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 DJ Swami has been on the music scene since the age of 18, but it was his most recent album Desi Rock that catapulted him into the eyes of the nation.
Best Known For: Desi Rock
Up and Coming: 'Hai Hai Jawani' with Taz. (Rewind Selecta)
Listen to Desi Rock
Not only has Desi Rock picked up accolades from the Asian Press, withÌýEastern Eye voting it best album of 2004, but Swami hasÌýsuccessfully crossed into theÌýmainstream. Â鶹Éç Radio 1 voted 'Desi Rock' asÌýone of the DJ tracks of the year, alongside the likes of Franz Ferdinand.
Swami has been playing the guitar since the age of 8 and started off playing in bands as teenagers in Handsworth. He later formed a band called The Movement with his brother Simon.ÌýThe success from this first band earned him enough money to buildÌýhis ownÌýstudio. It was in this studio that Swami started recording with his cousin Steve (AKA Apache Indian).
For over a decade the brothers have written, produced, remixed and performed for artists in both eastern and western music industries including Shania Twain, Erasure, Maxi Priest, Apache Indian, Aretha Daye, Dillinger, The Beat, Boyzone, China Black, ÌýStereo Nation, Janet Kaye Swami, Martine Girault Sly and Robbie, Stan Campbell Raise, Anne Saunderson (Inner City),ÌýMalkit Singh, Gurdass Mann and Hans Raj Hans.
As pioneers of the Asian Fusion sound Simon & Diamond, together with their first cousin Steven Kapur (a.k.a Apache Indian) were responsible for the huge international success of Apache Indian and achieved sales in excess of 3 million copies.
To date Simon & Diamond have sold over 5 million albums worldwide. They've had:
5 UK Top 40 Hits
Number One hit single 'No More (making Love)' performed by Aretha Daye (1991),
Mercury Music Prize nomination (1994) for the album 'No Reservations' by Apache Indian,
Brit Award nomination (1994) for 'No Reservations' by Apache Indian,
Ivor Novello Award (British Academy Of Songwriters, Composers & Authors) nomination (1993) in category of Best Contempory Song for 'Arranged Marriage' performed by Apache Indian,
Composed Theme, Score & Incidental music for BAFTA nominated (C4) TV drama 'Wingnut and the Sprog' (1994),
Number One hit album in India/UAE/East Africa (1999) with 'Jambo' performed by Stereo Nation
MTV Asia Best Video (1999) 'Oh Carol' performed by Stereo Nation, Secured sponsorship deals with Coke, Pepsi, Smirnoff and Rayban.
Their music has concentrated on breaking down cultural barriers and removing stereotyping. There were no rules, no agendas, just desi, hip hopping, breakin' urban vibes.Ìý Swami has also worked withÌýTaz and Kam Bura to purposely blur the lines between the rival Bhangra and Asian underground scenes.
Swami's debut album Desi Nu Skool Beatz was launched on an unsuspecting public in early 1999. Desi Rock picks up where the debut left off. Featuring a newÌýline-up includingÌýMC Sarpanch, Rapper S-Endz and live Punjabi vocalist Jagz (D.S.I), the Desi Rock sound continues to evolve.Ìý
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