Indian American singer-songwriter Zeshan B is set to release his new album, “O Say, Can You See?,” on July 26. According to Variety, the album features gospel-infused R&B paired with lyrics focused on social justice themes.
An intriguing aspect of this project is the involvement of Preet Bharara, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, who serves as the album’s executive producer. Bharara, renowned for his legal battles against organized crime and financial fraud, and for his confrontations with Donald Trump, met Zeshan in early 2022. Their mutual interest in justice and music led to a strong friendship. Zeshan credits Bharara for helping him transform his earlier anger into a more balanced and universal message in his music.
Zeshan shared with Variety that before meeting Bharara, his previous albums were outlets for his frustration with societal injustices. Through conversations with Bharara, he realized that everyone faces struggles and that his music could address broader issues.
Bharara’s involvement began after he was impressed by Zeshan’s performance at a book launch. He was struck by Zeshan’s voice and the powerful messages in his songs, which led to their friendship and his decision to support Zeshan by executive producing the album.
Zeshan, who was born in Chicago to Indian parents, grew up with a mix of Indian and American musical influences. He managed a speech condition called echolalia, which involves repetitive speech, by developing his singing talent with the support of his parents. His formal training in classical music eventually led him back to his R&B roots, where he blends various musical styles in his work.
“O Say, Can You See?” reflects Zeshan’s personal experiences and the tumultuous events of recent years, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2020 election.
