Bhangra Blowout!
Introduction: Bhangra combined with Hip Hop and Rap has become the most innovated and experimented genre of music, says Puja Goyal
-Bhangra Blowout-
Hip- Hop whose roots lie in Rap, has emerged as the most innovated and experimented genre of music in the history of music. Combine the rapid and organized flow of words in Rap music and wild percussions and you have Hip-Hop.
Hip-hop initially consisted of four main elements; graffiti art, break dancing, dj (cuttin' and scratching) and emceeing (rapping). Hip-hop is a lifestyle with its own language; style of dress, music and mind set that is continuously evolving. Nowadays because break dancing and graffiti aren't as prominent, the words 'rap' and 'hip hop' have been used interchangeably. However it should be noted that all aspects of hip hop culture still exist. They've just evolved onto new levels.
If you have a frenzy for all things Indian and the first thing that comes to mind is ‘Bhangra’, combine this with hip hop, with a mild flavor of Rap, underground techno and hint of trance and you get an entirely new beat and mix that will feel not only Indian but truly ‘Desi’… Bhangra Hip-Hop has arrived, with its distinct flavor.
‘Dhol’, an ingredient of ‘Bhangra Hip-hop, is a heavy, resounding beat of a double-barreled drum, forming the centerpiece of all bhangra, new and old. Bhangra, which is the folk music of Punjab, is known to be loud, expressive and extroverted. The music consists of rhythmic beats and verses that speak of life. This could be one of the reasons why Bhangra Hip-hop sounds domestic.
Bhangra Hip-hop is a product of the underground ‘Desi’ a.k.a Asian community of U.K. Its first signs were felt with the likes of Apache Indian, coming into the forefront with songs like “Arranged Marriage”. The vibes then were slightly felt. Then came Hip-hop blended with Indian percussions and the ‘Dhol-Version’ had arrived. International artists like Jay Z, Nelly Furtado, Britney Spears, Snap Cult etc. lapped up this new style and feel and Bhangra Hip-hop saw a decent representation in the International charts. Partly to woe the masses and partly to try a new beat, whichever way, Bhangra hip-hop was the next best thing.
What is then about Bhangra and Hip-Hop that makes them easily accommodating to each other? Hip- hop whose recent innovation consisted of combining itself with bhangra beats was taken well by the Indian audiences, but there is a hitch. RJ Ajit Walker who hosts the Dance Protocol every Saturday on 101.3 fm says that ‘Hip- hop is very innovative and fresh yet its shelf life is less. One beat does not last for long and then you have to find another feel. It also faces the stigma of being discreet. As such, it is not for everyone but only for people who understand and have a liking to either Bhangra or Hip-hop. Even so, Bhangra Hip-hop can be used only sparingly in any show on radio or on the floor.’
Nevertheless, artists like, Raghav, Punjabi MC, Snap Cult, Jay Z, and others have profited from this variation of Hip-hop. This new blend of Desi beats, have given upcoming and new artists something to experiment with. For people who would like to experiment with Bhangra Hip-hop they could pick up … Bhangra knights, Punjabi MC, Jay Z, Snap Reprises, and Dhol Versions of artists like Rapture and Nelly Furtado (Forca).
As to how long this commercial Jugalbandi will last only time will tell. Walker adds, “Strings last longer than percussions”. The combination will hang on till a new beat finds its way into the Hip-Hop stream.
Hip-hop initially consisted of four main elements; graffiti art, break dancing, dj (cuttin' and scratching) and emceeing (rapping). Hip-hop is a lifestyle with its own language; style of dress, music and mind set that is continuously evolving. Nowadays because break dancing and graffiti aren't as prominent, the words 'rap' and 'hip hop' have been used interchangeably. However it should be noted that all aspects of hip hop culture still exist. They've just evolved onto new levels.
If you have a frenzy for all things Indian and the first thing that comes to mind is ‘Bhangra’, combine this with hip hop, with a mild flavor of Rap, underground techno and hint of trance and you get an entirely new beat and mix that will feel not only Indian but truly ‘Desi’… Bhangra Hip-Hop has arrived, with its distinct flavor.
‘Dhol’, an ingredient of ‘Bhangra Hip-hop, is a heavy, resounding beat of a double-barreled drum, forming the centerpiece of all bhangra, new and old. Bhangra, which is the folk music of Punjab, is known to be loud, expressive and extroverted. The music consists of rhythmic beats and verses that speak of life. This could be one of the reasons why Bhangra Hip-hop sounds domestic.
Bhangra Hip-hop is a product of the underground ‘Desi’ a.k.a Asian community of U.K. Its first signs were felt with the likes of Apache Indian, coming into the forefront with songs like “Arranged Marriage”. The vibes then were slightly felt. Then came Hip-hop blended with Indian percussions and the ‘Dhol-Version’ had arrived. International artists like Jay Z, Nelly Furtado, Britney Spears, Snap Cult etc. lapped up this new style and feel and Bhangra Hip-hop saw a decent representation in the International charts. Partly to woe the masses and partly to try a new beat, whichever way, Bhangra hip-hop was the next best thing.
What is then about Bhangra and Hip-Hop that makes them easily accommodating to each other? Hip- hop whose recent innovation consisted of combining itself with bhangra beats was taken well by the Indian audiences, but there is a hitch. RJ Ajit Walker who hosts the Dance Protocol every Saturday on 101.3 fm says that ‘Hip- hop is very innovative and fresh yet its shelf life is less. One beat does not last for long and then you have to find another feel. It also faces the stigma of being discreet. As such, it is not for everyone but only for people who understand and have a liking to either Bhangra or Hip-hop. Even so, Bhangra Hip-hop can be used only sparingly in any show on radio or on the floor.’
Nevertheless, artists like, Raghav, Punjabi MC, Snap Cult, Jay Z, and others have profited from this variation of Hip-hop. This new blend of Desi beats, have given upcoming and new artists something to experiment with. For people who would like to experiment with Bhangra Hip-hop they could pick up … Bhangra knights, Punjabi MC, Jay Z, Snap Reprises, and Dhol Versions of artists like Rapture and Nelly Furtado (Forca).
As to how long this commercial Jugalbandi will last only time will tell. Walker adds, “Strings last longer than percussions”. The combination will hang on till a new beat finds its way into the Hip-Hop stream.
© 2004 Puja Goyal
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