Bhangra is a type of non-traditional music of Punjab originating in Britain, specifically Southall and Birmingham. It is a type of upbeat popular music associated with the Punjabi diaspora in Britain. The style has its origins in the folk music of Punjab as well as western pop music of the 1970s and 1980s. Prior to this musical fusion, Bhangra existed only as a dance form in the native Punjab. This Punjabi music was unique in that it was not traditional nor did it seek any authenticity. While the traditional folk music of Punjab has a set of melodies that are used by various singers, Bhangra was a form of strict "band culture" in that new melodies were composed for each song. Therefore, the musicians were as important as the singers.
Rishpal Singh Rekhi, better known by his stage name Rishi Rich, is a British-Indian music producer based in London. He began his career in the Asian Underground scene and later became internationally known for his bhangra tracks, his Hindi remixes, and as a pioneer of Asian-R&B fusion music.
B21 comprises brothers Bally and Bhota Jagpal. The duo — originally a trio with Jassi Sidhu, who left the band in 2002 — take their name from the Handsworth postcode in Birmingham, England.
Surjit Bindrakhia was a singer from Punjab, India. He was known for his unique voice and hekh, in which he sings a note continuously in one breath. His biggest hits include Meri Nath Dig Paye, Dupatta Tera Satrang Da, Lakk Tunoo Tunoo, Bas Kar Bas Kar, Mukhda Dekh Ke, Tera Yaar Bolda, and Jatt Di Pasand. Surjit is considered to have one of the greatest voices in Bhangra. He received a special jury award at the 2004 Filmfare Awards for his contribution to Punjabi music.
Malkit Singh, MBE is an England-based Punjabi bhangra singer. Born in Hussainpur and raised in Nakodar, he moved to Birmingham in 1984. Singh was the first Punjabi singer to be honoured with an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. He is most famous for the songs "Gur Nalo Ishq Mitha", "Tootak Tootak Tootiyan", "Kurri Garam Jayee", "Dekh li vilyait", "Chal Hun", and "Jind Mahi", the latter two from the soundtrack to the popular film Bend It Like Beckham.
Jasbir Singh Bains, better known by his stage name Jasbir Jassi, is an Indian singer, lyricist, performer and actor. As of 2016 he has released thirteen albums, his first pop album being Dil Le Gayee, released in 1998 with Times Music.
Asa Singh Mastana was a Punjabi musician and singer best known for lending his voice to the bollywood movie dooj ka chand and singing jugni and Heer-genre of folk songs, which recount the tales of Heer Ranjha by poet Waris Shah. He became popular in the 1940s, by the mid-1960s, when state-run All India Radio started promoting folk musicians, this made him, along with Surinder Kaur, Pushpa Hans, Madan Bala Sidhu, Prakash Kaur, singers of cult status.
Sukhbir Singh is an Indian singer. He is often referred to as the "Prince of Bhangra". His Bhangra music varied from fusion to pure Punjabi at times.
Paramjit Singh Sidhu, professionally known as Pami Bai, is an Indian singer, songwriter and Bhangra dancer from Patiala.
Reality Check is the debut album of Punjabi singer, Jassi Sidhu, released in 2003. It's his first album after he left his band, B21, in 2002. The album saw the departure of B21 sound and thus, paving the path for an exciting new sound by Jassi Sidhu. The album also opened the doors of success for Jassi in India, where, earlier, he was an unknown face. Reality Check was a commercial hit, both in U.K. and India.
Aashiqui is the greatest hits album of Punjabi singer, Jassi Sidhu, released in 2005. After a solid debut with Reality Check, Jassi Sidhu released his old songs recorded with his old band, B21. The prime purpose of releasing this album was to introduce his older hits to the Indian audience, who was enjoying his debut album, Reality Check. As Jassi Sidhu was an unknown face to the Indian audience, it was a perfect move by the label, and it proved to be really successful. Album was both critically and commercially acclaimed.
