Home > Entertainment > Music in India > Punjabi MC
Punjabi MC
Punjabi MC is a pop singer of Indian origin who has established a distinct position for himself in the world of music. He is originally known as Rajinder Singh Rai.

Share this Article:

Punjabi MC, Indian Pop Singer Punjabi MC was born with the original name Rajinder Singh Rai in the year 1971 at Coventry, England. He is very popular for his attempt to promote Asian/rap/dance fusion. Rajinder Singh Rai got his stage name from the very first fans who called him an Indian MC. And as he uses Punjabi Language in the music that he played and rapped, he decided to take the name Punjabi MC. He was first noticed by Ninder Johal of Nachural Records abiding by a remix of Kuldeep Manak`s "Ghariah Milan De".

Career in Music for Punjabi MC
Once he was successful in creating a bang with his opening remix songs, his next song released was Mundian To Bach Ke ("Beware of the Boys"); it was a successful one. The song was first published in the year 1998, in the album Legalised. Mundian To Bach Ke amalgamated the theme music of the TV series Knight Rider with bhangra. Later on it became a major hit in Germany and wider Europe, including the UK as it was picked up by German record company Superstar Recordings.

Punjabi MC has received training under Izzatpreet Singh Sandhu, who has been a continuous pillar of support behind him. With his encouragement, MC attempted to start a new music industry named after him. In the year 2003, this song featured on American rapper Jay-Z named "Beware of the Boys". As `Top of the Pops`, he has also been seen on TV shows and from then onwards the video of `Mundian To Bach Ke` began to flash on music channels all around the globe.

Punjabi MC, Indian Pop Singer When he was asked about hip-hop music and Indian music, he said, "One of my main goals is to fuse the two worlds. I would love to link everybody up, for sure." For instance, much hype was created over his early singles. And this in particular helped him to get his music to be noticed. The songs were telecasted by BBC in the show that was dedicated to British-Asian music. The programme started in the year 2002 and continues till today titled the `Punjabi Hit Squad`. His "Mundian To Bach Ke" remix with Jay-Z for certain introduced the sound to the most global market it had ever accomplished. Even today Punjabi MC continues to bring forth music as a collaborator and as a remixer.

Punjabi MC in his album "Desi" uses the vocal samples from Ofra Haza`s "Im Nin` Alu". Before Afrika Bambaataa recorded "Indian Planet Rock", he also used "Planet Rock" ("Pyar Wich (Planet Rock Remix)" on Legalised. MC uses the theme music from the TV show Magnum, P.I. on "Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee". "Mundian to Bach Ke" (along with the subsequent remix version featuring Jay-Z, "Beware of the Boys") uses the bassline from the television show `Knight Rider`.

Punjabi MC on TV
In the summer of 2000, Panjabi MC made his Canadian premiere at the Payal Banquet Hall in Mississauga (Ontario). The event titled "The Bhangramentary" was directed and hosted by Deejay Ra, covering a TV special. The programme was aired on Asian Television Network (ATN). His single, "Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee", from Beware, was featured on the television show Heroes (episode 2, Don`t Look Back, which aired October 2nd, 2006). The single "Mundian to Bach Ke" was featured in an episode of `Queer as Folk` (where Emmett dances to it as a show that his "famous spark" has been relit and he is finally getting over Ted).

Discography for Punjabi MC

Studio albums
Rootz
Souled Out (1993,)
Another Sell Out (1994)
100% Proof (1995)
Grass Roots (1996)
Magic Desi (1996)
Legalised (1998)
Dhol Jageroo Da (2001)
Desi (2002)
Indian Breaks (2003)
Mundian To Bach Ke (2003)
The Album (German version: Superstar/Warner; Germany) (French version: Scorpio; France) (UK Version: Instant Karma) (2003)
Beware (U.S. version of the album) (2003, Sequence)
Steel Bangle (2005)
Indian Timing (2008)
The Raj (2010)

Compilation albums
Illegal with the support from manpreet singh (2006)

EPs
Jatt Ho Gya Sharabi (1996)
Mirza Part Two (1997)
Switchin (2000)

