Embracing different languages seems to be the theme of Tia Bajpai’s Love Mafia. The singer and actor’s 12-track album, made in collaboration with Prince Romal, isn’t just a collection of songs. To Bajpai, it’s a sonic passport that travels from India to Africa and Korea — as she attempts singing in Korean, Swahili, and Latin — all tied together by the pulse of Afro house. In a chat with mid-day, she talks about how her curiosity and restlessness led to the experimental album.
Excerpts from the interview.
Love Mafia feels like a long journey. Where did it begin?
After Jugni got so much love in 2024, Prince and I thought why stop there. But we didn’t want to rush into another single. We wanted to build something immersive. Afro house drew us in; it has soul, but also makes you move. From there, the album took shape over a year.
She headlined several Hindi films, including Vikram Bhatt’s ‘Haunted 3D’ and ‘1920: Evil Returns’
You’ve attempted Swahili and Korean songs with the album. Was that intimidating?
Very, but it was also exciting! I didn’t want to play safe. Music is evolving so quickly, and as artistes, we can’t afford to stay in one lane. Singing in Swahili or Korean wasn’t just about sounding different, it was about feeling different. I remember spending days just getting the pronunciation right.
Lift Me Up, a mix of Swahili and English, stands out.
There’s something raw and emotional about African music. Afro house feels like it comes straight from the heart, and the Swahili language carries that emotion beautifully.
Tell us how the songs are structured.
Each song has its own identity. For instance, Under the Cherry Blossom Tree has a Korean hook — it’s delicate and dreamy. Amore plays with Hindi and Latin, while Mecca Mecca is rooted in Hindi. Then there is Closer Tonight that blends English and Hindi. I didn’t want to overcommit to languages I’m still learning, so I used them where they felt most natural.
What drove this need to experiment?
Curiosity and restlessness. If we don’t try new things, how will we grow? In science, discoveries happen because someone dared to experiment. Why shouldn’t music work the same way?
On my playlist: Iqbal Khan
>> There’s a music piece by David Tolk called ‘Pray’. It’s mind-blowing.
>> [I keep listening to] ‘Tu Jhoom’ by Abida Parveen. I also enjoy Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s qawwalis because they have amazing lyrics.
>> Sometimes I have to listen to ‘Baby Shark’ because I have a four-year-old child.
