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Check out Prita's new music video "God Be With You" and free single available here.
Support Prita as she teams up with the Stephen Lewis Foundation !
Prita was born in Montreal, Canada before moving to Orlando, Florida at the age of fifteen. After living in Orlando for seven years, she returned to Montreal and obtained a degree in psychology at Concordia University. She has since been based between Toronto and Orlando pursuing her singing/songwriting career.
Love of Music
For Prita, music is something comfortable and natural. Writing and performing are spiritual experiences; almost as though a muse speaks through her. Music has always had a hold over Prita, and to deny her ambition would be to deny herself. Music is the blood which runs through her veins and leaves her feeling like she's lived her life...fulfilled.
Music Experience
Prita has been singing and writing music since childhood, including the orchestra score for her high school graduation. While living in Florida, she often performed at Disney World, in addition to concerts put on with Valencia College and InTone.
Prita has toured steadily across North America since the release of her debut CD Spread The Word in 2009, produced by JUNO Nominated Othentic Productions. She has been featured at shows alongside #1 Billboard artist Jay Sean ; world renowned comic Russell Peters ; Grammy nominee Eric Roberson ; and Michael Jackson tribute group Signature to name a few.
Prita has received top billing at numerous South Asian festivals from Ottawa to Calgary, and at some of North Americas biggest mainstream festivals, ranging from the Florida Music Festival in Orlando to PRIDE in Toronto. Prita also performed at several of the IIFA 2011 Toronto festivities, and spoke alongside Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti at Markhams IIFA press conference.
Prita was nominated 'Best Female Act' at the 2010 Toronto Independent Music Awards, and received a 2010 Excellence In Entertainment award from the National Association of Indo-Canadians. Roots, Pritas debut music video and new single, had its world premiere at Tampas 2nd annual India International Film Festival, and also screened at film festivals in Seattle and Vancouver.
I nfluences
Prita has a variety of musical influences, each coming together to form her unique style. One of her favourite artists, since childhood, is Bette Midler. Every day, she would listen to her tapes at home and dream of being a singer. More contemporary influences include Our Lady Peace, Dave Matthews Band and Nelly Furtado. Being South Asian, Prita values her cultural heritage as an important influence on her music. She has studied classical Indian music as well as Western music, and strives to create a blend between the two in her songs.
AIDS Awareness & Community Outreach
In 2008, Prita followed the lead of her childhood heroine Oprah Winfrey, and became one of 6 students selected to participate in a research study trip to Malawi, Africa. The purpose of the trip was to do grassroots level research on HIV/AIDS, so that they could return to Canada to educate youth about the millennium development goals, and to bring awareness about global issues. For Prita, the trip was a life changing experience.
Prita has since visited numerous Canadian schools and community centres as a keynote speaker to give presentations about HIV/AIDS and life in Malawi. On December 1, 2009 for World AIDS Day 2009, Prita released her interpretation of a traditional Malawi song entitled "May God Be With You" as a free single to help continue her awareness efforts. Prita also premiered a self-directed short film of the same title about her trip to Malawi at FILMI, North America's longest running South Asian film festival.
Throughout 2010, Prita acted as an ambassador for CANFAR (the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research), appearing in public service announcements and helping raise awareness for the organization at her concerts. Having counted MP Justin Trudeau as one of her supporters, Prita was honoured to be invited to give a special presentation to students at Pierre Trudeau high school in Markham, Ontario on the afternoon of December 1, 2010 for World AIDS Day 2010.
On December 21, 2010, Prita was also invited to The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto to sing Christmas carols for patients, as part of Milton restaurateur Troy Newton's annual "Troy's Toy Drive" in partnership with the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation - which also included a performance by Prita at the Milton Santa Claus Parade.
Anthems
Prita has sung the Canadian anthem at Parliament Hill in Ottawa for key government dignitaries, and has performed the Canadian and American anthems at games for several high profile sports leagues across North America, including the OHL, AHL, NLL and MLB leagues.
On April 4, 2009, Prita received worldwide media attention when she became the first South Asian recording artist to sing the national anthems at an NBA game, for the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre in front of 15,000 fans. Prita was immediately invited by the NBA to sing for the Orlando Magic only a few days later on April 9 at the Amway Arena. On January 3, 2011, Prita returned to sing for the Orlando Magic at their new Amway Center.
