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Future Sounds 2019

The next wave of British Asian talent is ready to take over

After creating a DIY buzz with her mash-up covers on social media, her standout performance at 大象传媒 Music Day’s Pass The Mic event led to her become Bobby Friction’s Introducing artist of the week.

Switching from a delicate Bollywood voice to smooth modern R&B, and taking on traditional Punjabi folk songs in-between, Amanjot represents everything that is exciting about British Asian music in 2019.

Teaming up with Ayo Beatz and Raxstar, she reimagined Panjabi MC’s classic “Neuke Phadin Jawanan” for Asian Network’s Legalised Project.

Amanjot Sangha

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Ava Sehra

West London R&B singer Ava Sehra has recorded and performed live with grime act Krept and Konan. Her breakthrough track 'W.D.Y.L' harks back to the 90s R&B queens of Aaliyah and Brandy with a fresh take, featuring Konan. Ava is set to have a big 2020, with her debut EP dropping early in the year. She has been played by 1Xtra’s Jamz Supernova and Asian Network’s Jasmine Takhar and DJ Firestarr.

Deesh Sandhu

All eyes are on Deesh Sandhu to make her mark on the UK Punjabi music scene this year. She has been compared to legendary artists like Ranjit Kaur and Surinder Kaur, and spent this summer performing at Melas across the UK and in the US.

Harris J

A graduate from the BRIT school, Harris J started out his music career aged 15 and has already toured extensively across East Asia. Now 22 his sound has evolved with his recent release ‘Human’ pointing towards his development and recent collaboration with Ard Adz and RA for his latest release ‘Dangerous’. Harris has received support from Radio 1’s Kan D Man and DJ Limelight as well as Asian Network’s Yasser.

Hyphen

Charismatic rapper Hyphen tours with a six-piece live jazz band, and he made a big impression at Reading + Leeds Festival 2019, representing 大象传媒 Asian Network. With a sharp take on societal norms and wellbeing, his debut track 'We’re OK' was supported by 大象传媒 Introducing in Radio Solent. The track raised awareness for male mental health, an issue close to his heart and a battle he has had to fight. His conscience and honest take on hip-hop has won him support from 6 Music’s Tom Robinson and Asian Network’s Bobby Friction and Mobeen Azhar.

Jazz Aulakh

Wolverhampton’s Jazz Aulakh has crafted his own sound of Punjabi Trap music with his debut track 'UpTown' going straight into the Asian Network playlist, winning praise from Bobby Friction, Dipps and Harpz. Aged just 17, Jazz has self-funded his releases, and founded the CALIENTE collective, which aims to bring a new young energy to the UK Punjabi music scene.

Junaid Malik

Southall’s Junaid Malik first burst on to the scene as a finalist on the TV show Brit Asia Superstar. Lyrically he merges Urdu, Punjabi, and English together for his own take on Desi Pop, which has seen him collaborating with the likes of Zack Knight for his track 'Menu Mere Haal'. Junaid has been championed by Asian Network’s Waqas Saeed.

Nayana IZ

North London rapper and model Nayana is bringing her own flow to hard hitting beats fused with Indian instruments, and has recently been in the studio with heavyweight producer Karma Kid (Octavian and Dua Lipa). She is part of the rap outfit, Nine8 Collective, and is a co-founder of Hydration studios – a queer/femme focused platform for women in hip-hop.