Recently, DJ Dev had the pleasure of interviewing one of the best up and coming stars on the desi music scene at the moment, namely 'Bikram Singh.' He is the man behind the vocals for the re-lick of Nachna by Tigerstyle which is due to be released soon. He is from the NYC, USA and working hard on his own album.

DJ Dev: Would you like to introduce yourself as a lot of people will not have heard of you yet.

Bikram: My name Bikram Singh and I am from NYC, USA. I write and sing bhangra songs.

DJ Dev: Well we (in the UK) have been introduced to you thru Tigerstyle - how did the whole hook up with Tigerstyle take place? Bikram: They checked out my site last year, loved the demo tracks that I had on the site. They contacted me and we talked on the phone for a while. From then on we got to know each other well and had a better understanding on the music we were making. They were really happy to see someone writing their own material, and knowing some aspects of production as well, from then it just took off.

Bikram In Scotland

DJ Dev: Now Nachna is by no means the 1st track you've done. How long have you been into making your own music? What other tracks have you done?

Bikram: I've been doing music for about 5 years now, writing for about 5-7 years. In the beginning there wasn't anyone helping me with producing my demo, so I kinda had to do it all by myself. I was writing, singing, and learning production at the same time.

DJ Dev: So you produce some of your own material yourself as well?

Bikram: There is a whole list of tracks on my website www.bikramsingh.com that I've produced myself. Some of them have been with the help my really good friend Navdeep, who has been helping me for a long time now. Right now, I'm not concentrating on production, but rather more on writing and singing.

Bikram at Club Insomnia

DJ Dev: Listening to some of the tunes on your website, there seems to be a whole host of different musical styles on there. What would you say is your favourite type of style? Bikram: I've been influenced by many different genres, underground hip-hop, dnb, commercial Punjabi pop, and heavy traditional bhangra. So when you hear some of my track it's all reflected in the music. I incorporate bhangra with hip-hop, and that's my favourite type of style.

DJ Dev: As you said, you're from the states, we hear a lot about the scene overseas here in the UK, but we get to hear more about what it's like in Canada rather than the US. What's the scene like there?

Bikram: This scene has been dominated by Hindi remixes, there aren't any original bhangra acts representing original sound. This will continue as long as bollywood is making Hindi films.

DJ Dev: Well thats gonna be for a long time yet - hasn't the release of 'Beware of the Boys' helped raise the profile of bhangra music?

Bikram: Absolutely, this explosion definitely helped bhangra music as a whole, not only it exposed this particular form of music but also its origin. Now more and more dj's/producers are working on hip hop/ bhangra beats and looking for Punjabi vocalists. Some of the dj's that have been in this scene for a long time now realize that the only way they will be recognized is by producing. So they are moving toward production and constantly looking for new vocalists and producers to work with.

DJ Dev: Nachna is obviously a cover version, the original being sung by Kaka, but I understand you write a lot of your own lyrics?

Bikram: Yeah I do write my own lyrics and construct my own compositions. Nachna is being considered for a mainstream release, so Tigerstyle has asked me to re-sing it. Allowing them to have a legit product for the labels to market.

DJ Dev: Where do you get inspiration from when thinking of lyrics? Bikram: I take a trip back home, meaning Punjab. I isolate myself from everything that is around me at that moment. I imagine myself being at a particular place or time. DJ Dev: Punjab is actually home for you isn't it. You were born in the Punjab if I'm correct? Bikram:Yeah I was born in Punjab, I moved here at a very young age. I have been back many times to take vocal lessons and to travel.

Bikram at Club Roxy

DJ Dev:Well it's good to see some originality when it comes to lyrics. I think a recurring problem in the industry at the moment is the lack of pure original songs. What are your views?

Bikram: Definitely, more and more people need to concentrate on originality and not sampling. Especially at a time like this, when our music is being recognized at a very large scale. We need more writers, musicians, and producers who understand music to a great extent. Sampling is cool, but what if the track hits mainstream then you have a problem sorting out legal issues involved to get a legitimate release.

DJ Dev: So, an album is in the pipeline I hear, and I understand Tigerstyle will be involved in the production of it?

Bikram: Yeah Tigerstyle will be doing most of the production. There will be couple of tracks produced by DJ Navdeep who is a south-asian underground music producer.

DJ Dev: Are you actually signed to any label yet? When do you expect the album to be finished?

Bikram: I've been approached by many well known labels. The problem is that they have a standard deal for every newcomer, and the deal isn't that great. I don't view myself as a newcomer, although my album isn't out yet, but I still have a great following here in the states. I think I am worth more than what they had initially offered me. We're concentrating on the production of the album and it should be completed at the end of this year and then we'll see which label to release it with.

DJ Dev: What kind of sound can we expect from the album?

Bikram: The album will have a very diverse sound. It will consist of heavy traditional bhangra, some chill, laid back tracks, bhangra/hip hop type of vibe, tracks from Navdeep will have more of a dnb, underground feel to them.

DJ Dev: You've also been signed up to do a song for a soundtrack - tell us a little more about this.

Bikram: This happened when I performed at bhangra blowout in 2001, some of the people who were involved in the production of the film saw me perform and asked me if I was interested in doing a track for an independent film, which is called "where's the party yaar" so they've picked up one of my tracks that I've produced with DJ Navdeep.

Bikram Singh

DJ Dev: So the tracks been produced already? Bikram: They have the track, and the movie should be coming out next month I think. DJ Dev: What kind of track is it? Bikram: Its a bouncy bhangra track, its more of a sampled base track, has a sample of the 'been' dhud, heavy dhol and some cool tumbi sounds.

DJ Dev: And the tracks called?

Bikram: The track is called' Aa-gayi'

DJ Dev: We'll be sure to look out for that one. So who would you say has been your biggest influence musically?

Bikram: I've been influenced by Kuldip Manak, Hans Raj Hans, Surinder Shinda, and a lot more. I grew up listening to these artists and up until now I still do. In the west, I've been influenced by the Wu-tang, Lost Boys, NWA, and Eminem. Bobby digital is still my favourite.

DJ Dev: Okay, so have you anything else to add?

Bikram: Well there isn't really much to say, just watch out for the album. All of my experiences will be reflected in the music, and certainly a great album to look out for. Just keep it real and keep promoting the desi sounds.

That concludes the interview, firstly a big thanks to Bikram for taking some time out to do the interview. Keep your eyes open for all his tunes as they are gonna be coming real soon. As far record labels go, I think he could be a real success so to all the labels out their sign him now or you could regret it as he's a very talented guy. If you are interested in signing him up or would like to contact him directly then you can via his website.