His music isn’t really my cup of tea but he’s legit. I wouldn’t put him in the subcategory of “Urban Desi”, he just happens to be a desi dude that raps. His flow is raw, he can ride a beat and he’s consistent throughout the track. By consistent I mean he sticks to the theme/message throughout the whole song, this is one of my biggest beefs with Urban Desi artists. I feel a lot of the artists (the not so good ones) just rhyme about nothing, by the end of the song you sit there wondering how the hell they came up with the title. I could go on but I don’t want to waste my time. So peep a few of this dudes tracks I came across on Youtube.
Ninja Swords
Now Oh Now (Original)
Maddness
Pick it up/ You don't know me
I just chose a few random tracks I listened to this morning...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
How you ruin a good song...
I hope the amount of time spent on this track and video is equivalent to the amount of time I spent writing this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltgm0yKiddU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltgm0yKiddU
Monday, March 30, 2009
Good Music
Recently, I posted a few tracks that made me sick to my stomach. Since then I’ve decided I am no longer going to listen to that stuff (or post about it), it’s not worth it. I end up listening to it and then want to shoot myself in the foot so I stop thinking about it. Also, I don’t think anyone that reads my blog appreciates that music, even if you do, too bad.
Since I posted a few tracks that I really disliked (and probably made you puke in your mouth a little bit) I thought I’d do you guys a favor and give your ears a little treat. Below are a few songs that I like and I think you will too.
The1Shanti – It’s That Time
Straight outta Brooklyn, The1shanti is droppin’ some knowledge when he spits. I’ve listened to a handful of his tracks and enjoy almost all of them. “Played your hand, bitch! Now I’m callin’ it!” (I love that line). I’ll post more of his music soon.
Kidd Skilly – Undercover Superstar
I know Skilly has made some tracks that a lot of us don’t really care for, but there are many reasons why I support his music and this track is one of them. I posted this particular version of the track because it has his lyrics; hopefully you can listen and read at the same time. He spits some real shit with creative word play. This isn’t my favorite Skilly track but I think it is one of his better ones. Peep it.
Two more tracks you guys should check out.
The1shanti – Nothing
Kidd Skilly – Indian Dance
I just noticed none of these tracks are really “Urban Desi”. The artists are so I guess that will have to do.
Let me know what you think. Enjoy.
Since I posted a few tracks that I really disliked (and probably made you puke in your mouth a little bit) I thought I’d do you guys a favor and give your ears a little treat. Below are a few songs that I like and I think you will too.
The1Shanti – It’s That Time
Straight outta Brooklyn, The1shanti is droppin’ some knowledge when he spits. I’ve listened to a handful of his tracks and enjoy almost all of them. “Played your hand, bitch! Now I’m callin’ it!” (I love that line). I’ll post more of his music soon.
Kidd Skilly – Undercover Superstar
I know Skilly has made some tracks that a lot of us don’t really care for, but there are many reasons why I support his music and this track is one of them. I posted this particular version of the track because it has his lyrics; hopefully you can listen and read at the same time. He spits some real shit with creative word play. This isn’t my favorite Skilly track but I think it is one of his better ones. Peep it.
Two more tracks you guys should check out.
The1shanti – Nothing
Kidd Skilly – Indian Dance
I just noticed none of these tracks are really “Urban Desi”. The artists are so I guess that will have to do.
Let me know what you think. Enjoy.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Are you serious?
It’s been a while since I’ve listened to any Urban Desi music so I figured today I would, now I kind of wish I hadn’t.
I’m beginning to think that this genre of music is not my cup of tea. I haven’t given up hope just yet but after today I’m beginning to sip some of that Haterade. I’ve listened to over 20 different tracks today and I’m going to cover my top 3 worst tracks/videos of the day, in no particular order.
The Bilz & Kaashif – Turn the music up
One word, cheesy! Go to 2:48 of the video clip and you will know exactly what I am talking about. Funny thing is that I actually think these guys have the right idea. By the “right idea” I am referring to the music they produce for their target demographic. It’s hard for me to imagine any males actually value their music but I can certainly see teeny-bopper girls lovin’ this. Kaashif is a little flamboyant but I can see him having a career in the Urban Desi industry, he seems like an entertainer. In my opinion, the other two guys should get out of the spotlight and work their magic behind the scenes. They should stick with their concept but get someone else to do the job, maybe some young guns to appeal to the younger audience?
Sona Family – Taali
This crew reminds me of a blend between City High and Black Eyed Peas. I actually like the group, the girl is kind of cute and she can sing, which is usually a winning combination. The guy’s seem like they have a little hip-hop swag in them but had to give it up to sell records. I was listening to another track, “Broken Dreams” and the first guy is flowin’ about him and music; he goes on to say “…underground rap and r&b ain’t Asian friendly” That may be true but I wish they would’ve stayed away from tracks like “Taali”, go to 2:05…ride the rickshaw, seriously?
