Rhythm, Dhol and Bass…
Having previously worked with international heavy weights such as Snoop Dogg, Elephant Man, Yukhmouth from DTP and Public Enemy, RDB’s latest collaboration with hip hop sensation Ludacris, is further testament to the bands repute as pioneers of music as they escalate the amalgam of eclectic Western musical beats with the infamous drum and dhol of South Asian music to greater heights. RDB were not only the first fusion group to combine traditional Punjabi Bhangra, hip-hop and rock, but also the first group to have collaborated with a Bollywood superstar (Akshay Kumar) and world famous rapper on an international scale. Now, RDB (‘Rhythm, Dhol – Indian drum – and Bass’), have joined forces with the Grammy Award Winning artist Ludacris, and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar, for the cross-urban music track of the year, “Shera Di Kaum”. The promotional song for the crossover film ‘Speedy Singhs’ (out now) is already championing the airwaves and global playlists. We check in with the boys…
Welcome to the DMC world, we are giving you big props at DMC for your career to date, an inspiration to millions throughout the world. So how much has all this madness down to your dad and his insistence on your learning the harmonium for Gurdwara back in the day?!? Were you interested in music or was all this pushed on you?
“Dad is ‘The Man’. Without him and the grace of god, we couldn’t be where we are today. Both Mum and Dad never pushed us into doing anything we didn’t really want to do as children, they just let our individual interests grow. However I do think that his love for music did help us direct our attention in the right way.”
When did your ears first start to pick up the Western, urban sounds?
“As far back as we can remember, we have been raised with these sounds around us all the time. However, a pinnacle point in our love for western music was the day Mum brought home a cassette (album) for us, which we listened to over and over again. The album of course was Michael Jacksons ‘BAD’.”
What a cool mum. Why did you decide to form RDB, what was the process…?
“It was a decision made by all three of us at an early stage in our lives when we first were experimenting with technology, connecting tape decks with computers and mixing samples into beats. We soon learned that we had a real interest in music technology and with the help of our fathers deep pockets, invested into some basic DJ equipment. Our first live performance and the initiation of RDB started at Surj’s 18th Birthday party where we DJ’d and entertained our family and friends.”
How did your family feel about this new development in your tastes, or were they just pleased you were embracing music of all types?
“At first they were apprehensive. As you can understand, the idea of us going out to nightclubs and coming back early hours in the morning didn’t really sit with them initially. However, when they received positive feedback from the local community and seeing our enthusiasm and drive for music, they were the first people to support us in every way.”
What was it like growing up in Bradford and getting an interest in Hip Hop – what were your avenues of opening up the opportunity to these sounds, how early for instance were you when you stepped into a club for instance?
“Bradford has been quite influential to us when growing up as it’s always given us a wide understanding of different cultures due to its mixed cosmopolitan population. As it was such a melting pot of Pakistani and Indian kids, there were many musical genres that local promoters were involved in from speed garage to hip hop. We were, I suppose, late bloomers in terms of going clubbing… somewhere in our late teens.”
You have travelled the world twice over being privileged to see countries and sights and meeting incredible people, people your past generation could only have dreamed of. Where in the world has really taken your breath away?
“We all have different favourites, but I must say it’s because of our music we have travelled so far and beyond. So in actual fact it’s wherever our music is appreciated by the people is where our hearts truly lie. Surj enjoys the wonders of Pakistan and serenity of Dubai. Kuly likes the hustle and bustle of the major cities of Australia and the culinary delights of Singapore. Manj has always had a soft spot for Canada.”
What are the big 10 tunes you are into right now?
“When we were DJs I could have given you a list of a top 50 ! But as we now perform mostly our own catalogue, I can most certainly give you the tip five:
1. ‘Sadi Gali’
2. ‘Aja Mahi’
3. ‘Singh is King’
4. ‘Paisa’
5. ‘Aloo Chaat’
What 1 track is always a guaranteed floorfiller?
“Has to be ‘Aloo Chaat’.”
Who would you say are your greatest musical influences?
“We don’t have specifics as such, but feel that our influences tend to come from a variation of people. Basically anyone that makes good music.”
Your sense of humour is legendary. What is your funniest on tour story?
“I remember Kuly was DJing at a wedding in Mumbai when an elderly lady (in hers 80’s) wheeled over to the DJ box, supported herself up and whispered to him…”do you have any drum and bass”.. to which Kuly replied…”… lemme look…o wait…no…I’ll bring it next time for you Granma”. We laughed about it for most of that night…She was so disappointed.
Three brothers on the road together travelling long distances – nightmare. Who has the worst habits?
“No major annoying habits as such, just maybe difference of opinions sometimes.”
What is the proudest career moment you have had to date?
“Creating the biggest collaboration in Bollywood history, when working with Snoop Dogg”
Where is home at the moment for you all?
“For Surj and Kuly it’s still our home town of Bradford. However Manj has moved to a new life in Toronto.”
