Sukhbir (musician)

Sukhbir Singh (1969 -) is a Bhangra singer. He is often referred to as the "Prince of Bhangra". He is based out of Dubai and his Bhangra music varied from fusion to pure Punjabi at times. Early life

He was born in Jalandhar, Punjab but moved to Nairobi, Kenya at the age of one and a half. Since a very young age, Sukhbir was a good friend of Sachin Modasia. Some of his inspiration from music comes from this friendship at a young age. His father Raghbir Singh was a gyaniji (priest) at the local Gurudwara. There, young Sukhbir honed his singing skills practicing kirtans on the harmonium. This apprenticeship laid the groundwork for the musical side of his Bhangra career. His family spoke Punjabi at home, and his lyrical inspirations have also come from his childhood. He spent 20 years in Nairobi before returning to India. . In Nairobi, he was discovered by businessman Ketan Somaiyya, who suggested Sukhbir make a living with his music. Supported by his father, he began recording in 1996. He then moved to London for a year and a half, before moving to Dubai in 1994.

Music

His first album (New Stylee) was recorded in Dubai and had many foreign influences. Though he was nominated for many awards, at one point he was asked "Who's going to listen to this stuff in India?"[1]. The album though, was nominated for the 1996 Channel V Awards in three categories: Best Debut Album, Best Male Vocalist and Best Music Video (for "Punjabi Munde"). He can sing in nine languages, and his album "Oi Triesto" has many Spanish and Portuguese vocals and music.

Sukhbir's unique Bhangra is a fusion of Bhangra with rap, techno and reggae. The juxtaposition of these musical styles is enhanced by Sukhbir’s use of original Bhangra instruments like the dhol and dholak. In Oi Triesto, his music was complemented by Spanish and Portuguese rhythms, while he also uses instruments like: tablas, congos, guitars and keyboards in his music.

In the realm of Indian music, he cites Jagjit Singh as a big influence and said that if he wasn't doing Bhangra he would be a ghazal singer. He also stated that Daler Mehndi and Malkit Singh were his biggest competition in the Punjabi music market He has also collaborated with Pakistani musicians such as Shehzad Roy.

Discography

   * New Stylee (1996)
   * Gal Ban Gayee' (1997)
   * Hai Energy (1999)
   * Prince of Bhangra Volume 1 (2000)
   * Oi! Triesto'
   * Dil Kare
   * Sukhbir - Greatest Hits'

Family

He is based out of Dubai with his wife Dimpy, whom he married in 2005 in London. He says that Dimpy makes the best Indian food for him at home. He has one brother in London and two brothers in India.