Apache Indian
Apache Indian is the stage name of dancehall/reggae/pop DJ and singer Steven Kapur (born on 11 May 1967 in Handsworth, Birmingham, best known for his iconic international hit "Boomshackalak" (also known by many other titles such as "Boom Shack-A-Lak").
He introduced a combination of the traditional Indian bhangra music with the style of raggamuffin, the mix-up often known as bhangramuffin, to the world with his first album, 1993's 'No Reservations'. That release was produced by Simon & Diamond, Phil Chill, Robert Livingston, Bobby Digital, and Sly Dunbar. It was followed by 'Make Way for the Indian', produced by Sly & Robbie, The Press, Mafia & Fluxy, Pandit Dinesh, and Chris Lane. That album notably featured rapper Tim Dog and spawned the massive hit Boom Shack-A-Lak", which has been used in several movies and has become a sort of 'signature song' for Apache Indian .
'Real People', produced by Harjinder Noparat, proved to be his most experimental album and also featured more Indian elements than many of his previous releases. 'Karma', his first album of the new century, was a return to more traditional forms of reggae. That album featured Luciano, Boy George, and Mafia & Fluxy.
As stated before, Apache Indian merged raggamuffin with Indian music as well as influences from mainstream dance music and pop rap. Born in Handsworth, Birmingham, England. He helped to start a trend that has found a huge following. He's also the only Asian to date to have seven Top 40 Hits on the mainstream British charts. Stylistically, Apache Indian generally moved from mixing Indian music with raggamuffin and commercial rap to exploring more traditional forms of reggae on his most recent albums.
Lyrically, Apache Indian - who always uses Jamaican English - is known for his sharp social criticism ("Arranged Marriage" featuring Natacha Atlas; "Mention") as well as his party tracks ("Boomshackalak", "Jump Up").
Apache Indian has recorded with Boyz II Men, Blackstreet, Wreckx 'n' Effect, UB40, US chart topper Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, General Levy, Brian and Tony Gold, Shaggy, Yami Bolo, Boy George, A.R. Rahman, Sameera Singh. Asha Bhosle and Pras of the Fugees.
Reggae singer Sean Paul, who has been on the top of Billboard charts with his single with Beyonce, toured the US with Apache Indian.
For his first album "No Reservation", he had signed a contract worth £250,000 pounds with Island Records - one of the largest sums paid for a debut album by a non-white artist.
"Boomshackalak" was featured in five different Hollywood movies, including "Dumb And Dumber". More significantly, the song has featured in a record 52 commercials across the globe, featuring various brands.
Now it features on the "Scooby Doo 2" soundtrack, along with international names like Fatboy Slim, The B-52's, 2 Unlimited and New Radicals.
His composition "Om Namah Shivay" also features on Putumayo World Music World Reggae, a collection of reggae-influenced tracks performed by artists from around the world. The World Reggae compositions blend the upbeat and soulful groove of reggae with exotic local influences to create new and appealing variations that will appeal to music lovers everywhere.
Apache Indian was also nominated for the Central Britain Media and Arts Asian Jewel Award in 2004.
Discography
* 1993 No Reservations
* 1995 Make Way for the Indian
* 1997 No Reservations
* 1998 Real People
* 2000 Karma
* 2005 Time for Change
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