Now all the guys in the desitunes4u office say it's not fair that I, Mr Exclusive get all the big names. Well it's not my fault I got a nose for these things guys! But as you'll find out, I have taken the rough with the smooth too you know. Have you ever seen the video for Put Sardaran de? Well last night, for me that video became a reality. Since we did Metz and Trix, me (Masaeb) and Irfan "Da Boss" have been trying to get hold of RDB for their views on what went down. I told Irfan I was on it, and just when I thought the trail had gone cold, just like in the video, as I walk past the Untouchables music shop, sledge appears from no where, and throws me into the trunk of his 3 series, and takes me off to a secret location to get the exclusive views of the Unstoppable (pun intended) RDB, here's what went down!
Masaeb: Before we get down to the nitty gritty lads, just quickly tell us what you've been up to at the moment, I hear you were touring lately, in particular, Malaysia, Kenya, North America and of course Pakistan, what kind of experience was that like? In particular what were the fans like in Pakistan?
Kuly(RDB): Damn, the amount of flying we've been doin is jus plain stupid ya know :) Well, Surj jus came back from a massive dedicated RDB show in Dubai, Manj has been runnin tings over on the USA and North America circuit, whilst I have just returned from the largest South East Asia tour known to man! The Dubai show sold out 4 days before the event, the USA shows have now created a demand so big, that Manj is doing his second 2 month long RDB Tour again this year, touring roughly 10 - 12 states, and the South East Asia tour had me performing to crowds of 600+ in Singapore, Manila (The Philippines), Bangkok (Thailand) and Kuala Lumphar (Malaysia). Apart from all that, we also did the largest single most hyped RDB outdoor show to date in Lahore (Pakistan) where we span and sang to a sea of over 6000 screaming fans (plus the other 2000 outside tryin to get in). Every single international show we have done over the past 6 to 8 months has not only sold out, but also shocked and rocked the city it was held, trust me the videos and pictures will be up on the sites soon.
Masaeb: Pakistan holds a lot of Punjabi and in particular Sikh pilgrimage sites; did you manage to see any of it?
Kuly(RDB): Yeah, ideally we really wanted to go to Panja Sahib Gurdwara, but with our tight schedule, it was impossible to travel the 4 or 5 hours drive there. We did however pay our respects at Nanakna Sahib in the early ours of the morning before our show which is something we will remember forever it's such an amazing place.
|
Masaeb: Before the interview, I was looking at the inlay cover of Sounds Of The North, there seems to be more and more if you in the crew each week, you're Bhangra's "so solid crew" I guess, how many of you in the camp now?
Kuly(RDB): Lol, there's always only been the 3 brothers and then our friends have helped us along the way, in the form of amazing dholis, designers, |
|
|
photographers, mc's etc but generally speaking, everybody has been developed individually to form their own identities, flavours and style. So I suppose RDB is back to jus me, Surj and Manj. |
Masaeb: The Unstoppable album was your second album, after super smash debut and EP Sounds Of The North, how far do you feel you have come since you absolutely smashed it on the scene in 2000, what have been the highpoints and low points since you started out?
Kuly(RDB): We started out as three young unknown kids from Yorkshire making music which we loved, enjoyed to play and create and listen to and since those days, a lot as has changed in terms of our marketing, promotion etc, but that underlying principle is still there and we believe will remain the foundation of our success. Highlights are absolutely impossible to comment over since then, we have literally span in every major country in the world dj'ed to crowds of thousands and met so many amazing people on the way. Low points …hmm… are you crazy? We livin it mate! The good life, there are no low points!
Masaeb: You have made a lot of compilation albums along with your own solo projects, is this something we will continue to see, i.e. nurturing other artists or are you going to concentrate on your own careers now?
Kuly(RDB): We have always believed from day one that there is an amazing amount of UK home grown talent, I mean we do get sum bloopers as well, but we have none the less met a multitude of amazing singers / mc's / rappers and producers along the way. The compilation albums are not only to establish these new faces but also to promote them to bigger things. We pride ourselves on taking in people; nurturing them and watchin them grow.
Masaeb: UK desi music videos are famous for being very one dimensional, i.e. 3 series beamers and a few girls sprinkled here and there. With the video of Put Sardaran De, you kind of broke away from that stereo type, but kinda went back to it for Dil Karda, considering that you actually produce your own videos, what do you think of desi videos at the moment, do you think we will ever break away from these stereo types?
