1. For those who don't know who you are, give us a little info about yourself?
Hey, my names Manj Banwait, born in Derby, England and I’m 21 years old. I’m just an ordinary person who goes to university like everyone else my age. I had an album out last year called Project One which included the chart track Piche Hohke and brought me into the bhangra industry.
2. How did you get into singing, where did it all begin?
Well when I used to be a younger my dad used to buy all the old school Alaap, Heera Malkit Singh etc tapes so I grew up listening to various artists who I would then try to imitate at home, I slowly developed my own style and then went on to perform at school talent shows, charity events and so on. I then learnt parts of the harmonium to perfect my skill and eventually approached BEE2 and Taj-e to produce my 1st album which I coincidently also wrote.
3. Your brand new album"BHANGRA NEVER DIES" coming out soon! Tell us about it & What we can expect from it?
Bhangra Never Dies will be my 2nd official album release which has been a year in the making, I’ve wrote 9 out of 10 tracks on the album once again which has enabled me to make it sound unique for my style of vocalicity. It features producers such as Notorious Jatt, Panjabi By Nature, Bharat Goel and Jit Rooprai on there, with collabo’s also featuring HMC and Pargat Khan, we can all agree these are some big names and I was really happy when they agreed to work with me on this project. This album is all about bringing together lots of talent and blending it into a powerful product which says bhangra is still alive more than ever. It should be a big album for me, a milestone to say the least which is why we have stepped up our game even further and had 2 high budget video’s shot for it.
4. What tunes should we watch out for?
That’s a hard one, never really thought about that to be honest because its hard for me to choose, they’re all so different and different people will like different things, but for I would say Bhangra Never Dies, Baliyeh and Ki Hogiya are all going to be doing some damage in 2009 and hopefully years to come. The album also features a special track for me called Piche Hohke The Reply which has been specifically made for the girls in response to the original song..
5. What about Videos this time ?
The videos have been undertaken with a high budget this time around, as we felt that the visual aid needed to be of the same standard as the music. You only get to make one impression and I want it to be the best. The videos have been shot by WV Entertainment and Interlace TV. One of the video’s has been shot in pure HD and features the title track Bhangra Never Dies and Ki Hogiya. The video features myself, guest appearances by Notorious Jatt, HMC, Bharat Goel, The Balle Shava dancers, Infamous Ranj, GT Roadshow dj’s and extra’s which just goes to show the level of effort we have gone to, to ensure that everything is up to everyones expectations. The 2nd video also features a track produced by Notorious Jatt called Baliyeh which is a duet with Pargat Khan, the 2nd half of the video is more on a romantic vibe and features production from newcomer Jit Rooprai.
6. Who would you say has had the most influence on your singing career?
I would say more than any singer or musician, my mum has probably had the most influence on my singing career as she’s always told me to follow my dreams.
7. Which Rapper are you rating at the moment?
At the moment I am feeling 50 cent, theres just something about his style when he raps. On my album I have used HMC and in my opinion he is one of the best in the bhangra industry that there is when it comes to rapping, on Bhangra Never Dies he has done a brilliant job.
8. Taj-E or Notorious Jatt?
That’s a tough one right there, they’re both unique in their own way, Taj-E produced Piche Hohke and Notorious has produced Bhangra Never Dies, they’re both good tracks so I cant really choose between the 2. I just feel privileged that I’ve got to work with both of them at such an early age.
9. Why You Leave SOUND PIPE RECORDS.?
It was always just a one album deal with Soundpipe Records so I didn’t leave them as such, they helped me launch myself though so I’ll always have a sentimental place in my heart for that label.
10. Album coming on which records Comp. ?
The album is due to release on OutBound Records which has been newly formed by myself. The record label will define quality through ts releases and video’s which is something I feel very strongly about. I thought it was a viable decision to open my own label as I want to get involved and sign more artists in the future, and help out people such as myself when I first started out.
11. If there was one artist from the past or present that you would collaborate with, who would it be?
Hmmm..I think it would have to be Kuldip Manak, his raw vocal ability is just amazing. On this album I have done a duet with Pargat Khan who is infact Kuldip Manak’s nephew and it gives me great pleasure to work with the family of such a folk legend.
12. There are not many big vocalists in the UK in the Bhangra industry. What do you think is halting the success of local vocalists getting into the limelight?
I think that the lack of support is a big issue, people aren’t as open to supporting UK talent because they like to pick faults in everything. I think the bhangra industry is like a minefield, it’s very dangerous yet its rewards are great if you can make it to the other side. I think if in 10 years time I am still here, then I will have got through the minefield, this is where all UK singers and talent needs to come together and support one another in times of dire bhangra state.
13. Which vocalist from the UK do you rate the most? Can you name any upcoming vocalists who we should watch out for in the future?
From the UK I think I rate BEE2 the most, he has a very nice vocal style and is talented as a producer, also as everyone knows an amazing tumbi player. In terms of new upcoming vocalists I haven’t really been contacted by anyone who has blown me away, but I’m sure there is lots of talent in the UK which just hasn’t had an opportunity to release any material, hopefully over the next 20 years or so we can get UK born vocalists more involved in the industry.
14. Is there anything else we should look out from you in the near future?
Well I’ve just released a track on Bharat Goel’s new album Club Vich Project which was released on the MovieBox record label. I’ve got one or 2 projects in the pipelines doing a track here and there for producers, but mainly I want to concentrate on building up my record label in terms of artists so you will probably see me helping out a lot of newcomers soon, but as we speak I am already writing tracks for my 3rd solo album.
15. With the album coming now, you must hope fans go out and support the album; do you have a message for the people who have decided to download your album for free rather than purchase it legally?
Yeah I think all artists want their fans to buy the album and support them, but I can’t blame a single fan for downloading something illegally because its society as a whole which has influenced this trend. I just hope that people listening to my music will appreciate my hard work enough to go out and purchase the album, which is what enables us to get back into the studio and work on new albums.
16. Finally, do you have a message for all the readers of www.kdsdj.Com?
Yeah just want to say a big thanks to all the readers of kdsdj.com, you’ve taken your time out to read this and I appreciate your support a lot, without you guys I wouldn’t be here right now. A huge thanks to kdsdj website as well for letting me express my opinions. Keep it locked to kdsdj for all upcoming video teasers and full video’s, a long with the actual release date for April. Thanks again, enough love
