For many, Facebook is a massive waste of time, but for others, it does have its benefits. It was how Indian urban producer extraordinaire Shayal found singer Harlene Singh… all the way in Australia.

She jokes: ‘When you’re looking for a new artist who sings in Hindi and Punjabi, Australia probably isn’t the first place you’d go looking! But once Shayal saw me sing on a video I posted on Facebook, it all happened really quickly. I flew out to London, wrote the lyrics in two hours, met the South African American rapper Afika NX, and suddenly I’m a recording artist all glammed up and starring in my own video. It definitely beats the usual pressing the “like” option on Facebook!’

She’s clearly taken to going from unknown to star in her stride, and certainly has the sass to carry it off. Speaking of the new track IMA 10, she reveals: ‘My message is that I’m a 10 out of 10, so if you want to roll with me, you need to be a 10. It’s a very girly song and I didn’t want it to be too seductive – I don’t feel the need to sell my body in videos. I do have the whole package – looks, voice and brains. Don’t get me wrong though. I’m not arrogant, just confident. It’s saying that I won’t settle for anything but the best.’

Seeing as this is our bachelor’s issue, who would be her ideal man? ‘He has to  be funny, of a fairly good standard. He doesn’t have to be Brad Pitt, but attractive. I’m not interested in playboys. Men who like to play on the other hand...’

And there are certainly plenty of players in the industry already lining up to work with her. She says: ‘My Facebook page is on fire! I get so many hits on my page from producers, I’m really having to do my research to see where I go next. But for now, I’m in excellent company with Shayal and his team.’

As the ball of success gets rolling for Harlene, she has to decide whether the time will come when she’ll have to uproot and leave Australia. She muses: ‘I feel Australia is a lot more laid back whereas London is always on the go and stressful. The standard of living is better and it’s more spacious and open here, so it’d be a good place to retire.’

The same, she says, goes for India: ‘I’m a full-on Punjabi. I love my barfi and laddoo, the simplicity of village life, the dressing up and especially the dancing, but I don’t think I’m cut out to settle in

the pind.’

Well, whether she’s performing her unique blend of urban Hindi pop in India, the UK or back in Australia, if you want a piece of Harlene Singh, you can be sure to find her on Facebook!

• IMA 10 by Shayal feat Harlene Singh & Afika NX is out now

Watch the video now: http://www.asiana.tv/asiana_tube/ima-10-harlene-ft-afika-nx