually returning to normal in this post-quarantine period, the entertainment industry has been quick to get back on its feet. After being cooped up indoors for so long, people are looking forward to finally stepping out again to socialise and enjoy the festive season. There is one particular figure who has been making a lot of noise in the music industry. He has caught a lot of attention with his unconventional wedding DJ reel. Today, we are in conversation with Shameless Mani.

Viral Reel

Being a pioneer in the DJing industry, Shameless Mani is known for his "Smashups" and BollyTrap remixes. His compositions have been topping DJ playlists and winning the hearts of people all over the nation. After making waves in the clubbing scene for over two decades, his work has taken an innovative turn, with weddings as the medium.

Here are the insights from our conversation with DJ Shameless Mani:

First of all, congratulations on becoming such a recognised artist in the industry. Your music is everywhere these days, from nightclubs to the T20 World Cup stadium. How does it feel?

Thank you. It feels amazing to have my work be appreciated and recognised the way that it is now. The only thing I set my sights on when I make music is getting people in that zone. "It needs to make them dance," I tell myself. No matter how much time it takes, I always give it my all and try to create the perfect banger. I am absolutely thrilled every single time I see my music being loved by the crowd.

How is social media treating you these days? Your recent reel has created quite the buzz among millennials and wedding planners.

Social media has been very kind to me. My DMs have been submerged in messages from people appreciating my music and even requests to perform at their weddings and other events. I am truly so thankful for all of the people out there who take the time out of their day to message me. Your feedback gives me the boost I need to do better every day.

You are making major moves on the wedding DJ scene. What makes you and your music stand out? What kind of response do you get?

Typically, at weddings, you notice a lot of original songs being played. While that works well, people are often looking for something that is fresh and exciting. In my sets, there are no rules. When I perform, I especially love playing my exclusive unreleased remixes and watching people go crazy, especially the newer generation. They often ask, "We have never heard anything like this before; how can we get more of this?" To that, I laugh and say, "You just have to book me." My track selection, energetic performance, emceeing skills, and my ability to always deliver something fresh and innovative to the table is what makes my music and my sets stand out, I would say.

You are the inventor of the "BollyTrap" genre. How would you describe it?

As the name suggests, BollyTrap is a fusion of Bollywood and Trap with some psychedelic elements. I created the first BollyTrap mix in 2016. This genre is high in energy, created using Indian sounds and an unexpected drop that keeps you dancing all night long.

What can we expect from you in the coming months? Anything new in the making?

I have a jam-packed schedule for the upcoming months. With 15+ gigs in several different cities and the wedding season in full swing, I have my work cut out for me. I am currently working on a very special two-hour-long, non-stop DJ set for weddings, which is definitely something to keep an ear out for. You can check out my social media to find out more about my gig calendar, and hopefully attend an event whenever I am in your city.

You can connect with Shameless Mani on:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ShamelessMani

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShamelessMani

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ShamelessMani