Kuly(RDB): There are some really good music directors out there who pride themselves of knowing the art of video making then there are those pindoos who jus grab a camcorder and do a quick freshie job, lol. Either way there is jus one simple problem, money! If everybody had a decent budget for there video, we could all be enjoying MTV videos on our beloved ZEE and B4U problem is, that the money in this industry is difficult enough to make without spending most of it on a video. So, when and only when record labels acknowledge that money SHOULD be invested in videos, we will see a change of styles. Still though, ya still need an original creative idea, better get ya thinking caps on peeps!
|
|
Masaeb: In the Unstoppable medley video, there is a scene where the RDB boys check out a lady in a club, which upsets her, she then goes to the ladies washroom, and complains to two other girls about this, she goes on to say "who do they think they are?" the girls reply "Er, RDB!" and attack her. What were you trying to portray there? No doubt you are ground breaking artists, was that a show of arrogance that you are at the top, you clearly, and many would say, rightly so, rate your selves? |
| |
|
Kuly(RDB): Lol, nah mate, nuttin of the kind! RDB can be called a lot of things, but arrogant we aren't, anybody who knows us, knows we are jus the same blokes we were before we began RDB. That entire scene was the FIRST EVER scripted dialogue used within a bhangra music video. Again, we pride ourselves on trying new pioneering new styles and techniques that entire scene was for comedy value only. We jus thought it would be propa funny. It worked out kinda ok lol, cos like 3 mins later she's back inside dancing again! |
Masaeb: There seems to be so many MC's in the scene at the moment, you seem to find them like Pakistan find fast bowlers, who do you think is head and shoulders above the rest? Do you think they will always be a part of the Bhangra scene?
Kuly(RDB): There are loads of MC's we rate and a few we don't lol but generally speaking anybody who has released anything with us is good such as E=MC, GI Jatt, Riddam, Lightnin, Sniper, Ripper, Jeepers. These are some names you know and love others are yet to surprise you. Bhangra music is an amazing blend of lots of styles so as long as people enjoy good music of course mc's will be part of it.
Masaeb: You're good buddies, just kidding, Metz and Trix claim they kicked off the whole "getting desi music into the mainstream" with PMC, what do you think of this statement, do you have any plans to release a mainstream album or single, considering PMC had so much success with an old skool track like 'Mundian To Bach Ke', do you think one of your older tracks like Put Sardaran De could so the same, or is it going to be something totally new?
Kuly(RDB): They said what? Lol, it's hard to believe anything they say….hmmm so they began desi music in mainstream… strange, I must have been out to lunch that day. I don't remember mars and twix collaborating with pmc on *anything* lol. PSD for mainstream? Hmm, maybe... maybe… you'll just have to wait and see :)
|
Masaeb: Are we in the mainstream to stay, or is it a flash in the pan?
Kuly(RDB): Bhangra is here and the mainstream knows that now; them suits can't ignore us forever!
Masaeb: I hear you are going to be working in Bollywood soon, is that going to be in a off screen musical role, or you are planning to follow in the footsteps of the other stars like the Spice Girls (joke) and make, RDB, the movie?
Kuly(RDB): Lol, I like the idea but probably not :)… nah we working on producing a few tracks on the next big bollywood film starring Sanjay Dutt and the main man himself Amitabh Bachan. We'll have more about this on our site later yea, lol. |
|
Masaeb: Where do you see the Bhangra vibe going at the moment, there seems to more and more RnB and hip-hop influence?
Kuly(RDB): Hip-hop and RnB is in but then again so is reggae then bashment, dancehall and house. It's a wheel my friend, bhangra is bhangra. Its desi and grimy and that's why we love it. But with the mainstream influence, it could bend any way.
Masaeb: What kind of music are you guys feeling right now, what's constantly on repeat on your car stereo systems?
Kuly(RDB): Jus Galaxy Radio, it's a wicked source of musical styles and creative ideas, lol.
Masaeb: What artists do you admire, and would like to work with?
Kuly(RDB): We admire all the top dogs, the guys/girls who keep changing the face of bhangra. Hmm and who would we like to work with? I don't know, quite a lot of peeps really and they know who they are!
|
Masaeb: I hear that you have your own radio show lined up, along with the Shanti Collective, what's that saying?
Kuly(RDB): Yeah man, it's official RDB and Manga is now on EVERY SATURDAY from 3-5am (Sunday morning) |
|
|
especially for all them ravers coming home. RDB and Manga together are featuring the biggest dub plates and hot cuts from our own and other producer's dj boxes. All the exclusives, all the tracks and all the music! On the nations favourite for Dance and RnB. Galaxy (www.galaxy105.co.uk) ya can even tune in thru the net at www.galaxyfm.co.uk, check it. |
Masaeb: You've occasionally used samples, for example on 'Balle Balle' from Sounds Of The North, what do you think about artists using samples? Do you thinks it's 'cool' or something that Asian producers should move away from?
Kuly(RDB): We always talk about this and as before if the track sounds SICK then run wid it. But if it's done badly, allow it man. Let the music-buying club going public decide!
Masaeb: Mp3 Downloads!! Untouchables were probably the first label to get on top of it for their stuff by removing sites hosting them! Do you they have been an important factor in promoting the RDB name to enable you to do the tours you have done, as mentioned earlier? What do you think about downloading tracks from the net? Is it killing the industry?
