Recently, DJ Dev had the pleasure of interviewing Blitzkrieg of 22k. They are ready to take the desi scene by storm with their unique style. They are from Toronto, Canada and have been around for a while now but are ready to make the bigtime now.
DJ Dev: Who exactly are Asian Empire and 22k?
Asian Empire Records is an independently owned recording company, which displays urban South Asian talent. Asian Empire is not only a company but also a movement, which is dedicated on helping South Asian artist get the respect they deserve. 22k are a network composed of 3 South Asian urban businesses: Asian Empire/ Hustle Beats & Kalrap.
DJ Dev: So do you guys have like a group name - music wise?
Well when we are all performing together we are 22k, but there are smaller groups within the network. Blitzkrieg & MD are Asian Empire. However we are all individual artists as well.
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DJ Dev: Where did you get the name 22k?
22k are derived from Indian gold. If you have noticed all Indian gold are 22k. Also 22k are the purest element of gold you can get without being fragile.
DJ Dev: And your name Blitzkrieg - how did you get that?
My crew named me Blitzkrieg. In Toronto it's a very multicultural environment. So at a young age you end up hanging out wit crews and getting into trouble. And a lot of people |
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get nicknames on the street. I was named Blitzkrieg because it's a German history term for "lightning warfare" a war strategy used in World War 2. And my rhyming style is similar it's all out and unpredictable. |
DJ Dev: How long have you guys been around?
Well I have been making music since I was 18 (around 3 yrs). I have had an underground following in Toronto for a few years now. 22k was established when me, MD and Da-coz decided to create a network of South Asian urban artists over a year ago. August 17 2002 was officially the start of this network. This was also the day we opened for Apache at bash on the beach in Toronto.
DJ Dev: What was it like opening for Apache Indian?
Opening for Apache was something I'll never forget. It was the first time we all performed together and we totally hyped up the show. By the end of our set, half of the crowd was on the stage drinking and partying with us. His son "k" got the chance to chill with us and we recorded a few tracks with him, which will be on our upcoming album.
DJ Dev: Would you say it's the highlight of your career so far?
Haha no way, you're not even close. Since I started so many crazy things have happened I've lost count. It's weird when you start seeing yourself in newspapers and on websites and constantly being on the radio.
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DJ Dev: Have you guys brought much material out yet?
Ya, in the past year we have pushed out 6 albums. And that's not including the 2 albums I did before we created 22k. Right now we're on a roll, I guarantee we're unstoppable. We record at basixx studio, meaning we have access to the equipment 24/7. We already have enough material for 2 more albums
DJ Dev: The majority of peeps in the UK have only just heard of 22k thru Panjabi Hit Squad and the Bobby Friction and |
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Nihal shows. Although these shows are on BBC radio stations, they are aimed at Asians. Would you say you guys are targeting just Asians or are you guys going for the mainstream? |
The bottom line is we create Hip Hop. It's a bonus that we are Indian. In Toronto all sorts of races and cultures know us. The music speaks for itself, and at the same time we are opening doors for Indians. As we become more and more popular in the mainstream, the more doors will open for other Indians wanting to pursue the same path. At the end of the day I'm a Hip Hop artist and you can expect to hear me on your radio or see me on your main TV stations not just the Indian ones. There are no boundaries for us, we going all the way and representing India as we do it.
DJ Dev: Now I remember hearing you a few years back on one of PMC's radio shows. Have you got any plans to work with the man of the moment in the near future, cos he was well up for it back then.
I respect Panjabi MC; he's helping open doors for people like us. He was all for it, I haven't had the chance to talk to him since. But if anybody is reading this, and they know PMC, tell him to get in touch wit me. I think it would be a good move for him, to bring out his own Indian artist with skills that can compete with anyone out there.
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DJ Dev: I understand the single 'Many Many' is gonna be due for mainstream release. It was produced by Sound theory wasn't it? Tell us a little about this producer?
Sound theory is a producer from California USA. We basically got in contact with each other over the Internet and he sent me an unfinished beat. We put the song together within half an hour and sent it back to him the next day. Panjabi Hit Squad has been working on the remix and as soon as it's done hopefully a major will pick it up and we can push it. |
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DJ Dev: So no idea about a release dates yet?
