Rafaat Khan

Tell us about your latest release "Jomin".

"Jomin" is the remake of the song by the legendary Abdul Alim, released under 'M Records'. 'M Records' is a joint venture by me and Emon Chowdhury. It was arranged by Emon. We put a lot of heart and soul into both the song and the music video, and the effort paid off. It was very well received, and I got a lot of praise for the music video. 

Why did you choose this particular song for a remake?

I have always loved this song, and wanted to make a true remake of it. What usually happens nowadays is that many artists remake songs, but do not stay true to it. We can often see that the tone or even the core of the music has been changed. We tried to stay as loyal to our source material as possible. 

How much has your family supported you in music?

They are very supportive, and I am glad to have them. My father, Dr. I.F.M. Shahidul Islam Khan is also a singer, and I learnt singing from him. My grandfather, Dr Faizur Rahman Khan was also an artist. We used to have "Jalsha" everyday at our home. It is still mandatory for everyone to attend. My family is pretty musical if you ask me. I am currently at Universal Medical College and Hospital as a medical officer.

Why did you choose YouTube as your platform? 

I honestly think YouTube is the best and most accessible platform for musicians today. I also have a full-length album named "Nil Jochona" which contains 9 songs. The thing is, trends change and artists need to embrace the change. I do not expect any revenue back from the videos, I've even put it up on Facebook for everyone to enjoy. It has already been shared by the likes of Belal Khan, Minar and the members of Chirkutt band. I see it as a long term investment for my portfolio. 

Where do you see yourself in the future? Do you plan on making another full length album soon?

I just want to make good music. I will take it song by song, and I do not currently have plans for an album at this moment. I will be coming up with some original tracks very soon, hopefully.

Interviewed by Sadi Mohammad Shahnewaz