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.
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here's a little different swing on things "urban". Some of the points made in previous posts are very pertinent to the issue at hand. However, I think there was one vital point that was missed. We need to look at the US industry first off. Let's take a general look at the US esp from a Canadian. There's a division within the US society you have the democrats and republicans. Their views differ but it seems as though they share one view... (in my experience) that America is the end all and be all country. And i'm talking about the non desi population here... pure Americans. Americans are very pompous about their country, but who isn't? I'm a proud Canadian
ReplyDeleteWhat i'm trying to get at is the mentality in the US industry is very partial to american music, be it rock pop funk rap etc. Is it possible that the industry just isn't ready yet? I mean they thought the day of an african american president would never come. I truly believe that it's the mentality of the american industry that has us all fooled.
Now I am canadian and ever since i started university in the states, there have been over a dozen times when I meet an American who says "you're the first indian i've met, or even seen". Sheltered much? And for those who know me, i'm not from a big city like Toronto, i'm from a city that to some, is recognized as a "hick town".
Speaking of Toronto now, the bilz - 2 step bhangra was being overplayed on the biggest radio station in toronto. Secondly, kidd skilly was on a radio station in toronto. Why is it that they never showed up on american radio? I hate to say it, but I think it's cause they're just not ready or they're not ready to take that jump. It's not because the arist doesn't have talent because they do and they make good music.
Let's be honest... stanky leg? Really? But can I do the dance??? abso-fucking-lutely! Why? Because american radio made it so, if only the american radio / industry were able to play a song by a desi artist it would hit off. But I hate to say it "they ain't ready".
Now, this is not a hit on America as a whole, hell i've been here for the last 8 years of my life. It's just the way it is, it'll take some serious time before we hear something on mainstream radio.
However, good news is, it's getting better, there are more indians in politics, tv shows, movies and the entertainment business than ever before. We're getting there, it'll take some time though.
On a lighter note, I was at the club that I spin at, and it was like 9:30, so i had a mixtape going cause there was only 15 people there and I was minding my own business drinking my blue moon with an orange when all of a sudden a drunken man (aged approx 53) says
"Hey! You're the guy from slumdog millionaire!!" to that i said "Yeah! Did you like my movie?" he says "This place has great beer" to that I rolled my eyes and chuckled.
End Rant.
I agree with you Niraj, it's going to take some time before Urban Desi explodes into the scene in the US. But, I think when it does, it will have a large effect.
ReplyDeleteMe, personally, I am not a fan of the Urban Desi scene. I have yet to hear a consistent steam of Urban Desi music that I have loved. I am spoiled by the amazing artists all over America who always put out good track after good track ranging from artists such as Jay Z all the way to Blink 182.
Here's how I look at it, it's simple and it really is just a matter of time. ESPN has about three Desi anchors, a Desi clown is the governor of Louisiana, a Desi fool is the CEO of the most dumbfounded company in America (CitiBank, Vikram Pandit). I mean there's over a billion of us (Desi's) in the world. That's about 19% of the world comprised of Desis. It's only a matter of time before Urban Desi explodes (the numbers don't lie), but that doesn't mean it's any good, at least not to me.
I really pray though that the first Urban Desi artist to explode into the US isn't another DJ Khaled copycat There is no way I can stand another idiot running around saying "Whooooooooooooooooooooo, weeeeeeeeeeeeee, weeeeeeeeeeeeee the BEST"