Well not rite now. Basically as soon as Panjabi Hit Squad have finished remixing it, a.s.a.p. And as soon as that happens, watch out! We have so much material coming your way it's unbelievable. We're gonna hit ya with "Indians strike back 1" which was already released in Canada, but we gonna push it in the uk, the strike back volume 2 right after, the 22k dvd, Asian empires album, the blitzkrieg solo, the md solo, the hustlebeats compilation, kalraps solo - it goes on and on.
DJ Dev: Which producer would you most like to work with?
Well right now Hip Hop wise I would luv to work with Premier, Neptunes or Havoc from Mobb Deep. In terms of Indian producers I'm looking forward to workin with PMC, Hit Squad and maybe Rishi Rich…and of course DJ Dev hahaha.
DJ Dev: So, do you guys have a record deal?
We have our own record company. Asian Empire is a record company which I own and features artists such as me (Blitz) and MD. 22k are a network and also a group, which features all 4 of us. We are looking for a distribution deal. Kinda like with Rocafella has with Def Jam u know? We record the CD's, design them, promote them and now we jus need someone to put them into the main stores and pay us.
DJ Dev: Yeah I hear ya. In the UK, we do have a strong Bhangra scene compared with North America. However, you guys seem to have a much stronger South Asian Hip Hop scene. Can you tell us what that scene is like?
Like I said before, it's a multicultural city so it's very diverse. The underground Hip Hop scene is huge in t-dot, but unfortunately the labels are often hesitant to sign artists here. This is the reason Canadian artists often go to Europe or the States for their careers. It's kinda sad if you think about it. We have all this talent and the corporate peeps don't realize the profit potential in the urban scene
DJ Dev: All Asian musicians seem to be reaping the rewards of the use of desi samples by the likes of Timbaland and Dre. How important do you think their use of these samples has been?
It's been a big help; because it has help us gain recognition for our culture worldwide. The sad part about it is that many Asian artists and producers have been doin this for years without recognition. The music industry is all politics. They can sample our beats but refuse to sign our people - its bullshit!
DJ Dev: Would you agree there is the danger of TOO many average artists now getting the chance, just because they are Asian?
No not at all, because these averages want to be artists will always remain in Indian grocery stores. Music always speaks for itself. If its shit then it's going to show. Anyone who is in the scene already knows who's buzzin in the underground. The real talent will be the ones being in the mainstream
DJ Dev: I also notice you guys have got your own clothing line - like Wu-tang and Puffy do. How's that going?
Haha, that's just starting out. The clothing on our site is just in the beginning stages. We plan to really concentrate on it after we hit the mainstream. We're going to make clothing, which is geared towards all the thugged out Indians out there.
DJ Dev: Remember to send sum my way when it's in full production bro.
Always, I never forget people who help, and I never burn bridges, because the same people you see going up, are the same peeps you gonna see on your way down.
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DJ Dev: For real, so whom do you aspire to - both lyrically and professionally?
Well I don't aspire to be like anyone, but I am inspired by many. Lyrically I'm inspired and motivated by real MC's such as Nas, and Mos Def, Big L, Trajedy Khadafi etc...These artists put heart into their music. Of course you can't forget Canibus. On a business tip, I'm inspired by entrepreneurs such as Russell Simmons, Vince McMahon etc... These guys are marketing geniuses.
DJ Dev: Would it be fair to say you'd like |
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to be the brown Eminem - as in he didn't really have many white rappers to look up to.
Nah, I dont wanna be the brown Eminem, I jus wanna be me. But in terms of how he opened doors for white artists and gave them something to look up to, we are tryin to do that for the desi community. |
DJ Dev: Cool, any final words for the Desitunes4u readers?
I would just like to thank everyone for the support and remind all the desi's to support Indian talent to the fullest, the bigger we become the more doors we open for other desis in the scene. Be sure to check out our sites: www.twenty2k.com & www.asianempire.ca. I guarantee you will hear more from us in the future. Request our songs and spread the word. Asian Empire - "the Indian revolution has arrived."
That conclude the interview, firstly a big thanks to Blitzkrieg for doin the interview. Don't forget to contact them if you want them for anything at all! All their details are on their sites so make sure you check them out, innit! |
