While Masaeb and Richard battle it out to be the official self-proclaimed 'Mr Exclusive' of Desitunes4u, I, DJ Dev, dug around for some more controversy. After all, we all know who asks the questions that really matter. So, who would be next on my hitlist? Well, when PMC put on his site to let him know if anyone was claiming credit for his tracks, we all knew he was referring to the Kray Twinz. So I caught up with them to set the record straight, and talk about their current projects.
DJ Dev: For all the ignorant people out there, give us a breakdown of who the Kray Twinz are!
Jat: Lol, Okay the Kray Twinz have been around for around ten years working the club scene and making beats, some of the people know us as the co-producers of Panjabi mc's Legalised and Switchin. Others will know us for our live dj sets blowing up clubs around the world.
DJ Dev: Cool, a lot has been made of your work with PMC, and there was much controversy at the time of his breakthrough into the mainstream. What material of his were you actually involved in?
Jat: Okay I don't like to touch on this conversation too much, but let's get it clear. We were involved with the albums Legalised and Switchin, and the smash hit track Mundian Tu Bach Ke which we never saw any recognition for.
DJ Dev: I know you don't really want to talk about it much - cos that's all in the past - but if you had to put a percentage mark on your involvement on the Mundian Tu Bach Ke track - what would it be in the region of?
Jat: Well you could never put a percentage on it as I might think my involvement to the track is what made it; Panjabi MC might think what he did might be the part, which made the track. All I know is the track would not be the way it is if we didn't have our involvement in there. You have to see something how when we came on to the production stages with Panjabi MC - how his sound changed, look at Switchin that was way ahead of its time, we put Asian garage on the map, look at G.T. road a non vocal track but when ever you drop that it smashes. You're a DJ you tell me do you agree?
DJ Dev: Yeah man, when I used to sneak that into garage sets the MC's used to go nuts for it. This is proper MC's I'm talkin about - not your Mickey Mouse Asian ones.
DJ Dev: I commonly used to see you named in the credits for PMC's albums, and I take it that it was the lack of credit he gave you when the single came out is what you are upset about - Was there any reason for this - I mean was there any harsh verbal exchanges between you lot?
Jat: NO not at all, I mean if you type into a search engine 'Kray Twinz' with a S not a Z (i.e. 'Kray Twins') and 'Panjabi MC' you will see we got credited for it as the producers. We still til this day don't know why we weren't credited for the UK and US release, as the Europe release credits us as producers. By the way the true way to spell our name now is Kray Twinz with a Z.
DJ Dev: Cool, cool - anyway let's move on, What have you been up to more recently? I mean was it true you guys were in the Marc Ronson video?
Jat: Yeah we were while we were in L.A. recording with truth hurts and pharcyde we were asked to be in the video as a cameo.
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DJ Dev: Nice, I think that was important, cos you guys represented, while a lot of people are going around saying Sikhs can't make it in the mainstream with their turbans, cos the mainstream won't accept that.
Jat: Well, we are rocking shows. Within the last 12 months we have supported Sean Paul, Mr Vegas, Ce'cil, 112, Fat Man Scoop, Eric sermon, Red Man, Method Man, Kelis in concert and that's just a few names, the list goes on. We have also got a remix out |
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Kray Twinz with Fat Man Scoop |
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of a track called 'Why' by Jadakiss and the track is doing well. It's gettin a lot of airplay and club play. |
DJ Dev: Yeah, tell us a little more about the track - I mean vocally the original is dope - and you guys have done something way different with it.
Jat: Yeah well what we have done is got this vocalist called Ryan to do a chorus lick in Tamil, as we thought every one has done the Hindi and bhangra thing so we gave it a Tamil twist and the guy who is singing it is a non Asian singer.
DJ Dev: So a Non Asian is singing Tamil lyrics? Who is this singer? Where did you guys get the Tamil lyrics?
Jat: Well his name is Ryan but I'll let you work out how many singers called Ryan are out there, the lyrics are from a transcript I think, I mean that was recorded in New York. As we were on the road at the time, and the vocalist got someone up there to write a chorus for him.
DJ Dev: So Ryan actually sang the Tamil lyrics?
Jat: Yep
DJ Dev: Was it hard for him to get all the pronunciation right?
Jat: Not really, I mean it's a talent we have to make music, and the right music I hope and when you know what you want from a track its easy to put together especially when you produce it yourself, and not go to some studio in Birmingham to get your music done, and then put on there produced by blah blah blah. When really you haven't done anything except drive to Birmingham.
DJ Dev: Ha Ha - I'm guessing you're not gonna name names?!?