Blitzkrieg – Narm Kalja
I really wanted to leave him off this list but I couldn’t help myself, this shit was kind of whack bro. Get off that k-i-s-s-i-n-g, it is not your destiny. Still better than the other two tracks, by far.
Do people actually watch these videos for entertainment? And do these videos make everyday people fans? These are three pretty big names in the scene; they are on a lot of radio shows and do a lot of marketing for their projects globally. They have captured the ears of their audience and have earned their respect. We may not hear their music on this side of the pond but I’m assuming it gets airplay in the UK, Canada and India. The indo population is denser in those regions but damn - the rickshaw, the motorcycle, and the bow n arrow. Are these tracks actually embraced by the majority?
Unfortunately, there is a lot of whack music on the airwaves, not all of which is Urban Desi. Acts such as, Mike Jones, Soulja Boy and DJ Khaled have all made us turn the music down, but at the end of the day they were successful. These mainstream artists have made a lot of money selling their souls and now they can do whatever they please. I can’t hate on anyone for the paper chase, but say there isn’t much money. After everything is all said and done, is the Urban Desi scene actually that lucrative?
I really want to know what others think about this. Does anyone feel the same way I do or is this stuff entertaining to you? Do the tracks mentioned above seem enticing to you or anyone you know? Does it add any value to the album or the artist?
I’m beginning to think that this genre of music is not my cup of tea. I haven’t given up hope just yet but after today I’m beginning to sip some of that Haterade. I’ve listened to over 20 different tracks today and I’m going to cover my top 3 worst tracks/videos of the day, in no particular order.
The Bilz & Kaashif – Turn the music up
One word, cheesy! Go to 2:48 of the video clip and you will know exactly what I am talking about. Funny thing is that I actually think these guys have the right idea. By the “right idea” I am referring to the music they produce for their target demographic. It’s hard for me to imagine any males actually value their music but I can certainly see teeny-bopper girls lovin’ this. Kaashif is a little flamboyant but I can see him having a career in the Urban Desi industry, he seems like an entertainer. In my opinion, the other two guys should get out of the spotlight and work their magic behind the scenes. They should stick with their concept but get someone else to do the job, maybe some young guns to appeal to the younger audience?
Sona Family – Taali
This crew reminds me of a blend between City High and Black Eyed Peas. I actually like the group, the girl is kind of cute and she can sing, which is usually a winning combination. The guy’s seem like they have a little hip-hop swag in them but had to give it up to sell records. I was listening to another track, “Broken Dreams” and the first guy is flowin’ about him and music; he goes on to say “…underground rap and r&b ain’t Asian friendly” That may be true but I wish they would’ve stayed away from tracks like “Taali”, go to 2:05…ride the rickshaw, seriously?
Blitzkrieg – Narm Kalja
I really wanted to leave him off this list but I couldn’t help myself, this shit was kind of whack bro. Get off that k-i-s-s-i-n-g, it is not your destiny. Still better than the other two tracks, by far.
Do people actually watch these videos for entertainment? And do these videos make everyday people fans? These are three pretty big names in the scene; they are on a lot of radio shows and do a lot of marketing for their projects globally. They have captured the ears of their audience and have earned their respect. We may not hear their music on this side of the pond but I’m assuming it gets airplay in the UK, Canada and India. The indo population is denser in those regions but damn - the rickshaw, the motorcycle, and the bow n arrow. Are these tracks actually embraced by the majority?
Unfortunately, there is a lot of whack music on the airwaves, not all of which is Urban Desi. Acts such as, Mike Jones, Soulja Boy and DJ Khaled have all made us turn the music down, but at the end of the day they were successful. These mainstream artists have made a lot of money selling their souls and now they can do whatever they please. I can’t hate on anyone for the paper chase, but say there isn’t much money. After everything is all said and done, is the Urban Desi scene actually that lucrative?
I really want to know what others think about this. Does anyone feel the same way I do or is this stuff entertaining to you? Do the tracks mentioned above seem enticing to you or anyone you know? Does it add any value to the album or the artist?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Lazarus
I’ve been talking a lot about “Urban Desi” artists and haven’t been giving the recognition to desi artists as a whole. Well, today “I’m going to let the game know” about an American born Pakistani rapper who goes by the name of “Lazarus”, and rightfully so (In the “New Testament” Lazarus is two separate people).
Apparently, Laz is a doctor and a rapper. No, that was not a typo. We are talking about a suburban desi kid who spits real hip-hop while sticking to the traditional path and making his parents proud. I heard about this guy a few years back when I went to Wayne State but I never paid too much attention to him. For that Lazarus, accept my apologies. I am a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due and although he may not be in the “Urban Desi” scene, I thought a desi hip-hop artist would be an interesting topic.
