EP #19: Priya Ragu – Swiss-Tamil Music Artist On A Meteoric Rise To Global Fame

Priya Ragu is a Swiss-Tamil artist making uplifting R&B that explores her independence while remaining true to her Tamil heritage. Her overnight success took years to develop and her career has exploded in the last few years with her being featured in Rolling Stone India, BBC Asian Network and Vogue. Priya is also being named as an artist to keep an eye on in 2021.  She joins Ara to discuss being compared to M.I.A & being inspired by her, working alongside her brother, turning 30 & realizing there had to be more to life, quitting her full-time job and telling her parents she was going on a 6-month business trip when she was actually moving to New York to pursue her musical aspirations, and more!Follow Priya - https://www.instagram.com/priyaraguofficial/Timestamps00:54 - Introducing Priya Ragu03:13 - Giving herself 6 months to make it in the music industry05:59 - Why she chose to chase her dream in New York07:43 - Growing up in a musical family11:41 - Working alongside her brother13:40 - Wrestling with her music ambitions and parents’ expectations18:33 - Telling her parents she was on a “business trip” when she quit her job to chase her dream19:18 - The making of Priya’s hit “Good Love 2.0”22:40 - How Priya viewed her strict upbringing growing up versus now24:10 - Reconnecting with her Tamil roots in Toronto26:45 - Did it matter where she grew up, how much luck is involved in success?29:29 - Being compared to M.I.A. and wanting to collaborate with her30:47 - The independent Tamil music scene32:38 - What Priya does when she’s not making music34:03 - Insecurities, and overcoming them36:30 - The time Priya blacked out during her TEDTalk38:10 - What would Priya tell her 16-year-old self38:29 - The personal legacy Priya wants to leave behind39:29 - Being inspired by Snoh Alegra and M.I.A.41:43 - Advice Priya has for other Tamil creators43:14 - Creator Confessions47:27 - The wrap upSupport the show