Jat: How many names shall i mention? The list is too long but hey don't watch that, people aren't stupid they know who is fake.
DJ Dev: True True - So that remix for Jadakiss - are we going to see it as a remix on the single? Or is it going to remain a bootleg?
Jat: Let's see - there is a lot of politics involved in it at the moment, so let's see. All we know is that we have created a hype track and someone is watching the talk it's created, and hopefully it gets picked up.
DJ Dev: Yeah, good luck with that. So what else you two been up to?
Jat: We got this track we have done with Mr Vegas, which shall be out on white label in a few weeks. We have also just recently completed the music composition to a series on ITV at 4:30 Friday's called MY LIFE AS A POPAT and now we will be touring as a support act for Cassidy.
DJ Dev: All right, so lot's going on at the moment. Sounds good! What's your current take on the bhangra industry?
Jat says: What shall I say the same it has been for the last 3 years. Standard. I don't think people are getting their moneys worth and that's not a personal opinion that's what Joe public is saying. It all sounds the same every one has the same sound and the same vocalists. I think the bhangra industry at the moment should be called Lember industry, cause his voice is on everything, just like Janjua was.
DJ Dev: Yeah, I've stated that in the past also - so are you guys going to do something about it or is your focus firmly on the mainstream at the moment?
Jat: We aren't no ones to change it bro, the people who call themselves the pioneers of bhangra should be doing that and we are just going to carry on making music and tying to start a standard. Our focus is to make good music and educating people how shows should be torn down!
DJ Dev: Seen - so there's no bhangra album in the pipeline?
Jat: Not yet bro, I might do a Lember track.
DJ Dev: Ha Ha, what's your view about all the desi bhangra labels?
Jat: What do you mean my view?
DJ Dev: What do you think about them? Would you sign to one?
Jat: They are doing the same as usual - putting out 3 albums a week from every dj and bedroom producer they can find, with cheap videos which are so fu**ing annoying, and you know which ones the cheap videos are.
DJ Dev: Yeah, I'd say that plays a big part in the scene not moving forward - the fact that the labels are willing to release sub-standard material.
Jat: Thank you, you said it!
DJ Dev: Do you think the mainstreams current fascination with Asian related beats is something that will last for much longer?
Jat: I hope so but I doubt it, cause the album sales show you that ain't going to happen. We as the Krayz have a lot to offer and will be showcasing very soon but let me say we are not doing full on Asian stuff.
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DJ Dev: Are you guys just going to be relying on the Asian influenced beats, or you coming out with something more original?
Jat: Our stuff is very different it has a slight Asian twist to it. Asian influenced beats! Well I don't hear any Asian beats with any clout, so until then wait for what we have to offer, we just don't do Asian stuff - our upbringing was in hip-hop, jazz, RnB and soul. Not bhangra but we made a hit with that didn't we. So what else are we capable off but I hate talking, let the music do the talking. |
DJ Dev: Well that's the best way - a lot of artists talk the talk; but it doesn't seem many are able to walk the walk.
Jat: Exactly you never know what can happen. We may not be around tomorrow so don't say things you can't deliver.
DJ Dev: You've played probably all around the world - Where would you say you're best crowd has been?
Jat: UK I love playing here.
DJ Dev: and the worst???
Jat: I ain't got a worst just very relaxed places, UK know how to party
DJ Dev: Most definitely - so who you guys feeling mainstream wise at the moment?
Jat: Fat Joe, I can name names all day long there is big tracks in the mainstream right now, but that's what Asians need to see we are not competing against one another we are competing with the big players now, and if we want the Asian sound to be appreciated we need to step up in to the big world, on a different class altogether.
DJ Dev: Yeah - it seems a few too many peeps are relying on jus being Asian to shift units in the mainstream.
Jat: Your colour isn't going to get you anywhere; your musical talents are.
DJ Dev: True say - so is there much more we can expect from the Krayz in the future?
Jat: Most definitely and if we break it then great; if not we can never be dissed to say we made shit music or jumped on the bandwagon and anyway we have already broke through? Remember Panjabi MC.
DJ Dev: Cool, Any final words for the millions of Desitunes4u readers?
Jat: Yeah vote for this site [www.desitunes4u.com] the UK AMA's but the winner has probably already been decided I bet.
DJ Dev: Ha Ha - cheers man - nuff respect to Jat Kray, and we wish them all the best with their on-going projects.
That ends the interview, firstly a big thanks to the Kray Twinz for taking some time out to chat to us. Some big things to come from them so keep your eyes and ears open for the Kray Twinz. |