The first time I heard one of his battles, my initial assessment was “Brown Eminem”. I know, very high praise being that Eminem is in my top five of all time. But I do not regret that statement. In “8 mile”, Eminem played the part of Jimmy “B Rabbit” - A white boy who struggles to earn respect among his peers, mostly blacks. Also, I may not know why Eminem was nicknamed “B Rabbit” but if I were to make an assumption, I’d have to say because of the incredible amount of energy, like a rabbit. Until I heard Laz, I haven’t heard anyone come with such fire since Eminem – significant lyrics, passion, and emotions are all felt when you hear his rhymes.
My favorite scene in “8 Mile” was the last battle, when Eminem embarrasses Papa Doc in his own environment. This reminds me of Laz at Belle Isle, tearing into these alleged “rappers” and it remains evident who wins every time, suburbia. You can just tell his opponent is dumbfounded when Lazarus goes first. Dude is shook; he doesn’t know what to say. Can you blame him? I mean, he was battling someone with knowledge and awareness behind his words; he uses multiple syllables and countless metaphors - all without referencing guns, bitches and violence - to fluster his opponent whenever the opportunity arose. That’s like taking out a guy’s knees in a fight and he still tries to fight back. At that point the bell rings and the fight is over, with several unsuccessful attempts at degrading him over topics such as racial stereotypes, the judges have spoken and raise the hand of the winner, Laz. If his opponent was smart he would’ve thrown in the towel as soon as he realized he was going to make himself look like an ass, in retrospect, I give props to Papa Doc for making a wise decision.
Question, “If this guy has so much talent, why don’t we hear him on the radio?” I’ll answer my own question - for many reasons, hip-hop is dead, no one really knows who the fuck he is, and outside of hip-hop heads no one really cares for his music. But that is not to say he does not get any recognition.
The Discovery Channel did a special on “the real 8 Mile” and Lazarus was featured. We saw him jump out of a stretch limo followed by his entourage as if he were Diddy. We also saw snippets of him in the studio, the classroom, on the set of making a video, numerous battles (even one against his professor in Anatomy) and him promoting his new album on WJLB. Pretty cool, but in my opinion the most attention-grabbing part of the “special” was when we got to see him in the lab with Royce da 5’9 (at the studio in Canton, I thought that was kind of cool). For those of you who don’t know, Royce is Detroit’s unsung hero. He is one of the few who possess the talent but didn’t opt for the mainstream route, or maybe it’s because mainstream didn’t choose him, who knows. Either way, I think it’s great to see a Desi artist work with respected individuals such as, Royce.
Unfortunately for Lazarus, Royce and many other artists, America is more interested in tracks like “Lollipop” and “Apple bottom jeans.” Fortunately for Lazarus, he lives up to his name and leads two very different lives. And his day job will most likely blossom far sooner than his rap career.
Check out a few youtube clips...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_Ncaih2wIo -"Let the game know"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwos_qQAaUQ&feature=related - "godflow"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98HAMtYjFAs&feature=related - Lazarus in Anatomy class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbVtmbTaCEQ&feature=related - freestyle friday battle on channel 95.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C84BCLdUFHU&feature=related - freestyle friday battle on channel 95.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfq95nUvONk&feature=related - on WJLB
There are many more clips on You Tube if anyone is interested..
Apparently, Laz is a doctor and a rapper. No, that was not a typo. We are talking about a suburban desi kid who spits real hip-hop while sticking to the traditional path and making his parents proud. I heard about this guy a few years back when I went to Wayne State but I never paid too much attention to him. For that Lazarus, accept my apologies. I am a firm believer in giving credit where credit is due and although he may not be in the “Urban Desi” scene, I thought a desi hip-hop artist would be an interesting topic.
The first time I heard one of his battles, my initial assessment was “Brown Eminem”. I know, very high praise being that Eminem is in my top five of all time. But I do not regret that statement. In “8 mile”, Eminem played the part of Jimmy “B Rabbit” - A white boy who struggles to earn respect among his peers, mostly blacks. Also, I may not know why Eminem was nicknamed “B Rabbit” but if I were to make an assumption, I’d have to say because of the incredible amount of energy, like a rabbit. Until I heard Laz, I haven’t heard anyone come with such fire since Eminem – significant lyrics, passion, and emotions are all felt when you hear his rhymes.
