Sukhbir (musician)

Infobox Musical artist


Img_size = 150
Name = Sukhbir
Background = Bhangra singer
Birth_name = Sukhbir Singh
Alias = Prince of Bhangra
Origin = Jalandhar, Punjab
Born = 7/7/1969
Died =
Genre = Bhangra
Occupation = Singer
Years_active = 1995-present
Label = EMI
Associated_acts =
URL =

Sukhbir Singh (1969 -) is a Bhangra singer. He is often referred to as the "Prince of Bhangra" [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/22/stories/2003072200040100.htm Balle Sukhbir!] The Hindu - Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003] [http://www.vanillamusic.com/artists.htm Artist of the month - SUKHBIR] - Vanilla Music] . He is based out of Dubai and his Bhangra music varied from fusion to pure Punjabi at times.

Early life

He was born in Jalandhar, Punjab but moved to Nairobi, Kenya at the age of one and a half. His father Raghbir Singh was a gyaniji (priest) at the local Gurudwara. There, young Sukhbir honed his singing skills practicing kirtans on the harmonium. [http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2002/06/18/stories/2002061800250200.htm Pioneer in bhangra pop] The Hindu - Jun 18, 2002] This apprenticeship laid the groundwork for the musical side of his Bhangra career. His family spoke Punjabi at home, and his lyrical inspirations have also come from his childhood. [http://www.indianj.com/interviews/sukhbir.asp Q&A with Sukhbir] - IndianJ] He spent 20 years in Nairobi before returning to India. [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020326/ldh2.htm#4 Nachle sohniye, sings Sukhbir] The Tribune, Chandigarh - March 25, 2005] . In Nairobi, he was discovered by businessman Ketan Somaiyya, who suggested Sukhbir make a living with his music. Supported by his father, he began recording in 1996. He then moved to London for a year and a half, before moving to Dubai in 1994. [http://www.india-today.com/ttoday/031999/musos.html Home-grown sons of the soil] India Today - March 1999]

Music

His first album (New Stylee) was recorded in Dubai and had many foreign influences. Though he was nominated for many awards, at one point he was asked "Who's going to listen to this stuff in India?". The album though, was nominated for the 1996 Channel V Awards in three categories: Best Debut Album, Best Male Vocalist and Best Music Video (for "Punjabi Munde"). [http://www.ndtv.com/ent/musicprofiles.asp?id=15&language=hindi Sukhbir] - NDTV Music Profile] He can sing in nine languages, and his album "Oi Triesto" has many Spanish and Portuguese vocals and music.

Sukhbir's unique Bhangra is a fusion of Bhangra with rap, techno and reggae. The juxtaposition of these musical styles is enhanced by Sukhbir’s use of original Bhangra instruments like the dhol and dholak. In Oi Triesto, his music was complemented by Spanish and Portuguese rhythms, while he also uses instruments like: tablas, congos, guitars and keyboards in his music. [http://www.mtvindia.com/mtv/music/features/apna_artist_nov/ MTV's APNA ARTIST OF THE MONTH] - MTV India]

In the realm of Indian music, he cites Jagjit Singh as a big influence and said that if he wasn't doing Bhangra he would be a ghazal singer. He also stated that Daler Mehndi and Malkit Singh were his biggest competition in the Punjabi music market He has also collaborated with Pakistani musicians such as Shehzad Roy. He has also sung a song with a popular Indian singer Shaan. He sung the song Dil laga from Dhoom 2. He has also sung a song with Indian band Josh. When the tsunami occurred he sung a song with Jassi Sidhu, Shin, DCS and Taz, stereo nation. He is back to singing now and his new album is Tere naal nachna.

Discography

* "New Stylee" (1996)
* "Gal Ban Gayee"' (1997)
* "Hai Energy" (1999)
* "Prince of Bhangra Volume 1" (2000)
* "Oi! Triesto"'
* "Dil Kare"
* "Sukhbir - Greatest Hits"'
* " Tere naal nachna"' (2008)

Family

He is based out of Dubai with his wife Dimpy. /> He has one brother in London and two brothers in India.

References

External links

* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/1998/98sep18/art-trib.htm#1 Third time lucky Sukhbir] The Tribune - September 18, 1998
* [http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/music/20010419-0.html Sukhbir sings a song for India’s beauty queens] Apunkachoice - April 19, 2001
* [http://www.apunkachoice.com/scoop/bollywood/20010703-0.html Sukhbir: Still jiving it up] ApunkaChoice - July 3, 2001
* [http://www.desimusic.com/songs/singer/1838/sukhbir.html List of Songs featuring Sukhbir] - Desimusic.com