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Panjabi Hit Squad
Panjabi Hit Squad have been right at the forefront of British-Asian music since their formation in the summer of 2001. The West London based DJ/Producer collective (comprising four members Rav, Dee, Markie and Amo) were originally separate entities in the UK’s vibrant urban music scene. With a background in the club-scene going back to the early 90’s, They setup the most defining club night for Asian music in ‘94 called Hot ‘N’ Spicy at the Wag Club then in 95 moving to The Limelight Club attracting over 1000 clubbers every week and having guest appearances by 112, Puff Daddy, Faith evens, Horace Brown & Jodeci. In 2001 the Panjabi Hit Squad formed to create a new genre that fused Bhangra with Street music: ’Desi Beats’.
By 2002 Panjabi Hit Squad were already succeeding in their bid to build bridges between ’Desi Beats’ and the Black music scene, resulting in a signing to Def Jam UK in early 2003 and productions for Sway, Mariah Carey, Ashanti, Bobby Valentino and Beanie Man. There 2003 album released trough Def Jam Featured the Smash ‘Hai Hai’ which is considered the second most defining Asian record to cross over to the mainstream market. It was also the first Asian video to reach No.1 in the MTV Base chart. Rapper Jay-Z also samples Hai Hai on the track ‘Higher’.
In 2004 the squad were also nominated for ‘Best Club DJ’ at the MOBO Awards & nominated for ‘Best Urban Act’ at the EMMA Awards. Also New York Label AV8 Records release Desi beats to the USA urban market attracting massive attention towards the squad and getting played in clubs by Dj’s such as Mark Ronson, Fatman Scoop and Cipha Sounds
The Squad were part of the original launch line-up of BBC’s Black Music station 1Xtra and in the years since have built a show that has carved a reputation for breaking Home grown British-Asian talent and winning Awards to boost, taking the ’Best Specialist Radio Show’ at the Asian Music Awards in 2004 and 2005.
In 2006 the squad saw a change up in members with Markie Mark taking up a position at BBC Asian Network and Amo perusing another career. It was for the two remaining members of Panjabi Hit Squad (Dee & Rav) to come back strong.... Welcome to the world of BollyHood. BollyHood is a mix of Bollywood music with Urban beats. The first Bollyhood artist to come out was Panjabi Hit Squad Signing Alyssia. A street track called ‘Pyar Hogiya’ was released in March 2006 which spent 4 weeks at BBC Asian Network top 20, 6 Weeks at club Asia’s T20 Chart and 3 weeks at sunrise radio’s charts. Quite phenomenal considering the track is not available as a commercial release.
2007 Panjabi Hit Squad started work on Alyssia’s debut album, In addition to working on Alyssia’s album they spent time in America recording with various Rappers and Artists for there album ‘Not For Duplication’. In August Panjabi hit squad got another radio show on BBC Asian Network each and every Saturday afternoon. In a interview in Music Week Magazine they quoted Panjabi Hit Squad being "one of the top 10 UK Urban DJ’s".
In 2008 the year starts of by the release of Alyssia’s Album which is Produced by Panjabi Hit Squad. Already the first single ‘Deewana’ Has spent many weeks in many of the top 10 Asian charts & her second single ‘Tera Pyar’ is already on its way to be one of the hottest songs of 2008. Also with riding high of the release of ‘Alyssia’ Panjabi hit squad found time to collaborate with R’n’B Star Jay Sean on the remix to his first single ‘Ride it’ Which went number 12 in the UK charts. With the success of ’Ride It’ Jay sean also tapped Panjabi Hit Squad for his second single ’Maybe’
Two Radio shows, two awards and three successful albums later Panjabi Hit Squad has returned in 2008 to the studio to record their long overdue fourth album. They are launching the careers of bright young British Asian talent and have made a massive cultural impact by becoming the voice of British Asian Music. Award winning Radio personalities, DJ’s and sought after producers Panjabi Hit Squad will continue to be the ambassadors of Desi Beats & BollyHood.
Catch Panjabi Hit Squad ’Desi Beats’ on BBC 1XTRA
Thursday Night 10pm-12am(GMT)
www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra
Also BBC Asian Network on Saturday Afternoon from 5-8pm (GMT)
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