My favorite scene in “8 Mile” was the last battle, when Eminem embarrasses Papa Doc in his own environment. This reminds me of Laz at Belle Isle, tearing into these alleged “rappers” and it remains evident who wins every time, suburbia. You can just tell his opponent is dumbfounded when Lazarus goes first. Dude is shook; he doesn’t know what to say. Can you blame him? I mean, he was battling someone with knowledge and awareness behind his words; he uses multiple syllables and countless metaphors - all without referencing guns, bitches and violence - to fluster his opponent whenever the opportunity arose. That’s like taking out a guy’s knees in a fight and he still tries to fight back. At that point the bell rings and the fight is over, with several unsuccessful attempts at degrading him over topics such as racial stereotypes, the judges have spoken and raise the hand of the winner, Laz. If his opponent was smart he would’ve thrown in the towel as soon as he realized he was going to make himself look like an ass, in retrospect, I give props to Papa Doc for making a wise decision.
Question, “If this guy has so much talent, why don’t we hear him on the radio?” I’ll answer my own question - for many reasons, hip-hop is dead, no one really knows who the fuck he is, and outside of hip-hop heads no one really cares for his music. But that is not to say he does not get any recognition.
The Discovery Channel did a special on “the real 8 Mile” and Lazarus was featured. We saw him jump out of a stretch limo followed by his entourage as if he were Diddy. We also saw snippets of him in the studio, the classroom, on the set of making a video, numerous battles (even one against his professor in Anatomy) and him promoting his new album on WJLB. Pretty cool, but in my opinion the most attention-grabbing part of the “special” was when we got to see him in the lab with Royce da 5’9 (at the studio in Canton, I thought that was kind of cool). For those of you who don’t know, Royce is Detroit’s unsung hero. He is one of the few who possess the talent but didn’t opt for the mainstream route, or maybe it’s because mainstream didn’t choose him, who knows. Either way, I think it’s great to see a Desi artist work with respected individuals such as, Royce.
Unfortunately for Lazarus, Royce and many other artists, America is more interested in tracks like “Lollipop” and “Apple bottom jeans.” Fortunately for Lazarus, he lives up to his name and leads two very different lives. And his day job will most likely blossom far sooner than his rap career.
Check out a few youtube clips...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_Ncaih2wIo -"Let the game know"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xwos_qQAaUQ&feature=related - "godflow"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98HAMtYjFAs&feature=related - Lazarus in Anatomy class
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbVtmbTaCEQ&feature=related - freestyle friday battle on channel 95.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C84BCLdUFHU&feature=related - freestyle friday battle on channel 95.5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfq95nUvONk&feature=related - on WJLB
There are many more clips on You Tube if anyone is interested..
Friday, February 27, 2009
I'm me and that's all I can be
Allow me to re-introduce myself, my name is HOV…
Well actually it’s Niraj. And although I don’t eat, sleep, and breathe urban desi, I do analyze it inside and out - the music and the business behind it. I may not know a lot about you Urban Desi artists and your motives but I do understand the music and I will let you know what your actions look like to the “outside world”. If any of you readers beg to differ with me on a particular subject, leave a comment on my post and give me your insight - that’s the point! Several of you who read my blog do not leave comments, which is fine. Either you don’t care about the day’s issue or you don’t have the “marbles” to speak your mind. I have high regard for those who state what they think and not wait for others to say what they are thinking. But hey, at least you are reading it and at the end of the day, that is all I can ask for.
In my eyes, Urban Desi is in its infant stages and it is going to take time and perseverance before we see it evolve. Like with hip-hop, we saw Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five before we saw acts like Biggie and Jay, two utterly diverse styles. The music being produced today (or in the 90’s), which we’ve come to find irresistible is not the same as it was in the 70’s, when hip-hop began. Urban Desi is an industry that is just beginning to get the acknowledgment it deserves, which I am swollen with pride to see. If you are not a fan of the music you’ve heard in this genre thus far, cool, but we have no idea what the artists of the future are going to bring to the table. What we do know is that if we do not set up the groundwork now, the growth we anticipate to see will be even further postponed. Music is universal and something we all adore, why wouldn’t we want to broaden our horizons by adding another genre to the spectrum?
As a devoted supporter of this music I would love to see it cultivate. So when someone questions my intentions, it’s rather insulting. What you may not comprehend is that I do not do this for attention; I do it to spread awareness. That’s the thing, there are only a handful of people that can truly identify with me. Therefore, 99% of the people around me do not faze me with their words or actions. But please continue to give me your criticism and I’ll take it for what it’s worth, I suggest you do the same. With that being said, if you do not have the mental capacity to grasp the message I am trying to portray Urban Desi or not - sorry, go read that “other” blog.
Well actually it’s Niraj. And although I don’t eat, sleep, and breathe urban desi, I do analyze it inside and out - the music and the business behind it. I may not know a lot about you Urban Desi artists and your motives but I do understand the music and I will let you know what your actions look like to the “outside world”. If any of you readers beg to differ with me on a particular subject, leave a comment on my post and give me your insight - that’s the point! Several of you who read my blog do not leave comments, which is fine. Either you don’t care about the day’s issue or you don’t have the “marbles” to speak your mind. I have high regard for those who state what they think and not wait for others to say what they are thinking. But hey, at least you are reading it and at the end of the day, that is all I can ask for.
