Humility is one word that comes to mind when we write the words Dean Chohan. No stranger to the limelight Asian singer and songwriter Dean signed his first recording contract at the tender age of 12 and since then has toured some of the world’s best and reputable venues as far as the US, major parts of Africa and all over Europe. Dean has toured with current music greats including Ludacris and The Black Eyed Peas. Destined for mainstream success, it is only a matter of time before Dean’s name resounds from everyone’s lips. Find out what drives and motivates Dean, learn how he got into the music industry and be in-spired by his determination and passion for success. A must read, be in-spired!

Dean, tell us how did you manage to gain a VIP guest entry to the concert of the late and great superstar that was Michael Jackson and how much of an influence has his music had on you and your career?

It’s a strange but amazing moment in my life , at this time we (TCO) just performed on Blue Peter and then the Chart Show and a few days later we had a feature on a newspaper ( Sunday Mirror ) which read we where the Next JACKSON 5 with my picture on the top . A great moment for sure, we then got a call that MJ was interested in seeing and hearing our music so we sent a video to MJ and his team.

We sang two songs ‘I’ll Be There’ (Jackson 5) I sang lead and ‘Touch’ our single at the time. He loved it and invited us to his show where we met him for a few moments. MJ said we reminded him of him and his brothers. At this point I was speechless .We also met Madonna in VIP and Kriss Cross backstage.

MJ has been a great influence in my life and my songs. He is and always was an amazing artist that would encourage me to always want to improve and be better. MJ’s music touched me and I always wanted to share my music to the world like he did. He was a true legend.

You started singing at 10 years old. How did you get into singing and what point did you realise that you had talent?

I have to say it all started from parties that I went to. From a young age I would sing at home to my brothers and sisters and when my family and I were invited out my mum and dad would get me to go on stage and perform MJ songs. I would always jump at the chance. You could hear a pin drop as all eyes were on me that feeling was amazing .At Indian parties if you get the crowd excited every one would will drop notes (£) at your feet to show what they think. (Laughs)  I was cleaning up at 8 years old!

The moment it really hit home was when at the age of 10 years old I was asked to sing for a school play where I sang Streets of London. My music teacher told me to just sing and enjoy it so I went on stage in front of everyone at school, parents and school teachers and when I sang I felt ALIVE and to see the look on everyone’s faces and to see and be told I touched them, I just knew performing was what I wanted to do.

You are an Asian singer but you don’t like to be put in a box because of this. How important has it been for you to shine through as an artist and not be categorised because of your ethnicity?

It’s crazy as it’s a bit of both as its only when I’m asked where I’m from that people may then put me in a box as a lot of people are unsure where I am from so it’s not really been a problem in the past and I would say my music does speak for itself. This is clear when you listen to my Mix tape ‘Rumour Has It’. You will hear a lot of old school RnB, Soul, and Motown which is where I have learned the most. It’s strange as I have more African, Caribbean and English followers then Asian.

You originally hail from Hackney, London. How proud are you and your family of the achievements you have had to date?

Yes Hackney Born and raised (Laughs) wouldn’t change that. It’s crazy as I would have to say my family love what I do and they our forever telling everyone they meet about my music and what I have done in the past and what I’m about to do. Mum always tells people ‘Download his music’!  It’s amazing as they tell me to keep going and you will get what you deserve. My biggest fan is my Princess and beautiful Daughter Je’dene Chohan, my inspiration.

Out of all you your performances, which ones would you list as your most memorable and why?

Wow that’s a hard one I would have to say one of them would be my tour with 3T. I was 17 years old I sang ‘I’ll Be There’ an MJ song. The crowd were amazing, they sang along shouting at times. I could see they enjoyed every moment as much as I did.

It has been a long time coming, but UK singers are at last gaining the commercial success and recognition of their US counterparts. How inspired are you of the progressive steps many UK artists have made in the industry and do you aim to emulate their success?

Yes its been a long time coming but it was a matter of time. I think as UK music is and has been stepping up. It’s mad as I get more work over there in the USA then over here. I really do think my music will be heard across the world someday soon. With me I’ve always kept doing what I do. Knocking on all doors that maybe closed but these doors will have to open sooner or later.

You have toured and performed both in the UK and internationally. What would you say are the main differences and what do you prefer the most?

It’s crazy as in Africa and the USA my music has got much more love then in the UK but that is changing as the UK crowd is now listening to and appreciating UK RnB. In fact the last time I was in the states I was stopped on the street and asked to sing as a group of girls recognized me from a performance I did a few days earlier. They were surprised when I spoke as they didn’t know I was from the UK.  I think that is because my music is very soulful RnB and very understood by the US market.

You are a single parent and you manage this dedicated and challenging role with working and establishing your musical career. (And they say women are the only ones that can multitask) How do you manage to keep a check of all your priorities both in your work and personal life?

I guess you can say I do have that multitasking skill(Laughs) it gets hard but I work it out. The good and important thing is my daughter loves what I do and always wants to be around me when I’m singing or in studio and then I have great family and friends that help when it gets to a point when I have to travel .

I have had to turn down some work due to important times I can’t miss in my daughter’s life as she is and always will be my number one. Being a parent is a blessing and I have to be like a mum and dad for Je’dene. I absolutely love it.

What drives you most within your career?

I would say my daughter drives me as I want Je’dene to be proud of her dad and I want her to see and to learn that if you try hard you will get to top , away from that it’s my ultimate desire to be an overall and worldwide success.

Out of all your achievements to date, what are you most proud of and why?

That’s a hard one!  You got me! I would probably have to say when I was in the studio with Rod Templeton and Quincy Jones. That was a great moment for me, working with the two greats that both inspired the ‘Thriller’ album.

They were so professional and were very down to earth. They love anyone who can sing a session. I will never forget two greats asking me to free style and sing and let the music take me ……HEAVEN. We all went to dinner after the session and they told me not to stop as music is in my blood.

What would you say makes you standout from other UK music artists?

I would say that has to be my style and mixture of old school RnB Soul with US and UK undertones. This all helps to make DEAN CHOHAN also the fact I bring my personality to stage when I’m live. It shows that I live and love to perform.

You have done some great collaboration with UK artists. Who would you like to work with that you haven’t worked with already? 

Wow do you have a week while I go through my list. A few artists I would love to work with are Stevie Wonder, Mary J Blige , Whitney Houston , Alicia Keys. I may add Leona Lewis to my collaborations as we were part of same management some time ago and we still speak and have talked about a duet so it maybe on the cards soon.

At 12 you landed your first recording contract with Virgin Records as part of the teen sensations ‘T.C.O’ The Chosen Ones. What was it like to land such a major deal at such a young age and what did you take from the entire experience?

Oh that was a experience that I will never forget. To be the first Asian artist to be signed to a UK major label like Virgin Records alone was special for me. The learning I did along the way, touring and being ready to perform everywhere we would go was a treat. I learned how to be switched on every time, even if we were just at rehearsals we had to be alert as press was everywhere. I also learned that success will not fall at your feet. If you are to become a worldwide artist you have to work hard every day.