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!”
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Yup, losers study
ReplyDeleteYou started like Jay, ended like Kanye, and threw some "artists" in between.
ReplyDeleteHilarious, yet real. Finally someone who isn't gonna sugarcoat things.
ReplyDeleteIts good to see individuality and diversity amongst Indians, not just doctor, engineer, or some other seemingly nerdy job. Not bashing the nerds, because Im a nerd myself, but it's refreshing to see people driven by passion & talent take the road less traveled. Not saying we should support some Joe-Shmoe Indian artist just because they're Indian, there def has to be quality behind whats supported. And I think here is a good place to be, as you said, constructive or destructive.
ReplyDeletewhat flawless writing...
ReplyDeletecant wait for more posts!
pushing the status quo is something desis are supposed to do well,(gandhi, vivekanand) but somewhere that got lost(career choices)..admiring the ones that put themselves to be judged by all eyes are the ones who possess the gonads, and they should be kept honest and given praise when necessary. do you.
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ReplyDeleteniraj insisted i post so, of the top of my head...
ReplyDeletei think there are (at least) two things holding back the next Jay Sean or MIA in the states.
First, talent. someone, please, let me know if i'm wrong on this, but i haven't heard anyone at the level of the aforementioned artists.
Second, and more importantly, lack of embrace by the wider indian (or South Asian, i guess, to be politically correct) community. sure, there are those who are into the american "urban desi"* music scene (like this blog's author, he seems to suggest, though while I can recall many arguments about women and politics - fucking republican - those on the South Asian movement escape me). However, there are as many, if not more, who scoff at the idea of replacing a Fabolous song on their playlist with RDB.
The second factor surely contributes, in no small way, to the first. Whereas in London, a desi musician can truly be mainstream - not just within the indian community but the entire country - in the states there is as yet no evidence to support the fact that one can be fully embraced even within the indian community. hence, the road to be dr. patel of Henry Ford Medical Center looks far rosier than that to be dr. patel of the Chronic 2009.
holla.
*see: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95739927
Thank you neelb for enlightening us with your thoughts. When I had originally asked you to comment I just wanted you to say, "Wow, great fucking blog", I didn't need to hear your thoughts on the "South Asian movement" but, now I'm kind of glad you did.
ReplyDeleteFirst, talent. You are correct when you say you haven't heard anyone on the talent level of M.I.A or Jay Sean, but that is not to say it isn't out there. I'll save this topic for a future post.
Second,let sleeping dogs lie. You do not want to get me started on this. There are reasons why I do not get into conversations about the South Asian movement with you. First being, YOU (and a million others)contribute to the lack of embrace by the wider Indian(South Asian, to be politically correct) community. The first thing you do when you hear an "urban desi" artist is compare them to artists such as, Fab and Jay. It's comparing apples to oranges, we'll discuss later. Stay tuned.
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ReplyDeleteIf any of those artists consider themselves rappers, then I think it's a pretty fair comparison to compare them to fab or jay
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic man. I think you gotta give artists (especially desi ones, most I think are WACK...atleast in the USA.) their feedback weather its good or bad. That's how u can break or make them. looking forward into reading more.
ReplyDeletekeep it real.
1. Like the idea of a blog, but is it solely based on this topic? If so, longevity will be an issue...
ReplyDelete2. On the talent tip, the problem with "urban desi" artists is a lack of originality. In order to excel, they have to bring something different (ie MIA)...and most of the time they are just imitators. That's why my interest in this genre has waned considerably.
This is good stuff guys, keep giving your opinions, I appreciate it. Your questions and comments will be addressed in future posts. Keep checking!
ReplyDeleteway to punt on every point niraj.
ReplyDeletei dont compare anyone to fab or jay, no one is even on that level. and i'm not even a big fab fan (that was a neil P reference).
i'm bumpin MIA and jay sean all day bro.
Urban Desi artist's don't all lack creativity and originality but lack the support of the South Asian community as a whole because every indian out there is always going to "hate" on another one being successful especially when it comes to the non-traditional routes. In a market where cd's sieze to sell and when the economy is at a epic downturn & p2p file sharing is at an ultimate high, artist's lack proper funding which is always a background issue. It's not like they can keep working on their music and one day walk into a mainstream record label exec's office and spit 16 bars and get signed. These artists need to have the respect of their fans and supporters in their niche market before they expand.
ReplyDeleteRespect and credit is given where it's deserved. Anyone who pushes the envelope and travels down the path less traveled deserves this, not just South Asian Artists.
ReplyDeleteI myself am a huge promoter of the Indian Culture and keeping it a live here, but some of the South Asian Artists just don't cut it.
I believe that support and talent go hand in hand. I refuse to support someone merely because they are South Asian. Just like everything, The South Asian Scene too has an image to carry and supporting non-talented artists would tarnish that.
My biggest issue with the South Asian scene and the current "artists" that you speak of, is the length of time they've been in the scene.
Success, at least I think, in the music industry, is defined pretty early on. A year ago if you had asked me who M.I.A was, I would've said, "who the hell is that." I didn't hear about her performing at Indian dance competition afterparties, I heard her on the radio driving home from work. She is talented; therefore she gained the support to prevail amidst her competition. Someone could argue that people like Jay Sean and RDB performed at such venues that I speak of and they broke the barrier. The difference is, aside from their talent, they traveled a more conducive path (UK Radio) where support is almost inevitable and South Asians in the realm of airwaves is common.
Everyone has to start somewhere and that’s exactly what it is, a start.
After countless marketing/promoting efforts, working with mainstream artists, and apparently performing across the globe, if talent existed, it should've been already discovered.
I am a firm believer in persistence paying off. But just like everything, that to has a limit.
I hope I didn't offend anyone and if I did, like Niraj said, "you should quit your career."
I have a couple thoughts, here's the first one:
ReplyDeleteA huge problem with the "Desi movement", if that's what you want to call it, is that it almost seems like its uncool to be "too Indian" or have a majority Desi friends, listen to Desi music, go to big Desi parties, etc. Its sad because its self-hatred which is dumb and unnecessary and I don't really know where it has come from. Maybe its just like that in Michigan, who knows....
Any ways, I think its this kind of mentality that has prevented South Asian artists to be fully appreciated. I love finding new music in all genres and if the artists are Desi its even more enjoyable to spread the tunes but I often find that many people prejudge the musicians as being too gimmicky and assume a lack of talent simply because they are Desi (and this is by Desi listeners may I remind you). How can we expect mainstream America to accept our community's artists if the Desi community themselves don't?
Secondly, I think hip hop is dead/dying. There is a growing movement towards more electro/house/pop remix kind of music and after traveling to places like Miami/NYC/London, it seemed like all the places you wanted to be played that kind of music at the clubs. If it was hip hop they were playing it was usually old school. That being said, its real hard to make it in the hip hop world now and that's why I think MIA has had so much success because she plays a very unique genre that has elements of electro and hip hop. Desi hip hop artists run into trouble when they try to use their Desi-ness to try and sound unique (eg. someone like Bohemia) and then come off as gimmicky or try to stay away from that and sound run of the mill (eg. Lazarus). The only reason desi artists do well in the UK is because Asians are the number 1 minority in the country. So if you are popular with the Asians, of course you will be somewhat mainstream.
In conclusion I don't really have any solutions. These are just my observations.
-HK
I concur with HK, except I don't think hip hop is dead. Jays still firing it out, Wayne's on autotune but he can still rap, not to mention all the non mainstream artists.
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