Panjabi MC

• Genre: Bhangra
• Panjabi MC Website

About

London's Panjabi MC labored in obscurity for years, heard mainly by the "desi" communities (native Indians living abroad) of the United States and England. Playing an updated version of bhangra, the music of the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, Panjabi MC is known for his cooler-than-thou rapping and absurdly funny mixes of Indian and Western pop culture. In addition to bringing bhangra out of the cheap synthesizer era, this MC introduced the genre's incredibly catchy beats to a whole new audience when he unexpectedly made waves in the American mainstream with a mix tape recording of Jay-Z rapping over his track "Mundian To Bach Ke." The song (renamed "Beware of the Boys") became an instant hit, introducing hip-hop fans to the joy that is bhangra. But even with his raised profile, fans will no doubt make sure that Panjabi MC keeps his beats real and his heart in India.

- Sarah Bardeen