Panjabi MC reveals secrets of The Raj

New Delhi: He's the Punjabi boy taking Punjabi music to the world. Panjabi MC (born Rajinder Singh Rai) first made waves with Mundian To Bach Ke in 2003 and hasn't looked back since. In an exclusive interview to NDTV.com, the British-Indian musician talks about his latest album The Raj and his unique brand of traditional bhangra set to a global beat.

What's your latest album The Raj all about?
The Raj is the same kind of stuff I do. It's remixing Bhangra with hip-hop, RDB, house and whatever. The difference is that in this album, I did things my own way, I did it by feel. I made it The Raj because it's my name short from Rajinder.

So, it's essentially The Raj because it's your guts talking in this album?
You know, I couldn't put it in better words myself. It totally is my guts talking as some of it's not really perfect. I have experimented with what I feel.

You have some great tracks, but what would your favourite track from the album be?
That's difficult for me to say. But if I had to pick a favourite it would be Snake Charmer II. It's been sung by Jaily Manjitpuri, and he is such a terrific singer. He is a veteran at what he does but hasn't been able to really expose himself as a singer. On this song, he has done such a great vocal that I really enjoy listening to him.

Mirza was also a great track with Sukshinder Shinda. How was that experience?
Sukshinder Shinda was brilliant. I recorded the song when I first went to Punjab. Our first meeting was at the studio. We recorded the song and then I mixed a little bit of rap into it and it was good. He's a legend and one of my idols. It was a great opportunity to work with him.

Jungle, UK garage, reggae, rap, hip-hop - how do you manage to blend all these and more into your music?
Living in England, is something like living in the middle of the world. You have Asia one side, America on the other. We get so much culture from the other countries. We get as much Hindi Bollywood, Punjabi music as we get rap, hip-hop, electro, and more. And England has always been known to generate new music like drummer bass, two-step, garage, base line and grind. Every so often, there is a new form of music come out.

Mundian to Bach ke was the song that made you popular in India. How did it come to be that you recorded a remix with Jay Z.
I feel really proud of the song, because it was not done in a way that I would for Bollywood or mainstream rap. I was making bhangra music for the people I relate to. And it got picked up by JayZ, and got remixed over and over by other great names. It wasn't supposed to be a great commercial song.

So from that track to The Raj, how do you think your music has evolved?
I live a circular life - it is summer, then winter and back to summer. Why put a number on a year. So I still kind of do the same thing, but am happy that I do something that I enjoy. I'm still kind of at the same level, but different at the same time.

What made you lean towards music and mixing?
I've always been interested in music. I used to love listening to James Brown, Bob Marley, and many more. And even when I am not working and listen to a song, it feels magical. When I'm at home, I'm always in the studio doing my own thing. It's always been something I've dreamt of.
Who is your favourite singer?
Gurdas Mann, Chamkeela, Sukshinder Shinda, I could actually list someone from all genres. Then there has been Elton John, John Lennon. Everyone whose birthday was yesterday, basically!

Who would you love to trade places with?
I would love to trade places with JayZ, David Beckham, the Prime Minister?

Are you keen to do Bollywood music?
I'm kind of hoping to do something. But the thing about me is that I sort of start working on my own songs. I was approached by Shweta Pandit for the song I got that poison from Hisss. I was kind of shocked that AR Rahman didn't work on it, but he's into the Bollywood thing big time and more of a mainstream brand on it. But anyhow, I work mostly for my own satisfaction.

What kind of movies would you like to do?
I would love to get involved in the popular Bollywood scene. I would love to work in Yamla Pagla Deewana with Dharmedra and his sons. They should have called me in on that one!

How do you find the music scene in India and how is it different from Britain or elsewhere in the world?
It's really happening in India, it's a thriving industry with commercial music everywhere. It is such a large country with a population that is so great, so there is definitely a huge scene happening here. I love coming to Delhi, Punjab and Mumbai. New Year's Eve I'll be performing in Bangalore.

Your most memorable moment so far?
Working with Spike Lee on the Inside man, in New York and working with really influential producers like DJ Premier. When bhangra music became so popular and went mainstream is also a great landmark in my life. When someone like Spike Lee says he's been listening to it all his life, it's like WOW! But in India, at the 2003 MTV music Awards in Mumbai, we did some of the after-parties and Aishwarya Rai to Asha Bhonsle were there. And Mumbai had never seen a performing DJ before that with scratch techniques, and it blew them away!

When you are not Panjabi MC, what does Rajinder Singh Rai do?
Rajinder Singh Rai doesn't really get time to do anything because Panjabi MC is such a bully! To be honest, my life just revolves around music. But as Rajinder Rai, I just pop my feet up on the table and watch some TV, relax and enjoy that little bit of time to myself.

Doesn't it put a strain on your personal relationships?
Yes, of course! I haven't spoken to most of my relatives in years. They live two doors away from me and I don't go to their house, weddings or parties. I am always in my studio or not in town.

So Panjabi MC is kind of the workaholic?
Definitely! I look back and ask ìf it has been worth it.

It must have been well worth it, because you are still on that ride...
Well it depends, when it's a gorgeous sunny day and your mates are out enjoying. You are stuck in the studio finishing your project; you ask what am I doing here? But when it's all done, and you listen to your work, the reward is great!