By Harpz
Just wanted to share a thought really!
Is it just me, or is Bhangra beginning to show a completely different side to it these days? Hold on, maybe not a different side, maybe its just ‘changed’… ???
When I was a child, Bhangra in my eyes and ears referred to artists such as Gurdas Mann, Surjit Bhindrakhia, AS Kang and the list goes on. However today, Bhangra seems to be more about the flashy videos, the funky beats and the money. Agree?
The current Bhangra scene in my opinion seems to be flooded with not as much quality music. It seems nowadays, if the beats good it means the songs good, if the producers good, it means the singers good and if the videos good, it means it HAS to be good.
Personally, I feel it’s more important to have a good vocalist, good lyrics, good production and something to appeal to all ages by sticking to their roots at the same time. Bhangra used to be about India, the pend, the ways of living, the fields, the farms, the desi chaa and the Panjabi culture! But the sad thing is, none of that really reflects in the stuff we see on TV today. Its now more about the amount of money spent on the video, the pimped out cars, the girls, the bling and where you stand in the charts. And if your good looking, it’s a bonus! Most of the fans will be full of young teenage girls! So there’s definitely not a lack of support. On the other hand, even if you haven’t got a good voice, probably never had any training either, producers can now work their magic and help you rely on their new best friend – special effects. I’m sure we can all immediately think of some names when you hear the word ‘auto-tune’.
I kind of feel for the younger generation really and future generations to come, because they don’t really get to have the experience or the true feel to what Bhangra music really is, unless they dig up the oldskool stuff themselves!
They have now become so surrounded by materialistic things that artists nowadays like to ‘show off’ this stuff in their videos as valuables. Bare in mind, some youths will see these artists as their idols/inspirations so maybe portraying such things in their music and on screen will only push youngsters more into thinking this is what music and life is all about. Kind of worrying, no?
Not only that, but it also seems that DJs are now also jumping onto the bandwagon and releasing their own singles. Half the producers out there aren’t even producers, their DJs!!!
We never really saw much of that before? But why is this so common now? Is it due to the fact they want more recognition within their own fields and feel as though their missing out on something? Or is it to help them with their roadshow bookings? Are people even aware of this happening?
It get’s me so confused as to how particular DJs and artists putting out music without any real talent, manage to make hits! Is the track even actually good? Or is it just support coming from certain areas, such as friends and family and little girls and boys backing their on-screen crush?
I think all Bhangra lovers out there kind of need to find a wake up call. And all this weak quality music being released needs a reality check!
Or like I said, maybe its just me…
Follow
comments feed
