Tune in: Melody matters

Manjeet Ral, better known as Manj Musik was famously a part of Punjabi music group RDB. He also produces music in collaboration with his wife Nindy Kaur and the duo have been pioneers in the style of British bhangra. The Swag Mera Desi and Desi Hip Hop star has recently worked on Lak Hilade with Amy Jackson and Mar Gaye with Sunny Leone. A chat about Manj’s musical favourites:

One song on repeat on your iPod these days: Skrillex and Rick Ross’ Purple Lamborghini from Suicide Squad.

Five songs in the soundtrack of your life: Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson. Aja Mahi, the first song I ever sang and produced. Down Down Down by Jay Sean. It reminds me of my son Anoop. It was his favourite song. Boom Boom Boom by Black Eyed Peas. Shera Di Kaum, which was the first epic anthem I created for Akshay paaji (Kumar) and it took us to Bollywood.

A song you love to listen to when you’re: Happy and upbeat: Happy by Pharell Williams. It lifts my mood to another level altogether. Really low: Bilal Saeed’s Adhi Adhi Raath. Working out: Any Skrillex track.

Music you used to love as a kid or a teenager that you’re now embarrassed by: Actually, I’m proud of the silly songs and dances I used to do to Michael Jackson and MC Hammer tracks. Maybe MC Hammer, though (laughs). You would describe your taste in music as: Worldwide! I listen to anything in any language. Anything which I feel connected with.

Favourite time and way to listen to music: There are some nights when I totally feel drenched in music and I go into a state of trance; music has that power, it is godly.

One band/ musician you’d want a private concert from: Michael Jackson if he was alive, but now probably a Skrillex mashup with Justin Timberlake and Busta Rhymes.