Singles
"Dhol Jageero Da" (2001)
"Backstabbers" (2002)
"Mundian to Bach Ke" (2002)
"Jogi" (2003)
"Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee" (2005)
"Jugga Jugga Jugga Jugga Jugga Jugga" (2006)
"Snake Charmer" (2009)
"Panjaban" (2009)
"Jodi - Big Day Party" (2010)
"Moorni" (2010)
"Akh Da Eshara" (2010)

Awards and Honours for Punjabi MC
2003 MTV Europe Music Awards - Best Dance Act
2003 MOBO Awards - Best UK Act
2003 UK Asian Music Awards - Best Single Bhangra
2003 World Music Awards - World`s Best Indian Artist
2011 Punjabi Music Awards - Best Sound Recording - "Moorni"


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Music in India


Manjira - Musical Instrument
Manjira, also known as tala, manjeera, jalra, kartal, or khartal, is a traditional Indian percussion instrument. It consists of a pair of small hand. Manjira is widely used in religious ceremonies, folk music, and classical performances, showcasing its versatility and cultural significance.
Bhavageete
Bhavageete is a form of expressionist poetry in light music. It is a significant genre of folk music that unfolds the realities of life in an eloquent manner.
Kriti Carnatic Music
Kriti refers to one of the most widely used genres of Carnatic music. It originated from the kirtanas of the bhaktas, i.e., musicians who expressed their religious devotion through songs.
Music of Uttarakhand
Music of Uttarakhand has its roots in nature. The folk music of Uttarakhand is based on traditions, festivals and folk legends.
Music of Arunachal Pradesh
Music of Arunachal Pradesh reflects the socio cultural life of the people of that state. Music forms an integral part of the festivities of Arunachal Pradesh.
Rajasthani Musical Instruments
Rajasthani musical instruments are widely used as accompaniments as well as individually for entertainment.
Music of Tamil Nadu
Music of Tamil Nadu has an eminent charisma that reflects the pristine essence of the ancient art and culture of the region.
Thumri
Thumri belongs to the light classical genre of North Indian Classical Music that originated in the 15th century. It is known for its emotive melodies, poetic lyrics, and expressive renditions. Primarily sung by female vocalists, Thumri has evolved into a cherished form of music, captivating audiences with its melodic compositions.
Music of Kerala
With its origin in the primitive dances and plays, the music of Kerala has evolved to a high aesthetic sensitiveness and great technical sophistication since ancient times.
Ektara String Instrument
Ektara is a one-string instrument which is most often used in folk music in India. The Ektara was a regular string instrument of wandering bards and minstrels from India and is plucked with one finger.
Indian Musical Instruments
Indian musical instruments can be broadly classified into four categories like stringed, wind, Ghana Vadya and percussion.
Indian Folk Music
Indian Folk Music is full of rustic charm. The appeal of Indian folk music lies in the simplicity of its style and lyrics. Most of the folk songs are accompanied by dances.
Musical Instruments of Assam
Musical Instruments of the Assam are numerous which brings out the richness of the folk culture of the state.
Haryanvi Music
Haryanvi music is the folk music of the state of Haryana and is sung in western Uttar Pradesh along with the neighbouring districts of Rajasthan and Punjab.
Folk Music of West Bengal
Folk Music of West Bengal is practiced in different parts of West Bengal which is the semi-classical devotional genre of Kirtan.
Indian Classical Music
Indian Classical music originated in the Vedas and later branched into two streams of Carnatic and Hindustani music.
Musical Instruments of Ancient India
Musical Instruments of Ancient India, since time immemorial have contributed in making the Indian music more enchanting. A number of instruments have developed over time, which still finds a significant place in the music of modern era.
Carnatic Music
Carnatic music, also known as `Karnataka Sangitam`, is one of the two styles of Indian classical music.
Dotara - Muscial Instrument
The Dotara is a traditional musical instrument originating from Eastern India. This plucked-string instrument holds cultural significance in the region, producing melodious tunes that have been cherished for generations.
Tumbi Muscial Instrument
Tumbi is a type of string instrument that is mostly used in north Indian folk music. It features a high-pitched sound produced by a single metallic string. Popularized by Punjabi singers, the Tumbi has also made its mark in Western music also.
Xylophone Musical Instrument
Xylophone is a musical instrument consisting of several wooden bars which are struck with mallets; it belongs to the family of percussion instruments.