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.
Friday, February 27, 2009
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)
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