Photo by Bob Gundu of Ten Frame Handles
February 3, 2012
Prita has been selected as one of ANOKHI Magazine's 2012 "Sexy & Successful List" and will be performing at ANOKHI's "Bollywood in Vegas" event at the Maro Supper Club celebrating the release of their 2012 "Sexy & Successful" issue. See Prita's spread in the issue here
December 14, 2011
Prita made history singing the American and Canadian anthems for the NHL's first ever "India Day" game, when the Ottawa Senators played the Boston Bruins at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa! Prita also performed her hit single "Roots" at the post game reception, with several NHL executives and government ministers in attendance. Check out Prita singing "O Canada" on Sens TV here and see the CBC Ottawa News story here
December 1, 2011
Prita continues to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS by performing for Casey House's annual 'Voices of Hope' World Aids Day Benefit presented by the MAC AIDS FUND, and by speaking at the Alliance For South Asian Aids Prevention (ASAAP)'s World Aids Day Conference. Prita also appears on CBC's Metro Morning to announce the release of her new video " God Be With You " commemorating World Aids Day, and the single is available for free here
November 27, 2011
Prita will be performing at Richmond Hill's "Santa Claus Parade" in the afternoon, and will be honored with an award in the evening at CJMR 1320 AM's "Chirhian Da Chamba" event, at which Prita will also perform. Check out the story on UrbanAsian here
November 1, 2011
Prita is featured in a full page spread in MAXIM India as their 'Hottie of the Month', and appears on the cover of Spain's TEGI Magazine! Check out the story on UrbanAsian here
October 20, 2011
Prita has been chosen as SHARP Magazine's 'Sharp Woman of the Month'! Check out the interview and photo gallery here
October 7, 2011
Prita is performing today in Brampton at Shoppers Drug Mart (Great Lakes & Bovaird location) for 'Girls Night Out For A Cause' benefitting Shoppers' "Look Good Feel Better" campaign! Check out the story in the Brampton Guardian here
September 30, 2011
Prita's new music video "Dance", directed by Jazz Virk and featuring British R&B superstar Navin Kundra, is world premiering at the FILMI South Asian Film Festival in Toronto tonight! Check out the story on UrbanAsian here
September 24, 2011
Prita is performing today alongside former WWE superstar Tiger Ali Singh, Bollywood supergroup RDB, and many more at Tigerfest Brampton! Check out the story on UrbanAsian here
September 18, 2011
Prita is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Florida's PARDES Magazine, and will be performing today at their annual IndoPak Fest on Ft. Lauderdale Beach!
August 29, 2011
Prita's recent live taping at MusiquePlus will be airing across Canada on the station next week, but the online preview is already available to view here
July 27, 2011
Check out Prita's feature story in the new issue of FUSIA Magazine - Prita will also be performing at the issue launch party tonight, which is being hosted by CP24's Farah Nasser!
