Following the success of her debut album HUNTER on May 24, Indian American pop star, Rhea Raj captivates listeners once again with a cover single. On September 10, Rhea Raj served a cup of nostalgia at Spotify x Coke Studios with her emotive rendition of Pakistani singer Amir Jamal’s song “Kaho Na Kaho” — a Hindi-pop classic. Singing in Arabic and Hindi for the very first time, Rhea Raj performed the bilingual hit and immersed the public in a romantic serenade.
Kaho Na Kaho
Alongside featuring for the soundtrack of the 2004 Hindi romantic thriller Murder, “Kaho Na Kaho” might sound familiar to fans of the film. “Kaho Na Kaho” is a rendering of the Arabic pop song “Tamally Maak” (Translation: “Always With You”) sung by Egyptian pop singer Amr Diab in 2000 from his eponymously named album. The renowned song has been interpreted in a variety of languages. For this pop icon, she performed the Bollywood song while adding a bit of Rhea Raj flair.
Upon the first key played and note sung, Rhea spellbounds listeners with her vocals. In a room with only Saint Stephen on keys and a mic, the two artists set the stage for a haunting listening experience you can’t turn away from. Rhea Raj takes the timeless pop track and transforms it into a passionate serenade. Seamlessly blending the original’s Hindi-Arabic fusion and soulful tone, Rhea’s use of classical vocal techniques amplifies her vocal prowess. Poetic lyrics, wistful synths, and sultry vocals gradually intensify as the song progresses, reflecting the track’s desirous emotions and making the ethereal and reminiscent soundscape of “Kaho Na Kaho.”
Currently In Her HUNTER Era
Rhea Raj’s performance marked the beginning of her collaboration with Spotify x Coke and a series of acoustic performances featuring songs from HUNTER as stated via press release. Through the success of her debut album, Raj has captivated audiences with music videos for tracks like “HUSH” and “MESSY,” and continues to thrive in her HUNTER era.
Not only standing as a Gold House x Spotify feature artist, Raj has garnered recognition from publications such as Vogue India for her unique blend of Western and Indian influences. Raj’s upcoming projects will continue to explore her cultural heritage and its impact on her music, fashion, and style.
Make sure to check out Rhea Raj’s cover single performance “Kaho Na Kaho” on YouTube and follow her socials on X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Looking to learn more about Rhea Raj? Check her out on the cover of our Gold Issue here!
