Yashan: class act ... impressario...

Yashan (formerly Redrum) has become one of Sri Lanka’s most popular hip hop artistes in recent times. Although he started out as a singer in true hip hop style, he has branched out into producing, TV/radio presenting, video directing and promoting new artistes through his record label. To date Yashan has scored nine number-one hit singles with well-known Sri Lankan artistes. These include, Moonlight Queen with K.Sujeewa, Kumara Thalen with Uresha Ravihari, Nethuaga with Subani Harshani, Sandawathuren part-2 with Ashanthi, Bamba kotapu hinda with Santhush and Puruddakda sasare with Bathiya.
Yashan is also a tireless and energetic entertainer who has performed at over 300 concerts within the last three years including the successful Neththara concert by Bathiya & Santhush, the Sirasa Sundown Carnival, YFM BIG BANG, Winter Flames, Roc da mic-1 @ Tramps-Galadari & Roc da mic-2 at Mount Beach, Reach out 2, 3 & 4 and YFM Anniversary Concert. LAKBIMAnEWS met Yashan as he gets ready to release his second album.
“I’m busy working on my second album to be out in June this year. I also released a new song called Siththamak wage two weeks ago to the radio and I’m getting a very good response,” he said. Although he is busy with his album he is also working with several new comers to the field. “I’m producing some songs for some new artistes and have planned a few events to be held at my club The Mirrors.
Yashan adds that the response he got for the first single Siththamak wage off the album has been very encouraging and believes that this is an indication that his second album will propel his career to new heights. The single is a sample of the musical direction of the album. “Well, it’s a very energetic upbeat hip hop song. I wrote the lyrics and the music was composed by Sanuka Wickramasinghe. Recording, mixing and mastering was done by Nisal Gangodage. Musically speaking, the album is totally different from my first album.”

Second album

Yashan’s first album Sandawathuren made him a well known figure in the local hip hop scene. Seven tracks from the CD got a lot of airplay and that popularity led him to perform with many of the industry’s well known figures. He plans to build on this success and reach a much broader audience with his second album.
“I took time to make this album because of two reasons. Number one was that most of the songs on my first album had a good radio air play and it’s still doing pretty well. So I wanted to give all my fans enough time to enjoy it to the fullest. The second reason was that I wanted to take time to do a much better record and I worked with the best in the business. I think this album is accessible to everyone,” he said.
Despite all the time he puts into his second album, Yashan has been working with several young artistes he promotes through HOT MUSIC RECORDS. “The very first artiste I promoted through my label became quite popular and I’m glad about it.
He is Thimo and the title of his song is Mula Karana”. The second, Young one is becoming very popular among the youth now and his song Yauwana kale got into the charts as well. I am working with several others. They too will release their tracks in the coming months.”
Yashan is also the host of YFM SATURDAY HOT BEAT and is the owner of The Mirrors club in Palm Beach Hotel, Mount Lavinia. “The show is getting better and better and we have a huge fan base now, not only in Sri Lanka but also in many other countries with a Sri Lankan population.”