Dhaka-born EDM producer Sanjoy teams up with 'American Idol' alum Elliott Yamin

Born in Dhaka and raised in San Jose, California, where he still resides, Sanjoy Deb has produced a wide number of Electronic Dance Music tracks as well as Bollywood film songs, also collaborating with music directors such as Pritam. [arve url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TznQx5RkBR4?ecver=2"/] There was a connection between the EDM artist from Bangladesh and Elliott Yamin long before they met and collaborated on the new single “Obvi.” Sanjoy said in an interview with Billboard magazine that it all started from the first time he kissed a girl at his high school “Sadie Hawkins” dance, where Yamin’s “Wait for you” was the song playing at the dance. Female students invite the male students to a “Sadie Hawkins” dance, rather than the other way around at traditional dances such as homecoming and prom. A mutual friend, Russell Ali, introduced Sanjoy to Yamin. “Russell and I have been friends for the better part of 10 years,” Yamin explained. “He played guitar in my touring band for the first four years of my post-Idol career. He asked me to come to his studio to meet Sanjoy and vibe with some of his tracks. I loved his energy and his music, and instantly fell in love with the demo version of ‘Obvi,’ obviously!”

@GOTYJ_Ars_Vita @elliottyamin @sanjoyd #obvi #GOT7 #youngjae https://t.co/HqJHmBwbWtIt's happening! pic.twitter.com/NnEmXV4Div

— #OBVI Sanjoy (@sanjoyd) January 30, 2017

But why “Obvi”?

“Back in 2007 it was pretty standard slang to say ‘obvi’ instead of ‘obvious.’ Singers like Elliott bring back those high school memories. Along with Kunal, my best friend and executive producer, we thought shortening it would give it that nostalgic, throwback feeling. And it looks even better on the artwork,” he added. Within a half-hour of meeting Sanjoy at Ali’s studio, Yamin heard the demo version of “Obvi,” with a guide vocal by Sanjoy. “It was inspiring and infectious,” he said, “and once Sanjoy explained the story behind the song, it was even more relatable. I was hooked. He asked if I’d be interested in cutting it, and I happily obliged.” “Obvi” is a candidate for the Dance Club Songs chart, especially since Sanjoy has already enjoyed success on that tally. His single “Slip Away” peaked at #14 in September 2016.

Recorded my next single with Elliot Yamin! Blessed right now ?? I used to listen to Wait for you in 07 and used to play it as a slow dance at all my highschool dance gigs hahah #waitforyou #elliottyamin #sanjoyA photo posted by Sanjoy (@sanjoyd) on Jul 4, 2016 at 6:49pm PDT

He also collaborated with Indian singer Sunidhi Chauhan for “Ab laut aa”, India’s first EDM track to feature a Bollywood singer. The track and its accompanying music video received great acclaim due to its exposition on gender discrimination and rape culture in India. “Being from Bangladesh, appearing on the Billboard charts seemed unattainable. First, it’s unheard of for an Indian/Bengali artist to chart. I can count the South Asians who have appeared on one hand. Second, Billboard was on the other side of the world. Getting to be on the charts seemed impossible,” Sanjoy said.