SCOTLAND-BASED Rupa Mooker divides her time between a successful career in law and hosting her own radio show on Awaz FM.
She mixes up playing hits with interviews, news and gossip on the popular Asian station. Eastern Eye got Rupa to select 10 songs she loves...
Kinha Sohna by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: I heard this song as a youngster and was absolutely mesmerised by his voice. I later fell in love with the Bally Sagoo version. The recent OK Jaanu! version is also excellent. An all-round brilliant song!
Killing Me Softly by The Fugees: This released in my last year of high school, which was when I also passed my driving test. I have fantastic memories of chilling with my friends, driving around and blasting this on repeat. I love the intimate lyrics, hip-hop beat and Lauryn Hill’s amazing voice.
Badalon Mein Chup Raha Hai Chand from Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee: I’m an absolute sucker for 1990s Bollywood love songs, but this is a favourite. I loved the picturisation of it on Rahul Roy and Pooja Bhatt, the lyrics, music and the voices of Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik. It takes me back to my teenage years every time!
Kabhi Kabhie (title track): This was released before I was born, but I grew up listening to it as it’s my dad’s all-time favourite. Every time I hear it, it brings back memories of being young and it being played in our house. When I saw the film and how the song fitted into it, I fell in love with it even more.
No Diggity by Blackstreet ft Dr Dre and Queen Pen: One of the best songs of all-time! It also released in my first year of university and featured in many a good night out in Glasgow back in the day. Happy times! I’ve also passed it on to a new generation. My sons, who are eight and 10, both love it too.
Tera Chehra (Unplugged) by Adnan Sami Khan: This song really showcases Adnan Sami Khan’s fantastic piano and singing skills. I love listening to it when it’s raining outside Bollywood-style, which is quite a lot, as it rains a fair bit in my home city of Glasgow.
Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars: This is just a brilliant, happy, fun song, with catchy lyrics and an excellent video. It makes me smile every time I hear it! My husband and I took our boys to see Bruno Mars in concert and it is one of the best live performances I have ever seen of a song.
Like I Love You by Justin Timberlake: I actually love every single song on the Justified album – it’s one of the few albums where I don’t have to skip a track! If I had to pick a favourite, it would be this cool song.
Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno: I’m a huge fan of 1970s and 1990s Bollywood music, so anything released after that has to be pretty amazing to catch my attention. But this song did. This has a real timeless classic sound about it and is so romantic.
Mirza by Panjabi MC: There are so many folk versions of Mirza, but I absolutely love what Panjabi MC did with this track. The way he brought such a fresh feel to a really traditional song is just brilliant, and I think helped to inspire a whole new generation’s interest in Punjabi music and culture.
n Instagram: @radiorupa and www.awazfm.co.uk