In my eyes, Urban Desi is in its infant stages and it is going to take time and perseverance before we see it evolve. Like with hip-hop, we saw Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five before we saw acts like Biggie and Jay, two utterly diverse styles. The music being produced today (or in the 90’s), which we’ve come to find irresistible is not the same as it was in the 70’s, when hip-hop began. Urban Desi is an industry that is just beginning to get the acknowledgment it deserves, which I am swollen with pride to see. If you are not a fan of the music you’ve heard in this genre thus far, cool, but we have no idea what the artists of the future are going to bring to the table. What we do know is that if we do not set up the groundwork now, the growth we anticipate to see will be even further postponed. Music is universal and something we all adore, why wouldn’t we want to broaden our horizons by adding another genre to the spectrum?
As a devoted supporter of this music I would love to see it cultivate. So when someone questions my intentions, it’s rather insulting. What you may not comprehend is that I do not do this for attention; I do it to spread awareness. That’s the thing, there are only a handful of people that can truly identify with me. Therefore, 99% of the people around me do not faze me with their words or actions. But please continue to give me your criticism and I’ll take it for what it’s worth, I suggest you do the same. With that being said, if you do not have the mental capacity to grasp the message I am trying to portray Urban Desi or not - sorry, go read that “other” blog.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
YES WE CAN!
Here’s a crazy thought, maybe I don’t completely understand this genre we call “Urban Desi”? Chances aren’t likely, simply because I pretty much know everything there is to know about anything, but let’s just say this is “hypothetically” the case.
Correct me if I’m wrong but this is my definition of “Urban Desi”: A genre where artists attempt to fuse the sounds of India (flute, tablas, hindi hook, etc.) with what we’ve learned to love here in the states (bass, hip-hop, pop, etc.) to produce a permutation of eastern and western music. (Maybe that’s why it is widely accepted in the UK, you know since it’s in the middle…man I crack myself up.) We’ve heard Jay, M.I.A and Timbaland successfully do this. So the problem isn’t that the music is “new” or that “Urban Desi” is in its infant stages, but more so the fact that the same people who embrace the music of Jay and M.I.A do not feel the same way about Urban Desi artists.
I think the first problem is change, we hate change. I know all of you would rather hear Jay, Fab, Biggie and Pac come out with new tracks instead of hearing some new guy release the most lyrically mind-blowing track (LUPE FIASCO). If Lupe’s lyrics were being fired out like a round of bullets from the mouth of Jay, he would have won “Best Rap Album” at the Grammy’s over Whack Wayne, oops I mean Lil’ Wayne. Sorry if I offended anyone, cough*JASON*cough.
Second and almost certainly the main cause to this epidemic is us, the South Asian community. Yes, I said it and I am not the only one who thinks so. As I was pre-gaming Saturday night (which in due course resulted with my head in a toilet at the end of the night, thank you MSU) someone said something to me that I’ve heard many times before -- “Indians are the most self-hating people”. Although I do not agree with this statement in its entirety, there is still some truth to it. Why is it that when we hear “Lean with it, rock with it” by Dem Franchise boys (worst name ever) we see every desi dancing with a gangsta lean, but when we hear “Bhangra 2 Step” by the Bilz we head straight to the bar so we don’t lose our buzz? Both tracks are equally dreadful. But it is probably because it’s cool to “Lean with it” because in the video JD was doing it while in the Bilz video it was, well, The Bilz doing it.
I think the only solution to this problem is having one of our very own artists’ breakthrough the scene (much like the Jonas Brothers did) so he/she is considered “cool” and we can be proud of one of our own! I know you guys are thinking, “Well M.I.A made it”, but honestly she is so bad-ass, she went ahead and created her own genre of music. Who the hell really knows how to define what it is, but its gangster and everyone loves it. And so we’re back to square one - what if we don’t have anyone “cool” enough in the Urban Desi scene right now?
Luckily I have a solution for all you Urban Desi artists trying to make it. Once you are ready to admit that you don’t have the swagger to be widely accepted (remember, the first step is admitting you have a problem) here in the states, the next step is to have someone who does have that rare ability to attract large audiences on your track…so maybe some of that “cool-ness” rubs off on you.
Kidd Skilly did it with “Ni Sohniye” when he brought Akon into the booth and guess what? It acutally worked. There was so much buzz around that track when it came out that even people who refrain from listening to “desi” music had to hear it for themselves. You all know I’m not a huge fan of singing (especially in a foreign language) but don’t tell me it wasn’t tight hearing Akon sing in Punjabi. I may not understand the hook but I bet you any money I can sing it word for word. The song was catchy and had a real nice vibe to it, but once again, it was one of those club tracks. Look, I’m okay with club tracks but I believe that an artist should have a few follow up tracks with that same sort of hype that aren’t intended for disco parties. I’m sure Skilly did not expect one song to put him in the spotlight permanently but once you tease us with a mainstream artist, we want more. It’s our nature, we’re greedy ass Americans. A lot easier said than done, I know, so big ups to Witnis for at least having the right idea. I am anxious to hear who is next.
