Swami (musical band)
| Swami | |
|---|---|
Swami Promo Shot
|
|
| Background information | |
| Origin | Birmingham, England |
| Genres | Bhangra, Pop Music |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels |
Nation Records (to 2004) Envy/Roma Music (2004, Britain) Sony BMG India (2005-2006, India) EMI/Virgin (2007-) |
| Website | www.swamimusic.com |
| Members | Diamond "DJ Swami" Duggal (guitar, keys, decks) (1999- ) S-Endz (vocals) (2003 - ) Sups (vocals) (2005 - ) Liana (vocals) (2007 - ) Bobby Panesar (dhol) (2006 - ) |
| Past members |
Tarsame 'Speed' Jarnail (vocals) (1999 - 2000) MC Sarpanch (vocals) (2004-2005) |
Tarsame 'Speed' Jarnail (vocals) (1999 - 2000)
Kamaljit 'Kamo' Bura (percussion) (1999 - 2000)
Simon 'Subs' Duggal (drums and production) (1999 - 2000)
Baba Stormz (bass guitar) (2005 - 2006)
Rocky Singh (drums) (2005 - 2006)
Swami are a British Indian bhangra/Asian Underground band from Birmingham, England. "Swami" is also the pseudonym of the band's leader Diamond Duggal (aka DJ Swami), who founded the band with his brother Simon Duggal.
Swami's debut dance album Desi Nu Skool Beatz was initially released on Simon & Diamond Duggal's own Sub Dub label in 1998. The album was picked up by Nation Records. Described as "blinding" by the Birmingham Post, the album received some international recognition when the opening track Mehbooba appeared in the 2004 Olsen twins movie New York Minute.Nu Skool Beatz was followed by the 2002 album Bhangradotcom, which was less dance-oriented.
The band's big break came with the release of their third album DesiRock, which became popular in the British Asian music scene. By this time Diamond was the only original member remaining and had recruited his cousin S-Endz as rap vocalist in the band alongside British bhangra singer Jagz and MC Sarpanch.
The title track DesiRock was voted as a BBC Radio 1 favourite, which led to the band doing a Maida Vale session in the summer of 2005. The track also appeared in the Official 2006 FIFA World Cup edition of Electronic Arts' FIFA series of video games. In the same year DJ Swami won the Media Storm Best Producer award at the UK Asian Music Awards, as well as being nominated for Best Track (DesiRock) and Best Group.
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