Breaking Barriers: Veronica Mehta's Journey as a Singer/Songwriter in the Music Industry
We sat down with the trailblazing Veronica Mehta. Veronica is a multi-award-winning and internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, and composer, is widely recognised as one of the leading and most distinguished female artists in the music industry. She is celebrated as a key pioneer of the British Asian R&B fusion music scene, seamlessly blending traditional South Asian sounds with contemporary influences.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself - a little intro 🌟
My name is Veronica and I am a singer-songwriter. I sing in English, Hindi and Punjabi.
What were the biggest challenges you faced as an artist starting out?
I would say the biggest challenge I faced as an artist was when I was starting out, I faced a lot of prejudices. I faced a lot of sexism and racism. It was really difficult because there weren't many females in the industry and there wasn't a lot of support for females coming out into music, especially in the Asian industry.
Having social media has really made a massive difference for people - to be able to just get out there and put their music out.
What does your songwriting process look like? Do you have any rituals or habits that spark creativity?
I love songwriting and it's something that comes quite naturally to me from quite a young age. I find that when I hear a piece of music or a beat it really helps spark that inspiration for me. Sometimes I may just have some lyrics - the lyrics come to me first and then I will work on a melody or just hear this melody and I'll be like, ‘right, I've got to get that down, I've got to note that down’ and get it into a song.
How do you approach collaborations with other artists or producers?
Working with other artists and producers on collaborations is always very exciting because you're bringing your two energies together and that energy, the way you bounce and create music and songs, it's amazing. So it could be that someone approaches me and says, ‘Right, let's work on this project together - are you up for this?’ or I might be thinking, ‘Oh, you know I'd love to work with this artist’ and approach them and then you know we do a duet together. Generally, the energy and the vibe are what you go on and it's very exciting to see what the result is going to be.
You have to be extremely careful in the music industry because it's easy to get burned, it's easy to get taken for a ride
As someone with significant experience in the industry, what changes have you observed in the music industry over the years?
Being in the industry for a long time definitely allows you to see the growth and changes that have happened throughout the years. I think the biggest change I’ve seen is an influx of more artists coming through and more opportunities. Having social media has really made a massive difference for people - to be able to just get out there and put their music out. The other obvious change is instead of having the record shops and going to buy your cassettes and your CDs, everything is just streamed now, it's so readily available and accessible.
What advice would you give to aspiring singers who are trying to navigate the music industry?
You always have to be careful. There are always people out there who will say that they’ll help you, that they'll take you somewhere. You have to be extremely careful in the music industry because it's easy to get burned, it's easy to get taken for a ride. Especially when you're so passionate about what you do, you feel that when somebody offers you an opportunity, you know, wow. It might be too good to be true. Always think that. Is it too good to be true or is this something that I can try and find another route and go around it?
What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
The most rewarding moment in my career so far has been this year when I got to release two new records on my own record label, which is VisPop Records. I released a track called Gone and one called Don't Walk Away with Shin from DCS. Both produced by Rishi Rich - that was the moment when I realised I had total control over my creativity and the business side. Having taken some time out from the industry because of my cancer, you have these doubts in your mind, you feel that you won't be able to come back or be stronger or be as you were and so I feel like that has been most definitely the most rewarding moment for myself.
the motivation for me comes from just the love of being creative, just knowing that I have this gift and just believing in myself that I can't give up, I can't stop.
How do you stay motivated and continue evolving as an artist?
The music industry is a really, really tough industry - there's no set way in which you can achieve your goals. Sometimes you're really lucky and you fall into things and sometimes you could be working your socks off but you just don't get anywhere. So the motivation for me comes from just the love of being creative, just knowing that I have this gift and just believing in myself that I can't give up, I can't stop. I just love what I do and that is the core motivation for me.
Can you share any details about upcoming projects or collaborations that fans can look forward to?
I'm very excited about the next project that I'm working on. It's a garage track and I’m collaborating with an artist called HMC who's a rapper. He's been around for some time and is an absolute legend - I'm so excited. This will be dropping hopefully early next year, 2025. And aside from that, I'll also definitely be having more music coming out.
I love that I have been able to be part of someone's journey in that moment, in time in their life and whether it's been able to give them comfort or escapism or joy or happiness
What do you hope listeners take away from your music on a personal level?
When people say to me, ‘I was going through this time or I was in a bad place in my mind and in my life and you really helped to get me through it’ - for me, that is the icing on the cake. I love that I have been able to be part of someone's journey in that moment, in time in their life and whether it's been able to give them comfort or escapism or joy or happiness, like that really makes me happy.
A favourite artist/song on your playlist right now?
Favourite artist of mine, well, one of them is Chris Brown, who I'm listening to a lot right now. I just love his music, his vibe, his style - I just love that whole R&B vibe.
Catch up with Veronica:
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