What can we take away from all of this? A) Americans are greedy and don’t accept change unless it is of monetary value B) Indian Americans make it nearly impossible for you to succeed as if it wasn’t already hard enough. C) You need to have a huge bankroll to make bangers. I realize this sucks and wish it wasn’t the case but I’m about to go MLK on you guys real quick to motivate you: I have a dream, one day we will see Urban Desi artists on MTV (not MTV Desi); 15 yr old girls and boys (all sizes and colors) will be buying your poster and hanging it on their bedroom wall; and your CD will be sold in Target and not the local Indian grocery store next to the week old samosas. We might not see it tomorrow but I have faith, one day we will prosper…
Correct me if I’m wrong but this is my definition of “Urban Desi”: A genre where artists attempt to fuse the sounds of India (flute, tablas, hindi hook, etc.) with what we’ve learned to love here in the states (bass, hip-hop, pop, etc.) to produce a permutation of eastern and western music. (Maybe that’s why it is widely accepted in the UK, you know since it’s in the middle…man I crack myself up.) We’ve heard Jay, M.I.A and Timbaland successfully do this. So the problem isn’t that the music is “new” or that “Urban Desi” is in its infant stages, but more so the fact that the same people who embrace the music of Jay and M.I.A do not feel the same way about Urban Desi artists.
I think the first problem is change, we hate change. I know all of you would rather hear Jay, Fab, Biggie and Pac come out with new tracks instead of hearing some new guy release the most lyrically mind-blowing track (LUPE FIASCO). If Lupe’s lyrics were being fired out like a round of bullets from the mouth of Jay, he would have won “Best Rap Album” at the Grammy’s over Whack Wayne, oops I mean Lil’ Wayne. Sorry if I offended anyone, cough*JASON*cough.
Second and almost certainly the main cause to this epidemic is us, the South Asian community. Yes, I said it and I am not the only one who thinks so. As I was pre-gaming Saturday night (which in due course resulted with my head in a toilet at the end of the night, thank you MSU) someone said something to me that I’ve heard many times before -- “Indians are the most self-hating people”. Although I do not agree with this statement in its entirety, there is still some truth to it. Why is it that when we hear “Lean with it, rock with it” by Dem Franchise boys (worst name ever) we see every desi dancing with a gangsta lean, but when we hear “Bhangra 2 Step” by the Bilz we head straight to the bar so we don’t lose our buzz? Both tracks are equally dreadful. But it is probably because it’s cool to “Lean with it” because in the video JD was doing it while in the Bilz video it was, well, The Bilz doing it.
I think the only solution to this problem is having one of our very own artists’ breakthrough the scene (much like the Jonas Brothers did) so he/she is considered “cool” and we can be proud of one of our own! I know you guys are thinking, “Well M.I.A made it”, but honestly she is so bad-ass, she went ahead and created her own genre of music. Who the hell really knows how to define what it is, but its gangster and everyone loves it. And so we’re back to square one - what if we don’t have anyone “cool” enough in the Urban Desi scene right now?
Luckily I have a solution for all you Urban Desi artists trying to make it. Once you are ready to admit that you don’t have the swagger to be widely accepted (remember, the first step is admitting you have a problem) here in the states, the next step is to have someone who does have that rare ability to attract large audiences on your track…so maybe some of that “cool-ness” rubs off on you.
Kidd Skilly did it with “Ni Sohniye” when he brought Akon into the booth and guess what? It acutally worked. There was so much buzz around that track when it came out that even people who refrain from listening to “desi” music had to hear it for themselves. You all know I’m not a huge fan of singing (especially in a foreign language) but don’t tell me it wasn’t tight hearing Akon sing in Punjabi. I may not understand the hook but I bet you any money I can sing it word for word. The song was catchy and had a real nice vibe to it, but once again, it was one of those club tracks. Look, I’m okay with club tracks but I believe that an artist should have a few follow up tracks with that same sort of hype that aren’t intended for disco parties. I’m sure Skilly did not expect one song to put him in the spotlight permanently but once you tease us with a mainstream artist, we want more. It’s our nature, we’re greedy ass Americans. A lot easier said than done, I know, so big ups to Witnis for at least having the right idea. I am anxious to hear who is next.
