Premi (band)

Last updated
Premi
Premi Group UK 1987 I Love Premi album.jpg
Eight members including Johal Premi, Pali Cheema and Kuljit Bhamra. The album, entitled 'Nachdi Di Gooth Khulgaye', was released in 1987 on Multitone Records and includes performances on keyboards and percussion by Kuljit Bhamra.
Background information
OriginUnited Kingdom
Genres Bhangra
Years active1981–present
MembersJohal Premi
Kuljit Bhamra
Pali Cheema
Website kedarecords.com/artist/premi/ OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Premi is a British Asian bhangra band from Southall originally founded by singer/poet Johal Premi in 1981, with toombi player and poet Pali Cheema, with Kuljit Bhamra MBE producing and also on keyboards and percussion. [1] The band recorded their first album Chhammak Jehi Mutiar Da in 1983. The group's songs, Tina O Tina, Giddha Pa Nikkiey and Nachdi di Gooth Khulgaye are still enjoyed on some British South Asian wedding dance floors. [1]

Contents

History

Premi was formed in Southall in the early 1980s by singer and lyricist Johal Premi, with poet and tumbi player Pali Cheema also taking part in the group’s beginnings. Their first album, Chhamak Jehi Mutiar Da, came out in 1983 with music arranged by Kuljit Bhamra. Immediately after mixing, Johal Premi took a cassette tape of the songs to show his singer-friend Kumar Heera, who lived nearby (he was setting up Heera Group. [1]

Premi's catalogue includes several songs that continue to be played more than three decades later at weddings and community events. [1]

Radio 1 DJ Peel saw the band play live at the ICA in June 1987, stating that Premi played a "blinder" in particular highlighting the "storm of rhythm" around the dholak drum. [2] Later that year in August 1987 the band were invited to record a Peel Session for broadcast on BBC Radio 1. [3] Band member Raju cited the recording as his "biggest highlight" while in the group. [4]

According to The Guardian newspaper, Premi are one of the "most famous" UK bhangra acts, selling significant quantities of records but not attracting mainstream media attention. [5] In 2013 the BBC Asian Network ran a poll to find the 50 Greatest Bhangra Anthems. Premi track "Nachdi Di Gooth Khul Gaye" was listed at number 42. [6] In an Allmusic album review the group was called a "pioneer of pop bhangra", and in 2019 the Eastern Eye newspaper stated Premi were "Legendary". [4] [7]

As of 2019, the band continues to perform. The line-up, although changing over the years, includes original members Jaswinder Singh Matharu and Harmesh Singh Johal. [8]

Johal Premi solo career

Johal Premi gained recognition with songs such as “O Tina O Tina”, which continues to appear on streaming platforms. He has also performed under the name Premi Johal, releasing singles including “Tu Meri Sardarni” and appearing in radio and video interviews discussing his music. [9] [10]

Discography

Albums

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Premi". Keda Records. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
  2. ↑ Peel, John (2009). The Olivetti chronicles : three decades of life and music. ISBN   9780552157049.
  3. ↑ "BBC - Radio 1 - Keeping It Peel - 04/08/1987 Premi". BBC . 4 August 1987. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 "A concert not to be missed". Eastern Eye. 25 January 2019. ProQuest   2259305028.
  5. ↑ Chaudhary, Vivek (15 August 2003). "The big bhangra". The Guardian . Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  6. ↑ "50 Greatest Bhangra Anthems". BBC . 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  7. 1 2 St. Pierre, Raissa. "Bhangra Ten Years On Review". Allmusic . Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "'Difference in our voices made us gel together'". Eastern Eye . 17 May 2019.
  9. ↑ "Akshay's Urban Podcast - The legendary Punjabi singer Premi Johal joins Akshay to chat about new track 'Tu Meri Sardarni' produced by Popsy". sabrasradio. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  10. ↑ "Bhangra legends Premi on the show". BBC . 22 February 2012. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  11. ↑ Roberts, John Storm. "Dior Da Viyah Review". Allmusic . Retrieved 20 September 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.