July 16, 2011
Prita's "Roots" music video will be screening at Vancouver's 2nd annual South Asian Film Festival! Check out the story on UrbanAsian here
June 21, 2011
Prita is the Tampa Bay Times' "Artist of the Day" and will be appearing on the CBS Tampa "Studio 10" talk show. To read the article, click here
June 12, 2011
Prita is an official performer at the 2011 IIFA Awards events! Read the story on DesiHits! here and their interview with Prita here . Also check out Prita's feature in the Mississauga News here
May 28, 2011
Prita is interviewed on CBC's "Fresh Air". To hear the interview, click here . She is also featured on City TV News in Toronto while peforming at desiFEST 2011 . To see the clip, click here
May 27, 2011
Prita is interviewed by CP24, Toronto's Breaking News Channel. To see the interview, click here
May 21, 2011
Prita is interviewed by Wojtek Gwiazda of CBC's "MASALA CANADA". To hear the interview, click here
May 20, 2011
Prita is Gay Guide Toronto's "Woman of the Hour" and will be performing at PRIDE Toronto 2011. To read the article, click here
May 16, 2011
Prita is interviewed for Canada's #1 urban magazine "Urbanology" and for Canada's national newspaper "The Globe & Mail". Read the Urbanology article here and the full Globe & Mail article posted on MyBindi.com here
May 2, 2011
Prita is interviewed for Canada's #1 indie music TV program "Aux Weekly". To see the interview, click here
May 1, 2011
Prita launches her new web site and releases her new single "Roots" worldwide for sale in all major digital stores, timed with the start of 'South Asian Heritage Month' in Canada. Read the story on IMDb News here and check out the official "Roots" music video here
April 27, 2011
Prita presents a Canadian premiere of her debut music video "Roots" at Tiger Jeet Singh Public School in Milton. Prita will also be visiting several Ontario schools with Tiger Jeet Singh and Tiger Ali Singh as part of their Foundation's Japan relief wristband campaign. To purchase a wristband, click here
April 7, 2011
Prita is the first solo recording artist of South Asian Heritage to perform at the Florida Music Festival in their 10 year history. Read the story on IMDb News here
April 1, 2011
Prita appears alongside actress Lisa Ray and TSN's Michael Landsberg at Valley Park Middle School for their "Crazy for Cricket, Canada's Biggest Sleepover" event. To view CP24 and CBC coverage of the event, click here
February 20, 2011
Prita presents a world premiere of her debut music video "Roots" at Tampa's 2nd annual India International Film Festival (IIFF). View the video teaser here and the DesiHits! coverage here
December 29, 2010
Prita is interviewed by "VerveGirl", Canada's #1 classroom magazine here and by DesiHits! here
April 21, 2010
Prita is featured on India's #1 news site rediff.com here
Prita would love to hear from you! Send her an email at:
prita_pritamusic.com
For all booking or media requests:
Raoul Juneja
Lyrical Knockout Entertainment
holla_lyricalknockout.com
416-988-5363
Follow Prita at your favorite sites!
To purchase a digital copy of an album, simply click on the album cover.
To purchase Limited Edition autographed copies of any albums, please contact us.
2009: Spread The Word
Tracks:
1. I Want You
2. Dance
3. Stronger
4. What I Want To Be (To Somebody)
5. You've Got Me
6. Dark Corner
7. Tera Pyar (Your Love)
2011: Roots
1. Roots (Othentic Mix)
2. Roots (Othentic Desi Mix)
3. Roots (Produced by JoSH)
To hear samples of music, use this music player.
Following My Heart
When I was a kid, there were two people whom I pretended to be: Bette Midler and Oprah Winfrey.
I would sit in front of my mirror and watch myself interview my dolls and I’'d listen and sing along to all my Bette Midler cassette tapes non-stop. To this day, when I sing, I get a strong feeling in my heart and my ultimate dream is to be a famous singer. Music moves me and drives me. I can’'t describe the feeling in my heart except that it’'s a strong burning that I cannot ignore. I’'ve always said that music is the blood that runs through my veins. I’'m following this feeling in my heart to see where it will lead me. It’'s exciting and scary all at once.
So what does this have to do with me being in Africa? Well, on the eve of my birthday this year, I finished watching Oprah’'s DVD special. She really inspires and motivates me. The last segment I watched was about her trip to Africa. I was so moved and inspired that I couldn'’t stop crying! Most importantly, I got that same feeling in my heart as the one that drives me to sing. I felt so driven and passionate. I just knew that this 25th year of my life had to be different. I couldn’t just think about doing things, I actually had to DO them. I made a wish and asked God to please present me with an opportunity to follow this strong feeling. I swore that if any opportunity were presented, I would go for it. I didn’'t know why I became so motivated and passionate, but something in my heart was telling me I had to become involved and just like with my singing, I couldn’'t ignore the feeling.
Lo and behold, the opportunity was granted to me when I started school at Vanier College in the fall. At orientation, we were given a student planner and the first page I opened up to was one with a flyer about a study trip to Malawi, Africa. The flame in my heart burned and I knew right there and then, without a doubt, that I would be selected for this trip.