What can we take away from all of this? A) Americans are greedy and don’t accept change unless it is of monetary value B) Indian Americans make it nearly impossible for you to succeed as if it wasn’t already hard enough. C) You need to have a huge bankroll to make bangers. I realize this sucks and wish it wasn’t the case but I’m about to go MLK on you guys real quick to motivate you: I have a dream, one day we will see Urban Desi artists on MTV (not MTV Desi); 15 yr old girls and boys (all sizes and colors) will be buying your poster and hanging it on their bedroom wall; and your CD will be sold in Target and not the local Indian grocery store next to the week old samosas. We might not see it tomorrow but I have faith, one day we will prosper…
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Chris Brown and Ciara - Turntables
One of my dedicated fans brought this track to my attention today after reading about the fusion of eastern and western sounds. This is a great example of a song that would appeal to listeners here in the states yet remain “urban desi” (if it were a desi artist and not chris bizzle, of course).
In my opinion, tracks such as Nivla's "Be Easy" and Kidd Skilly's "Bhangra Chick" (two very popular tracks with an Indian hook), appeal more to the communities where this genre has been accepted (UK, India, etc.) but have not yet gathered such a strong following here in the states. Whereas tracks like, "Beware of the Boys", "Indian flute", "The Bounce" and now "Turntables" by Chris Brown and Ciara - grab the attention of listeners across the globe.
I would love to hear the aforementioned Urban Desi artists rhyme over these beats. Yes I understand they lack proper funding to get beats from Timbaland, but improvise damn it. Calling out ALL Urban Desi artists, is it too much to ask for you to provide a track fusing the eastern/western influences (keeping it urban desi) without actually singing in punjabi, urdu, or whatever other language y'all rhyme in? Look, I'm not telling you to quit what you are doing, obviously it works, all of you have created some sort of fan base regardless of the latitude and longitude. From my understanding, the problem is that these same tracks aren't being embraced by the South Asian community here (the states) as they are in the UK and India, right? Therefore, I am simply asking you to add a little flavor for us U.S. folk. Make some music that I would like to hear (I'm selfish and I don't care), and by telling you what no one else is – I like to think I am doing you a favor. So my words of advice: Go back to basics and make a track with an Indian beat and English lyrics that isn't about girls, partying, or drinking so you can start earning the recognition you deserve, here in the states.
Do you all agree, or am I standing alone on this?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=bTSvyf3AMAo - **Chris Brown - Turntables**
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EazJsJriIJM - **Kidd Skilly - Bhangra Chick**
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VylBE__-Yh0 - **Nivla - Be Easy**
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Wake up, Wake up, it's the first of the month....
First, I want to thank those who commented on my first post and to those who did not -piss off. Secondly, as for the content of this blog, there are no boundaries. So please let me know if there is a specific topic (track, video, news) you would like to discuss. However, please be cautious of the title of my blog, “Urban Desi, under review”. We will cover anything and everything urban desi that I feel is worthy of being talked about. Do not come on here posting Jay’s new track (but have you people heard “When the money goes?" Dope track, peep it)
Like many of my readers, when I woke up this morning I grabbed a bowl of cereal, turned on the tube and started watching the Super Bowl pre-game show. My mind drifted back to this same time last year. Surely, you remember the “Doritos Crash the Super Bowl Challenge”. Okay, maybe not, let me refresh your memory. Doritos held a contest leading up to the Super Bowl, which allowed undiscovered artists to submit videos and win a chance to perform their song on a Doritos commercial (and a record deal, I believe).
Well, it just so happens one of the finalists was an urban desi artist. I mentioned his name in my first post, Nivla. He’s an east coast rapper and you can tell. He has that NY swag- typical hardass demeanor, rockin’ that blue Yankee fitted, spittin’ with an accent. Personally, I think he’s one of the heavyweights in the game today (clearly, I have good taste; he made it to the finals). The song submitted was “Koi Na (Be Easy)” featuring P. Oberoi. Just think, one of our very own artists had the chance to make it mainstream! That would have been huge for the scene - too bad it didn’t happen - he lost. Anyways, fuck Doritos and let us be the judges.
Although I think Nivla is a real contender in the game, I give this track 3 out of 5 stars. Now, if I was at a "desi party" (street team, what up) and had drank about a half a fifth of black label, I can picture myself breakin' it down on the dance floor. But would I add this to my iPod playlist? Probably not, and this is my knock on most of these artists. Why does every desi rapper feel as if they have to "commercialize" their music? Clearly, you can tell Nivla did not make this track to earn street cred, rather his first mainstream attempt is a club banger. All good, but don't you think you need to earn that street cred if you want people to respect you as an artist?