No Strings Attached is the second album of the Punjabi singer Jassi Sidhu, released in 2005, after the success of Reality Check and Aashiqui. The album comprised ten brand new tracks, including seven originals and three remixes.
Foji(Punjabi: ਫ਼ੋਜੀ, foji) is a Birmingham-based Punjabi singer, writer and producer,. First rising to fame in 2010 with hits such as Dafa Hoja and Bruah, Foji has continued with a number of successful releases and has featured in the top 3 of the Official Asian Download Chart for longer than any other bhangra artist. Foji Gill was sentenced to five years imprisonment for committing offences related to money laundering in April 2015 until January 2019.
Diljit Dosanjh is an Indian singer, songwriter, actor, film producer and television personality. He works in Punjabi Music and subsequently in Punjabi and Hindi cinema. Dosanjh entered Social 50 chart by Billboard in 2020. He is featured in various music charts including Canadian Albums Chart, UK Asian chart by Official Charts Company and New Zealand Hot Singles. His movies, including Jatt & Juliet 2, Punjab 1984, Sajjan Singh Rangroot and Honsla Rakh are among the highest grossing Punjabi films in history.
Kaka Bhaniawala ; born Santokh Singh Rataurh; was a Punjabi singer from a village in the state of Punjab, India called Doaba Bhaini, near Kohara on Chandigarh - Ludhiana road, represented within his name, meaning from Bhaini (Bhaniawala). The name 'Kaka' was a nickname presented to him by his mother which he then took upon to be signature name on the stage. His debut album with Music Pearls Recording Company Ludhiana is Mashooq Teri Challi.
Jasdeep Singh Gill is an Indian singer, live performer and actor associated with Punjabi and Hindi language music and films. He debuted in Punjabi cinema with the 2014 film Mr & Mrs 420 and in Hindi cinema with the 2018 film Happy Phirr Bhag Jayegi.
Baljit Singh Padam, better known by his stage name Dr. Zeus, is a Punjabi music composer, singer and music producer. He rose to fame in 2003 with his song "Kangna", which was voted the best song on BBC Asian Network in the same year. His other hits are "Don't Be Shy" and "Jugni Ji", which won the best single award in 2012. He has worked with singer Kanika Kapoor for the song "Jugni Ji" and with musician Jaz Dhami for the song "Zulfa". His song "Aag Ka Dariya" features on the Four Lions film soundtrack. A music video was also produced featuring Czech model Yana Gupta and singers Ravindra & DJ Shortie.
Silinder Pardesi is a Bhangra singer-songwriter, lyricist, and composer from Coventry, West Midlands, England. He is the founder and lead singer of the highly acclaimed British Asian Bhangra band 'The Pardesi Music Machine'. In 1994 Silinder Pardesi moved onto pastures new and began his solo career. Over the past 30 years Silinder Pardesi has released over twenty albums and collaborated with an array of artists including Rishi Rich and Neeru Bajwa.
PBN or Punjabi By Nature is a UK-based Indian music producer, singer and songwriter, specialising in bhangra and Asian fusion productions, working with a great number of Desi music artists mainly based in the UK, beginning with the early 2000s. He is signed to Limitless Records and Playback Records. He has also formed TeamPBN as a collaborative project with Bambi, Raj Bains and Serena. Throughout his career, he has become well-known not only in his native UK, but in India, Europe, the Middle East, United States and Canada, Australia and, in general, the Asian music market. His productions are used extensively in night venues, DJ events and on BBC Asian Network and its weekly chart.
Gursharanjot Singh Randhawa is an Indian singer, songwriter and music composer associated with Punjabi, Bhangra, Indi-pop and Bollywood music. He is known for songs like "Lahore", "Ishare Tere", "Slowly Slowly", and "Tere Te". Guru Randhawa's debut song was "Same Girl" in collaboration with Arjun.
