Sugar Tuesday

This year is shaping up to be an explosive year in the development of South Asian music across North America. If all goes as planned, our days of resting solely on the laurels of the global success of Punjabi MC are numbered. Instead of a bunch of kids pursuing a hobby outside of their medical studies, we’ve got a dedicated and determined legion of young hustlers eager to make great music. In an effort to document this unprecedented movement, we gathered some of the top up and coming South Asian artists on the music scene.

“Things are going to blow up now. Everyone is so gung ho about getting their music out and, more importantly everyone is focused,” says New York’s Jay Dabhi, arguably among the top South Asian DJ’s and producers in the country.

Philadelphia based singer Lady Ru quickly concurs, “We all have stuff on the radio somewhere. We’re all coming out with our albums. It’s just bound to happen that folks are gonna take notice. The South Asian scene. The mainstream scene. Every scene!”

In a culture where competitive undercutting has traditionally marred the Desi music scene, it is refreshing to observe the camaraderie and mutual respect these artists feel for one another.

“Everybody in the South Asian music scene, we all come together. We’re all trying to come up musically,” affirms NYC MC Nivla. Producer P.Nox eagerly chimes in stating, “Like today man. Artists, producers, and DJ’s are here. We get to know each other on a personal basis and hopefully we’ll all make some great music together one day.”

“Yeah, man. This is some “we are the world type shit, right here,” chuckles MC Don Revo from the P.Nox crew. “That’s what this is!”

So here they are. Stars in the making with some music you won’t want to miss. We’ve served them up like a fresh batch of samosas ready to devour. There’s really only one question left for you to ask yourself. How hungry are you? We, for the record, are famished.

8From Left to Right:*

Avir Mitra of Bamboo Shoots, a NYC Rock staple that’s dropped two EPs and been getting a whole lot of MTV promo love.

Nivla: The NYC based MC is releasing his much anticipated Debut Album, “Son of God,” recently appearing at shows alongside MTV Direct Effect Host Cipha sounds.

Karl Sukhia of Bamboo Shoots riles up the booty for Bamboo as the band’s bass player. BS have been given nods by ASCAP and their track interstate 95, will be featured in the upcoming “Finding Preet” feature film.

L’il Jay / Jay Dabhi. Currently working on his solo project, NYC’s mash-up king is among Desi music’s biggest Dj/Producers.

Dhruva Ganesan brings the breaks and grooves of the Dhamaal collective to NYC each week with the high energy subswara party series.

MC Don Revo of the P.Nox Productions crew whose hit “Arabian nights” took the BBC Asian network by storm. The Group opened for Jive Records MC Papoose and rocked a 30,000 people crowd at the India Day Parades festivities last year.

P. Nox Productions’ Beatmaker, P.Nox surgically brings the outfit their heat.Recently he produced the official 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup song for Dish Network.

From Left to Right:

We eagerly await Hip Hop and R&B singer Thara’s debut album featuring Fat Man Scoop, Rupee and John Legend.

Tina Sugandh, New Yorks “Tabla Girl,” recently inked her debut record deal with Sony Records.

Juno Award, Canadian R&B sensation Deesha has already had a track climb the urban top 40 charts in Canada. She recently dropped her Debut album “A Life Less Ordinary.”

Lady Ru sings in Hindi and English and is signed to Apache Indian’s management team. Up next, recording with producer Heavyweights Sly and Robbie.

VA born Ranjini’s star is on the rise with her hit tracks “Music Box” and “This Guy.” She’s in the studio working on her debut album.

R&B Maven Sumeet has already been featured alongside A.R. Rehman, Elephant Man, and Vybez Cartel. She’s hard at work on her follow up to “deeper.”