Let's switch genres and go to hip-hop for a second. Jay-Z came out with a plethora of tracks to earn street cred (Reasonable Doubt) before he made "Big Pimpin'" (club banger) and 50 cent came out with "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" (arguably one of the best hip-hop albums in the past decade) before he started singing love songs. My point is, they got on the mic, proved they had a serious flow, and then went on to sell out shows at
Honestly, I wouldn't be wasting my time saying this if I didn't think Nivla had the potential to drop some dope lyrics. If you listen to "Be Easy" it’s not hard to notice that he has a pretty solid flow and even better delivery. It's the lack of lyrical creativity that holds me back from adding it to my playlist. I don't want to hear about bahama mamas, pina coladas, and droppin' panties until I think you are cool (earn that street cred homie!). I would've still liked to see you win the contest though, I voted for you! That’s my two cents, what are your thoughts?
Check out the link to his track "Koi Na (Be Easy)". (I tried to find a better version but couldn't)
Friday, January 30, 2009
Allow me to introduce myself...
First and foremost, welcome to my blog, “The Urban Turban Post”. A couple days ago I was reading an “urban desi” article (on a well known Web site in the desi community) and frankly, it sucked. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great site, I just think the “urban desi” section sucks, sorry. So after many hours of deliberation (more like 1) I thought I might as well create this site for those who think like me and the failures that don’t too, I guess. Plus what else do I have to do with my time - work, study, community service? That shits for losers. I prefer drinking, partying and occasionally engaging in pointless arguments (usually after drinking and partying) about politics, sports, women, and yes, the South Asian movement!
In the “Urban Desi” industry there are many artists (dj’s, rappers, singers, producers, etc.) that probably would have been a lot more successful if they had stuck to the traditional Indian path to becoming a doctor, lawyer or engineer. But there are some that have the great potential to surviving in this very opinionated industry (you know desi people love to talk shit) and actually make something of themselves. Notice I said “some”, that’s because I mean it, as of right now a handful at best. Now, I’m excluding those who I feel have already made it - Jay Sean, Punjabi MC, M.I.A to name a few. This blog isn’t really going to be about them or Bollywood (I have no interest in Bollywood and for those that do, go to the “other site” I mentioned). I’m more interested in artists such as Kidd Skilly, Nivla, Blitzkrieg, The Bilz and so on. These guys are the future of “Urban Desi” and I think it is appropriate to give them OUR (participate, damn it!) feedback, whether it be constructive or destructive criticism.
Now some say I have a problem they like to call “verbal diarrhea”, so let me just apologize in advance if I offend anyone. A fair warning: I have no intention of hurting you or your feelings, these are just my thoughts. But, if I do and your feelings actually get hurt, you are a pussy and you should just end your career now, seriously, quit. I’m just a regular dude hiding (hence no profile picture) behind the internet voicing my opinion cause I can (Thank you worldwide web).
Although I may come off as a “hater” (wait for my future posts), I am actually a strong supporter of the “South Asian movement” and would like to see it succeed here in the states. Therefore, when I find something of good quality I’ll give it its’ well deserved props, but when I hear something whack, please believe you will find me bashing it. Kanye said it best, “cuz we don’t wanna hear that weak shit no mooooooo”.
Okay, this has gone on long enough (see, verbal diarrhea). I hope you enjoyed it; there will be many more posts to come.
(Insert accent) “Thank you, come again!”
In the “Urban Desi” industry there are many artists (dj’s, rappers, singers, producers, etc.) that probably would have been a lot more successful if they had stuck to the traditional Indian path to becoming a doctor, lawyer or engineer. But there are some that have the great potential to surviving in this very opinionated industry (you know desi people love to talk shit) and actually make something of themselves. Notice I said “some”, that’s because I mean it, as of right now a handful at best. Now, I’m excluding those who I feel have already made it - Jay Sean, Punjabi MC, M.I.A to name a few. This blog isn’t really going to be about them or Bollywood (I have no interest in Bollywood and for those that do, go to the “other site” I mentioned). I’m more interested in artists such as Kidd Skilly, Nivla, Blitzkrieg, The Bilz and so on. These guys are the future of “Urban Desi” and I think it is appropriate to give them OUR (participate, damn it!) feedback, whether it be constructive or destructive criticism.
Now some say I have a problem they like to call “verbal diarrhea”, so let me just apologize in advance if I offend anyone. A fair warning: I have no intention of hurting you or your feelings, these are just my thoughts. But, if I do and your feelings actually get hurt, you are a pussy and you should just end your career now, seriously, quit. I’m just a regular dude hiding (hence no profile picture) behind the internet voicing my opinion cause I can (Thank you worldwide web).
Although I may come off as a “hater” (wait for my future posts), I am actually a strong supporter of the “South Asian movement” and would like to see it succeed here in the states. Therefore, when I find something of good quality I’ll give it its’ well deserved props, but when I hear something whack, please believe you will find me bashing it. Kanye said it best, “cuz we don’t wanna hear that weak shit no mooooooo”.
Okay, this has gone on long enough (see, verbal diarrhea). I hope you enjoyed it; there will be many more posts to come.
(Insert accent) “Thank you, come again!”
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