Kuly(RDB): Downloading is a double-sided knife. You really can't win especially us artists and producers. Of course we dont want people downloading if they can buy the original CD's but I think that's the key. If you can buy the music, from a shop or online then do so. If you live in the outer Mongolian Forests and can't buy original music then sure download it, lol!
|
|
Masaeb: You feel strongly towards bootlegging as you dedicated an interlude on the 'Unstoppable' album to the issue. How serious is bootlegging an issue on the desi scene?
Kuly(RDB): Bootleggers are complete b**tards! They don't make the music, they don't own it, they are not allowed to sell it but still they go and try to take our work and flog it bottom line DON'T BUY IT!!! Trust me most of the bootleggers use low grade cds and copying methods which mean your bootleg cd will scratch faster and last about 2 weeks! Just put in a couple more quid and get the original at least it will last you much much longer! |
Masaeb: OK it's fun time as they say, it's the one we have been waiting for word association!!!!!! You know the rules, try to give an answer in one word to the following, one sentence max! : -
a) Surinder Rattan
The Lick
b) Bally Sagoo
Bigtime
|
c) Panjabi MC
Doin amazing, jus waiting for the next one.
d) Overpriced EP's
They are not sellin, learn you record labels!
e) Ms Scandalous
Hai Hai |
 |
|
Panjabi Mc - What's Next? |
|
|
f) Panjabi Hit Squad
Badboy Radio Dj's
g) Gubi Sandhu
The Original Young Superstar
h) Adil Ray
Joka
|
i) Missy D (Club Asia)
Propa Safe, Boo CLUBASIA
j) Moviebox
Hows things lads?
k) Illegal Demo
Sick producers |
|
l) Mehsopuria
Geezer, where's ya pag in all your videos ?????
m) Mc Metz
Hows them kids birthday parties paying? gud? 123, ABC, guess what its Metz Mc (Mars).
n) Trix Mc
Trixo Trixo (Twix), are you still runnin the show, or did you have to go, where are you though :)
Masaeb: Moving on, you've played absolutely all over the world, where was the best crowd you've ever played in front of? Why was it so good?
Kuly(RDB): I loved Bangkok as the crowd of about 800 peeps were jus HECTIC, loved it, Surj's was Millennium dome with 18,000 people!!! Back to back with Public Enemy! Check the site and Manj loved Lahore, 6000 hard RDB fans giving it everything they had an amazing night.
Masaeb: Put Sardaran De was voted the greatest song of all time by Club Asia fans, how does that make you feel?
Kuly(RDB): Happy to see that fans supported us yet again and keep on propelling us to higher heights!
|
Masaeb: Your album, Unstoppable, was rated as the 5th best album of 2003 by 'da crew' at desitunes4u! How does that make you feel?
Kuly(RDB): Very impressed, because we know how many different albums you gotta go through as there are a lot of talented producers out there so glad to be up there with um. |
|
Masaeb: What do you think was your best track to date?
Kuly(RDB): We haven't created it yet; our best track is yet to come!
Masaeb: What can we look forward to from you in the up and coming months? Basically, what's next for you, what are your goals in this industry?
Kuly(RDB): Mainstream project, bollywood music, a MASSSSIVE launch in our motherland INDIA, tours, gigs and shows ALL over the world so keep it locked.
Masaeb: If you weren't making music, what would you guys be doing? How is life now that you a worldwide house hold name?
Kuly(RDB): I'd probably be working in sum Computer Company; all suited and booted, 50k job, 2 beamers and pension, what's changed? Nuttin mate, we still the same bunch o jokers! Always will be :)
Masaeb: Finally any message to the multicultural international desitunes4u crew?
Kuly(RDB): To the crew, big up ya selves, ya fruits have paid off and you got a sick site with the best content I seen for a long time. For the visitors you got it locked this is the only place for the exclusives and you know it that's why you are here, peace to all.
Masaeb: That concludes the interview, NOT! You didn't think I'd let you go before asking you the questions everyone's wanted to ask! We recently interviewed Metz and Trix, they had a lot to say about you guys and Untouchables, saying they "had been had" and you were "doing shady business". What's you side of the story, how did the untouchables label start out, why oh why did they leave a group that has given them such success, and finally do you, like E=MC have any message for them?
Kuly(RDB): Well, I could either (A) pretend to care and be bitter or (B) just lay down ma truth. So am going to go with (B). They were dropped from the label cos they were getting too greedy, simple, if you work, you get paid and if you don't, ya don't ya gets me. Also, a lot of the newer mc's we were working with were just simply better with better lyrics and flows. The public knows this anyway. Since then, they have been doin nuttin (as far as I know and now we are ALL eagerly awaiting their album. The comments they made during their interview is, as many clever people of the public already know, a publicity stunt to get there name back into the bhangra business, kinda obvious though guys, never mind, anyways our message to them is good luck wiv ya album, hope it's a hit (since even the public know that RDB has made EVERY HIT you had!) lol, so good luck without us!
That concludes the interview, a big thanks to Kuly of RDB for taking some time to chat to us! If you want to e-mail him yourself then you can at info@rdbdjs.com now. Make sure you check out their site as you has just about everything you could want on it including the ability to book the trio if you want to! |
