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Bikram
Singh
If Panjabi MC's chart-topping hit "Beware of the Boys"
is any indicator, the fluid vocals and mesmerizing dhol
beats of Bhangra - the modern incarnation of Punjabi
folk music - are going to be the saving grace of
American urban radio. And if that's the case, you can
guarantee that Bikram Singh will be at the forefront of
that salvation, Bikram is a young artist standing in the
wings of guaranteed stardom.
With a voice that shakes souls, a pen that stirs hearts
and the perfect blend of Punjabi tradition and New York
attitude, Bikram Singh re-defines what the world has
come to know as Bhangra. In just 2 short years, Bikram
has gone from showing a spark at an NYU open mic night,
to absolutely igniting the Boston Summerjam 2003 stage
with Panjabi MC, delivering "Beware of the Boys" to an
audience of 20,000 alongside such household names as LL
Cool J, Nas, and 'Lil Kim.
Born in Punjab, Bikram was raised on the sounds of
revered Punjabi artists like Kuldip Manak and Yamla Jatt.
When his family relocated to Queens, New York in the
early 1990s, Bikram became a great fan of hip-hop,
dancehall, and the hybriding that was occurring between
them and Indian music in New York at the time. As a
teenager, Bikram melded his love of Punjabi culture with
the music that surrounded him, rapping and singing in
Punjabi as his friends freestyled in English. With his
classic boliyan (poetry) riding over streetwise beats,
Bikram fused the ancient stories of the "pind" (village)
to the modern energy of the City so convincingly, you'd
never know they were separate. This resonates in his
heart:"I want to make great music, pure music," Bikram
explains, "to keep the Bhangra scene that I love and
cherish alive and kicking for a new generation to listen
to and love. You have to keep tied to the folk elements
though and I never forget the history, our history."
"Aa Gaye," Bikram's first foray into recording, was a
love song in a classic Punjabi style; it was produced by
DJ Navdeep in 2002 and quickly became a standard in the
NYC desi scene. It is now being released on the
soundtrack to the film "Where's the Party, Yaar?"
Meanwhile, Bikram's experiments with blending Punjabi
stories and the energy of New York have become deeper
and more nuanced, leading him to his first two bona fide
hits, the undisputed club banger "Taakre," and the
charming "Nachena," both produced by Glasgow wunderkings
Tigerstyle. Layering Bikram's braggadocio Punjabi verse
over a tough-as-nails hip hop beat and a dhol track that
all but ensnares the listener, "Taakre" has become one
of the most-requested songs on BBC's radio 1 network. "Nachna,"
a re-working of an older Tigerstyle song, is a fast,
melodic dance track that gets the girls on the floor
every time; both have been featured on compilations such
as Def Jam's best-selling "Desi Beats," Outcaste's
"Essential Urban Flavaz," and Untouchables UK "Urbanflavaz
2." The widespread appeal of his songs, coupled with his
knowledge of Punjabi history and his phenomenal voice,
mean only one thing: Bikram Singh's music is the
definitive soundtrack for the young, urban Indians. So
what's next for this young artist whos star seems
destined to rise?
American Jugni is Bikram's debut album, he collaborates
with Tigerstyle and Ravi Bal. The album features Gunjan
who sings on the beautiful and classic track ‘Kawan'.
Voted Track of 2005 on BBC Asian Network.
This album is a must have in any Bhangra collection.
Keep an eye out for Bikram; as his songs gain popularity
in both the Punjabi and Urban markets, you won't want to
miss the man who will bring Bhangra to its next level!
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