This story is from July 3, 2015

From Jaz Dhami to ThePropheC: Musicians talk about Punjabi music industry

Punjabi music industry has evolved in the last few years, so much that it is completely different from what it was a few years ago.
<arttitle>From Jaz Dhami to ThePropheC<b>: </b>Musicians talk about Punjabi music industry <b> </b></arttitle>

Punjabi music industry has evolved in the last few years, so much that it is completely different from what it was a few years ago. Times have come when musicians are buying their own music to be on the top. But nevertheless, real music has always emerged as the winner.
Punjabi musicians Jaz Dhami, Panjabi Hit Squad, Bups Saggu, Geeta Zaildar, Serena Kern, Harsimran Singh and Harsimran Singh talk about the key to their success, constantly evolving Punjabi music industry and how right it is to buy music to attain the number one tag.

Jaz Dhami
Breaking down my musical journey into a few sentences is a little difficult because it has been a long process of learning, dedication and sacrifice. You have to understand I���������ve been on this journey since I was 9 years old. Do you remember what being 9 was like? Most kids spend it playing with their friends or on their computer games. My dad had me sit in front of a harmonium at that age. I have to admit that back then, I just wanted to play, and felt jealous of the other kids. But when I look back now, I realize that if my dad hadn���������t instilled that discipline in me, I wouldn���������t have been able to carve my musical path in the same way. So I���������d say my commitment to learning from a young age played a big part in the rewards I���������m able to reap now.