Now that I’'ve gone and come back, I cannot even begin to explain how wonderful and meaningful this trip has been. I feel changed as a person and I feel like my understanding of the world has completely expanded. I was once someone who’d never been camping and knew very little about the world outside my Montreal bubble. I have just spent three weeks without wearing makeup, without straightening my hair, living in a house with no electricity and seeing the biggest bugs in the world…and being OK with all of it. I’'ve taken baths with a little pail and I have climbed the biggest mountain I’'ve ever seen and I didn’'t die (though I thought I was going to when I was climbing). I’'ve also grown as a musician because I’'ve had the opportunity to sing in public three times in Africa. A year ago, Africa is the last place in this world that I would have thought would hear me sing. I got to sing in a church, sing at a member of parliament’'s house and sing for the whole village! That alone just blows my mind.
Along with singing, there are a few memories that really stand out from this trip. The first one was when we just arrived at our home in Makupo Village. Everyone in the village was there waiting for us. Our van door slid open and I could see all the villagers staring at us, and we were doing the same to them, trying to get a grasp of what was going on and get a feel of who these people were. I was the first one to get out of the van and there was a moment of complete silence and hesitation. A woman welcomed us with a big smile and offered a handshake. I don'’t know what came over me but I just hugged her instead. It was like with that hug, all the awkward ice crashed to the floor and everyone started laughing and talking all at once. The silence was totally broken. I got bombarded by women and children all wanting to hug me. They swarmed me… it was amazing! I didn’'t see any of my group members until I got into our house because there were so many new faces surrounding me. It was honestly the most amazing, loving, warm welcome I have ever received and it was from people who didn'’t even know me! This gem of a memory was a great way to start this study trip and only a pre-cursor of more of the love and warmth that Malawi was to show us.
Another gem moment was when we visited an orphanage. As we got to the orphanage, the orphans started to sing and dance to greet us. Their singing was amazing. It was so in tune and they harmonized their voices, a cappella, with such ease. I picked up one of the orphans and she smiled up at me with the cutest little face in the world. When it came time to put her back down, she wrapped her legs around my waist really tight so it was impossible to put her back down. Her caretaker had to come and rip her body away from mine. It was so unexpected and it made me very emotional. It was such a real, short, raw moment but yet still so powerful. My heart went out to her and all the orphans in Malawi. We met so many. They all live a life I just can’'t quite wrap my head around. They were definitely some of the strongest people I’'ve ever met in my life. I really wish that they never give up hope and that they keep their heads high and looking forward. They have so much potential, such brilliant minds and amazing qualities as human beings.
During this trip we also had the opportunity to meet people involved in Malawi’'s Government. One particular interview really stood out to me and it was with a woman named Emily and a man named Aleke Banda. Aleke Banda is a member of parliament and works with Emily with an organization called Kunyanja Development Organisation (KUDO). Emily is the executive director of KUDO. We learned that KUDO is doing a lot of amazing things to help the people of Nkhata Bay South. It is one of the poorest areas of Malawi. They are helping these people become more self-sufficient by teaching them skills such as carpentry, brick laying, tinsmith, sewing, cooking, baking, and giving them livestock such as pigs and goats. They have a community center that also feeds orphans and provides life skills for youths. Emily spoke a lot about women and how they have no voice in this society. It was always something that bothered her and so she decided to leave her job in the city and work in the village to help her fellow villagers. She said something amazing that really struck me personally. She said that she didn’'t know why she was doing this, but that something deep in her heart was telling her to just do it. The moment she said that, I started to cry. She was doing so many amazing things, she is the voice for these women and she is just one person. It confirmed my decision to follow my own heart and she was an excellent example of one individual making a huge difference. Just looking at her, one knew she was doing the right thing and that she was going to succeed. Aleke Banda also spoke very inspirational and motivating words. He used to be a cabinet member of the MCP, which is the old government of Malawi. Aleke told us that he once gave advice, which was not favoured by the prior government, and he was sent to jail for 4 years and under house arrest for another 8 years for giving that advice. He inspired me because he fought for his values despite what others thought. Look at him now, still fighting and making a huge difference for these people living in Nkhata Bay. KUDO may be a small organization, but they are doing something so grand, and they have got the ball rolling. It was just amazing to me.
