After Bollywood, it is Punjabism in Hollywood

After Bollywood, it is Punjabism in Hollywood

Mandeep puri

A singer-turned-lyricist-turned-music director and now planning to act in one of his upcoming film, Taz, of Stereo Nation fame, is pretty confident that the audience in the West will accept Punjabi music in a Hollywood film.

And guess what; he has a point to prove. The year 1995 gave his first released. “ O’baby don’t break my heart, became a rage and the song has Punjabi beats with undertones of Western music. And now 2010 will witness the Hollywood flick. “The Western music will now have undertones of Punjabi beats. Punjabi music is universal in real terms. It is infectious, has energy that would make anyone hit the dance floor. It is played in discothèques the US, UK, other European countries and many nations in Pan-Asia”, says the master of western music.

From his debut album, Hit the Deck to Jambo, Nasha, Laila to the upcoming album, Twist, Punjabi music has been there, the credit of which he gives to his roots in Punjab.

And here comes another revelation, something that we have been taking for granted all these years, “Stereo Nation is not the name of a band but of the genre of music that I produced, which is evergreen. I still get to listen to my 20-year-old-songs in discotheques and private parties.”

A leading singer of the pop band Stereo Nation which was formed in 1996 is credited with being the pioneer of cross-cultural Asian fusion music.We mention the contrast next, of his evergreen music with popcorn music that some 22,000 claimed singers of Punjab (a figure provided by the Punjab Cultural Society) have come up with, to which he reacts, “Their music is degrading the real talent of Punjab. It’s a mutual admiration between these singers and the Punjabi music channels, who are minting money by advertising them.”

He first hit the charts in 1989 with the album “Hit the Deck” which spent over 36 weeks on the UK Asian pop charts at number one. The album was produced by the former vocalist in The Specials, Neville Staple. He went onto produce many albums in the 1990s and early 2000s which were hugely successful. To date, all but two of his albums have received gold platinum and multi-platinum discs. His most successful album to date is the 2000 released “Slave II Fusion” which includes many of his most well-known hit songs including “Pyar Ho Gaya”, “Nachenge Saari Raat”, and “Gallan Gorian”. His music videos also feature actors before they became famous. His video “Ishq” features model and actress Koena Mitra and “Pyar Ho Gaya” features actor Shiny Ahuja.

“It’s an absolute flip, from Punjabi major to Punjabi minor this time,” informs Taz. In any case, Punjabi music persists and that’s what Taz wants us to take a note of. “There’s an undeniable presence of Punjabi music in my work, be it Indi-pop music, jazz, rap, or even a mainstream Hollywood film,” says Taz of Stereo Nation fame, who was in the city on Sunday.

A few out of these 22,000, who have made it big don’t give Taz competition. “Because the music of Stereo Nation is a cult in itself that competes with my own work. There is a constant pressure to outdo my own music and songs.” As for his vocation shift from singing to acting, he asserts, “It’s a natural progression for an artiste to explore more talent in himself. Any creative person can’t restrict himself to just one form of art.” He is also writing scripts for Bollywood and Hollywood films. And, he certainly doesn’t consider language a barrier after writing lyrics in Hindi, Punjabi and English. “Creativity doesn’t follow any set measures,” he says.

In 2007 he made his film debut in the film Don’t Stop Dreaming for which he also composed the soundtrack and did the playback singing. After a five years hiatus he returned in 2008 with his new album “Jawani on the Rocks”. His hit singles from this album include “Meri Nazron Mein Tu Hain” and “Hai Hai Jawani”.

One of the pioneers of fusion music in Punjab, he next has on his cards touring the world with his newly formed international band, Chilli Town. The eight-member band will soon be out with their debut album, Joy Killer and he hopes, “People will appreciate its music just as they did Stereo Nation’s.” And what will make it possible would be his 20 years of singing experience. “Lest I forgot, I started singing when I was one,” he clears the air. Oh, we thought he was much younger and carried the legacy from his last birth

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