If I hadn���������t gone through the rigorous training that I had, then I���������d have never been able to confidently perform alongside some of the country���������s greatest orchestras. I was lucky enough to acquire the skills that I have, that in turn gave me the confidence to experiment with the songs I���������ve produced and that has had a big part to play in the success I have achieved. Music and the way it is released have changed massively.
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I think the lyrics and musicality was stronger in the 80���������s/90���������s. It has become so easy for people to put music out and consume it, which in my eyes, has made it disposable and the overall quality is suffering. Being number one doesn���������t necessarily mean a song is successful in the Asian industry. We don���������t see massive Punjabi artists like Gurdas Maan and Satinder Sartaj topping the charts but yet they���������re still the biggest touring Punjabi artists across the globe. That���������s a real measure of success. Hitting number one with any track is always nice but it���������s not the be all and end all. I don���������t believe that it should be the focus while producing and releasing a song.
I���������m working on so many new songs with some great producers. I���������m excited about the Bollywood projects I���������m working on but there are also some real Bhangra bangers in the pipeline. I���������ve got a couple of tracks with Tigerstyle whose work ethic I really admire. I���������ve also got a really cool dance floor song with Punjabi producer Jatinder Shah. I���������m going to be releasing singles that���������ll hopefully lead to an album.
Panjabi Hit Squad
For us, it has always been about hard work and understanding our audience. We have always prided ourselves in taking Panjabi music to the masses, whether it's through our weekly radio show on BBC Asian Network/BBC 1Xtra or performing at festivals like Glastonbury/Liverpool international music festival.
Current bhangra music is for the generation now. People make comparisons but it's unfair. In the 90's, we saw golden eras of Punjabi music. Clubbers were packing 3000+ to see Malkit singh, Alaap, Heera, B21 and others. Now, the young generation has so much more to listen to. With the social media,YouTube and Spotify, people���������s taste in music is changing. Punjabi artists need to start competing with urban music stars in order to keep music lovers interested. Two examples of how this can be done are Diljit Dosanjh and Imran Khan. They both know their audience and are making songs that sound incredible. If you're only basing yourself on a music chart, you won't be here for long.
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Buying your own songs to become number one is wrong and affects the scene in a big way. Mr Blobby went on to become number one on the UK charts but it didn't make him or his song any more credible. It still gets laughed at as the public knows what's good and what's not. We have just got back in the studio to work on a new album. Our radioshow on BBC Asian Network is constantly growing.
Bups Saggu
I started off as a Bhangra dancer, then became a musician, joined the top Bhangra bands and DJs, playing dhol at the same time. I then went on to become a DJ and focused myself on learning the art of DJing. After completing my degree in accounting, I studied music and production. After qualifying, I joined a group called the Rhythm Shakers. Soon after the release of our only album, I did my solo project Redefined, which became a hit album.
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It���������s been a long journey and now I can say that I and my music are cemented in the Punjabi music scene. Music is fashion and it will always evolve and change. I personally embrace change. It is crucial to move with the times and at the same time, be attached to our roots. Buying your own songs to become number one is pathetic. I think it is a desperate attempt for attention. Music should always do the talking and you can never buy your fans. Music will always win and not money. You can expect a lot from me in the coming days. I may do an album or release singles. Collaborations which I am allowed to mention include Jassi Sidhu, Jasmine Akhtar and Mafia Mundeer.
Geeta Zaildar
I owe my success to hard work and to that every minute I���������ve spent concentrating on my work. You can't expect to succeed in career if you don't believe in yourself. I have made every effort to remain the same as I was before success came my way. I have a very small circle of friends and some of which I went to school with, keep me grounded. Most of all, my success in the music industry is because of Waheguru. Music is very much a fashion, it changes so often. In the recent years, western music has had a big influence on Bhangra music. Artists and music producers have adapted to this very well. Old classic Bhangra is still very enjoyable to listen to.
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The artists are buying their own music because of piracy being so rife in the music industry. People aren't buying original music or are downloading from illegal sites. It's a shame that artists have to do this to further their careers. I have trust in my fans and know that they are the true judges of my music and not necessarily the charts. I am fortunate to have a loyal and honest fan following. My album 302 was released earlier this year and more recently, a single titled ���������LA���������, both the songs have had an excellent response. As for the future, I have so much planned for the next few months.
Serena Kern
I was born and brought up in India. My background has had a big influence on my music. I love experimenting with ideas and had, some time ago, produced a few tracks which combined elements of Indian music. My first real fusion song was ���������Lullaby���������. The track was inspired by a lullaby my mother used to sing for me and the song was very well received. I had also collaborated with tabla player Fazal Qureshi on another track and again, the feedback was really good. My recent collaboration with Rishi Rich has added to my repertoire of fusion songs.
I flew out to Atlanta, where we worked on four tracks together. Rishi is well established in the music industry and when it comes to fusion music, he is the best person to work with. Music has indeed evolved and is constantly changing. As a musician, one can connect with an audience and can invoke emotions and feelings. As music evolves and new styles are created, you have more and more choices to play around with. I think that at the end of the day, the focus of the industry should always be on producing good quality music.
It is of course important to appreciate and recognise artists and the charts are one way of doing this. It is important, however, to always keep in mind that, while chart success can be a means to an end, it should never be an end in itself. About new songs, I have been working on another four tracks which are due to release towards the end of this year. In addition, there are several other projects I am working on.
Harsimran Singh
First of all, I would say that I am very blessed. With blessings of Waheguru and support from my family and friends, I am here. I am working really hard. I did my M.A. in music. So, I think I have a little bit of idea that what I should deliver for the listeners. Well, about getting paid views, I can't say much. I never do that and never will. I take it in this way that when you walk on the streets, if people don't come to you to take photos and autographs, then it doesn't matter how many views you have on YouTube or any other website. Your listeners are everything.
They make you a star and not the fake views and likes. Many musicians do that but then again, leave them alone and let them waste their time and money. I believe in hard work. So, that's why I think it has been good for me so far. I will be releasing my songs one after another. There are a few artists who have launched their albums recently but I guess, they didn't work well. Plus, when you release a single, you can concentrate on it more and promote it in a better way. ���������Dheeth yaar��������� is my upcoming song to be released in the first week of July.
ThePropheC
I don't know what defines success in this industry but my view of success is making a living doing what you love and constantly finding opportunities to grow as an individual and artist. I got where I am right now, in the Punjabi music industry, by doing my best to innovate and make music that appeals to me while staying true to my brand, my fans and my sound. I feel a lot of Punjabi artists look outwards to the world for inspiration whereas mine always comes from within. I think these days, it's easier for someone to become an artist and achieve short term success. With the current technology and social media, you don't need a lot of money to make a good song and get recognition.
However, people still confuse making a good song with spending money on marketing and creating a package. Before a song is even done, people are planning the video, paying for promotion and hyping themselves up. These days, most artists lay less emphasis on the music. For them, it is all about the package. While I agree it's important to have a package, I'm pretty sure Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan wasn't thinking about his image, videos or package when he was making some of the greatest songs of all time. Regardless of what it was or what it is now, good music stands the test of time. I think it is unfair to artists who don't do stuff like buying their own music to get a number one tag.
But at the same time, charts, views, ratings etc. are only short term. These things last for a few weeks, and then someone else comes in. The true test of a song is long term. The performances, publishing, licensing and public appreciation mean a lot more to me than staying in the charts for a few weeks. The artists who buy their own music or buy their own views need to look at the bigger picture. I'm working on a few singles that will lead up to my next album as well as a few collaboration tracks later this year.
Source:SimplyBhangra.com
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