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.
Rajinder Singh Rai, better known by his stage name Panjabi MC, is a British-Indian recording artist, rapper, producer and DJ. He is best known for the worldwide 2002 Bhangra hit "Mundian To Bach Ke", which sold 10 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. Among other songs, he gained acclaim with the 2003 release "Jogi". AllMusic has called him "one of the most prominent names in bhangra".
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.
Sukshinder Shinda is a British Punjabi playback singer-songwriter and bhangra record producer from Handsworth in Birmingham, England. He hails from Village Dhamai, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab in India.
Kulwinder Singh Gill, better known as Guggu Gill, is an Indian film actor who mainly works in Punjabi cinema. He was one of the leading actors in Punjabi cinema in the 1990s along with Yograj Singh. He has done 65-70 films so far.
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.
Bikram Singh is an American bhangra music artist. A graduate of Touro Law School, he also works as an attorney in New York City.
Johney Brar, also known as DJ JoN-E or "Johnny No Best", is a Canadian DJ, producer, writer and radio host. He was the host and executive producer of the primetime Desi Live Radio Program which first aired on CHRY 105.5FM then was nationally distributed in the United States on HD Radio in New York/New Jersey WRKS 98.7FM HD2, Washington WTOP 103.5FM HD2, Chicago WKQX 101.1FM HD2, San Jose/Bay Area KIOI 101.3FM HD2 and Los Angeles KPWR 105.9FM HD2. He is currently head of operations for Sixcity Media.
Masood Rana (Urdu: مسعُود رانا), was a Pakistani film playback singer. He began his singing career in 1962 with the film Inqalab, became one of the top male singers in both Urdu and Punjabi films for more than three decades and remained a busy singer until his death in 1995.
Ghulam Ahmed Chishti, , (17 August 1905 – 25 December 1994) was a Pakistani music composer, attributed as being one of the founders of Indian and Pakistani film music. He is also sometimes referred to as Baba Chishti.
Harbans Singh Jandu, also known as Jandu Littranwala, is an Indian music composer associated with Punjabi music.
Amrinder Singh Gill is an Indian actor, singer, songwriter and film producer who makes Punjabi-language films and music. He has been nominated for twenty-four PTC Punjabi Film Awards, winning seven including three for Best Actor, and two for Best Playback singer and has been nominated for five Filmfare Awards, winning two for Best Actor and Best Playback singer, among other accolades.
Shazia Manzoor is a Pakistani playback and folk singer. She is known for her song, "Chann Meray Makhna".
The UK Asian Music Awards, also known by the abbreviation UK AMA, was an awards show that was held annually in the United Kingdom from 2002 to 2012. The awards show has been produced and broadcast by B4U Music since 2008. Awards winners were decided by public voting at a website, from a list of nominees presented by the event organizers, except for the special category awards "Outstanding Achievement" and "Commitment to Scene" which are decided by the organizers. Desimag called the event "The most prestigious Asian music awards ceremony in the UK".
Dharampreet was a well-known Punjabi singer from Punjab, India. He started his career in 1993 with a solo album, Khatra ha Sohneya Nu. In all, he released 12 solo albums and 6 albums of duets. He committed suicide on June 8, 2015, at his residence in Bathinda. He was known as the "King of Punjabi Sad Songs".
Kali, is a form of Chhand (quatrain), a poetry bond under strict rules in Punjabi literature. Kali chhand is also used in singing as a type of Punjabi folk song where it is also known by its plural form, Kalian or Kaliyan. Although it is not so common in singing, it became a particular genre of Punjabi music. Kali is sung by only few Punjabi singers like Kuldeep Manak, Surinder Shinda and some more, but it was popularized by Kuldeep Manak with Tere Tille Ton written by Dev Tharike Wala.
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.
Bups Saggu is a British Bhangra DJ, music producer and singer based in Wolverhampton, England.
Kamaldeep Singh Dhaliwal, commonly known as Hobby Dhaliwal is an Indian film actor, singer, and politician. He is known for his works in Punjabi and Hindi films. Dhaliwal began his career by debut movie Burrraahh in 2012. The films Angrej (2015), Lahoriye (2017), Jora 10 Numbaria (2017), and Ardaas Karaan (2019) are among his best known works.