DMC held the World DJ Championship Finals in London last weekend. Your love of hip hop is obvious, have you ever cast your eye over the world of turntablism at all…?
“Oh yes! Surj is a big fan of the traditional decks, so when Serato released Scratch Live, it changed the way we DJ’d.”
You infamously introduced Snoop Dogg to Bollywood – what did he make of the scene, what went on with that experience?
“As he was at the top of his game in hip hop, he was very keen to diversify his style. So when he heard the beat he was on it like a bullet. The experience was a very challenging one, as on one side we had the laid backed stereotypical ‘Indian way of working’ producers and on the other end was the professional and ‘to the point’ rappers management. Gelling these people together was most certainly a task on it’s own.”
You were once quoted describing your videos that the main problem “is money, if everybody has a decent budget for their video we could all be enjoying MTV videos.” Have things changed since then or times still tough – it must be frustrating with all these really good directors out there?
“As time moves on, so does the quality of work. Yes the problem is still the same, but it’s all stepped up a notch. The budgets are bigger but on the other hand so is the quantity of work. It’s a never ending battle.”
So we head back to yours after the club, what are the Back To Mine tunes you spin us to chill?
“They would have to be classic retro Bollywood numbers from the 80’s. And who says we would be spinning ? Classic fm is perfect!”
Where do you see the Bhangra vibe going at the moment? What are the main influences musically these days?
“Desi is in. Not many people are looking for the blends of hip hop and Asian music, or even garage and Bhangra. It’s more the natural sounds of the typical Indian instruments along with strong vocals.”
The Times newspaper once said that the Technics 1200 SL turntable was “the most important musical instrument of the last 30 years.” Thoughts on that…
“That and the household computer whereby DJs and producers can make beats and songs from the comfort of their bedrooms.”
The new film you are involved with ‘Speedy Singhs’ is out now featuring the cross-urban music track of the year featuring Grammy Award winning artist Ludacris and Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar. As mentioned, you’ve worked with Snoop, you’ve also worked with the mighty Public Enemy – do you three ever get fazed by all this? Ever been starstruck?
“With Snoop we were a little, as we were always huge fans of his songs, even bought his t-shirt! But I think now our frame of mind is different and put the stardom to one side and concentrate on the job at hand. These amazing artists are still just people with incredible jobs. We still respect that whilst working together.”
What is the best piece of advice ever given to you?
“Don’t underestimate kindness for weakness” and “You can never make more money than your boss, only way is to become the boss”
Who is the best MC in the world at the moment?
“Me! Kidding, there are all great in their unique ways, but I do like Tinie Tempah.”
You were once called the So Solid Crew of the Punjab world due to your ever expanding members of your group including Dholis, producers/DJs and designers – so how many are on board as we speak?
“Most of the team is still true to this day, especially when we do live shows. In fact we had to expand even more and bring in more of a business team too.”
Which extra member of your entourage is indispensable?
“Dad. He might not be at the forefront of the group, but without him we wouldn’t have tracks like ‘Aja Mahi’, ‘Aloo Chaat’, ‘Singh is King’, ‘Om Mangalam’ or ‘Sheran Dhi Korm’ as he did write them all!”
What is each brother’s forte that you bring to the table in the studio or at gigs – who does the best at what?
“Even though there is only a year’s difference between us, we all have our unique talents and skills. Manj is the vocalist of the group and brings the melody charm to the songs as well as composing in his studio in Toronto. Kuly’s known for his compositions and beats as well have having the creative knowledge in all he touches. Surj has the experience in the ways of the industry and brings the business element to the table.”
Has your religion ever restricted your music making? Have you ever drawn a line somewhere thinking maybe this will offend some people?
“Not really, but we always make our songs with a positive approach.”
Can you remember the moment that it struck you when you realised that you really had cracked it and that your career in music was sorted?
“I can remember the day when we knew that this was the line we would take in our careers. It was at a very early age and only the second time we DJ’d at a friend’s private party. It was then we knew music was the future for us.”
It may not be good for our image, but RDB are really good at…
“Eating copious amounts of sugary sweets.”
What is on your tour rider for a gig?
“Book us and you will find out!”
What are your 3 guilty pleasure tunes. Don’t hold back boys…
“Kulys is probably Belinda Carlisle’s ‘Circle in the Sand’. Manj’s is ‘Amplifier’ and Surjs is R Kellys ‘Your Body’s Calling Me’. All true!”
What is the biggest crowd you ever played to?
“Pakistan – 80k plus…”
What has 2012 got in store for us all from the world of RDB films, music, touring etc….?
“More Bollywood films, more mainstream collaborations, RDB’s own album release called ‘Worldwide’ (finally). More from our artist on our record label THREE RECORDS.”
And finally – give the DMCWORLD crew following you guys a RDB message…
“Keep spinning the tunes and love and respect to you all.”
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