Bhangra Now

Most contemporary bhangra lyrics are still composed by singers and songwriters in India. This, coupled with the mainstream success of the new bhangra beats, is causing concern within traditional bhangra circles where they claim the new bhangra beats have more to do with 'bling' than the social realism which Indian bhangra artists such as Gurdas Man are keeping up. I spoke to the Rishi Rich Project who are at the forefront of the new bhangra/ R&B/ hip-hop sound. All three - Jay Sean, Juggy D and Rishi Rich - were born and brought up in West London, and between them have brought different skills to the studio.

Juggy D sings in Punjabi and is the one whose musical background is firmly rooted in bhangra. Jay Sean is a rapper and R&B singer, and Rishi is a producer who, at 26 years old, has already secured his place on the remixing scene. The success of these young stars has led to a debate as to whether bhangra music is being watered down. I asked Juggy D if this is something he feels concerned about at all. "We don't try to change what we do, because it's what people want to hear. We make music that we want to make." Jay Sean, who is the lead singer of the band, reiterates: "Musically, lots of young Asians have grown up listening to R&B and hip-hop, including ourselves. I am an R&B artist. I am an Asian R&B artist."

Bobby Friction comes to the defence of this new generation: "Why should we put those dreams that we have for music and politics and culture on the shoulders of these young guys who've wanted to be pop stars since they were young. They don't want to be political revolutionaries..."