Panjabi MC is surely Britain's brightest new musical talent of 2003. Coventry born and based DJ-rapper Panjabi MC (aka PMC – known to his mum as Rajinder Rai) started out as a rapper. Always interested in bhangra – a traditional music of farmers in the Punjab region that was powered by the dhol (a double headed drum) – he began rapping over bhangra beats and sampling the voices of such legendary (in the Punjab) singers as Surinder Kaur and Gurdass Maan.
Bhangra has always been popular in the UK with sections of the Asian community and as young British Asians such as PMC started drawing on the influences of hip-hop and Jamaican dancehall reggae the music began to find its way through to a much wider community. PMC began releasing albums and finding a great response to his music. When he released the single "Mundian To Bach Ke (Beware Of The Boys)" in 1998 it was well received by bhangra fans but ignored by mainstream radio other than certain hip-hop DJs and producers who took inspiration from PMC’s efforts.
Interest grew steadily until a New York hip-hop label reissued "Mundian To Bach Ke" early in 2003. Soon the sound of bhangra was tearing up international dancefloors – across the summer of 2003 "Mundian To Bach Ke" went to No 1 in Germany and reached the Top 5 in the UK. It also crossed over in the US so achieving the unthinkable – making a UK rapper popular in America!
"It's a very exciting time for me and for the music. Eastern and Western styles and beats are being fused which reflects life in the Midlands," PMC told the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Satnam Rana.
Panjabi MC has since collaborated on the massive summer hit "Beware" with superstar rapper Jay-Z and recorded with dancehall star Beenie Man. Across Europe and Asia Panjabi has become an instant star and local interpretations of "Mundian To Bach Ke" blast from the speakers. Still resident in Coventry, PMC's fusion of Asian and Western beats and language has proved how music speaks in an international tongue.
Garth Cartwright, October 2003
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I am a huge fan of Dr. Zeus...i think he is the sexiest guy on this planet....i just love him for his music and his looks...i just cant think of punjabi music without him...he rocks... Prerna
i love your music... your so sexy christian
I am A huge Fan Of Panjabi Uk Music Panjabi Mc Rishi Rich Aman Hayer Dr.Zeus Dj Sanj Dj Stin Rdb And All Those working as Dj Who r there In Uk.I always wanted to be a Dj but still Trying I always Try to Mix One to another Try to make something new I have Made a Folder in Pc as Medly Box Whaich Around 12-13 Songs Made By Me. Using a Software and mix them all. Yesterday I tried to mix Phulkari of G.grewal, Kala Chasma A.Arshi, Kangna Dr.Zeus and Sucessfully done that. I always trying toget achance to show my skills in front of a professional Dj. If I will Be Wrong in somewhere I surely Get his point What He Wants to tell Me? nd all that I want to say about u And Myself. Vikas Gogna
i like his songs aman
he is too good. NO COMMENTS saqib from sheldon s.forn
I think he is over hypped and his song is not as hot . It was song that released for indians 8 years ago and he jsut added jAY Z to get into the mainstream and is using the indian culture to further himself and giving indians a bad name Nilesh
The song was BAD-ASS!!!!!!!! i really like it. Its diffrent music i really enjoy it. Diandra
I think that his songs ROCK they make people dance and jump all around his song are sooo co0l they really are i love his songs!! Zaroo
I think think your music is great Punjab MC. My sister really liked your music ever since we went to a reception and heard your song! Please try and make new songs that will make us all like. Dinesh
panjabimc is the best and the number1 and he's really good singer
i listern to all his songs
sundeep
I think Panjabi MC is a very influential artist. His songs like Good Morning and Jogi are superb. He has really changed the face of Indian music, and has been important to many.
I am pretty sure MC will continue to win awards and people's attention! Laveesh
I love Panjabi MC's music. He is very talented and the music is electric. I may not understand a single word, but that does not in any way affect the beauty of his songs. One of my favorites sung by him is "Jogi". I am happy that he is finally getting the recognition he deserves! Hanane
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