U.K. Born DJ Sanj Collaborates with Oscar Winner Sukhwinder Singh

March 20 2009 12:30 PST

Sukhwinder Singh is a pretty common name in the Bollywood film industry. He's worked on countless films including 'Slumdog Millionaire', 'Dil Se', and 'Om Shanti Om'. It seems like if there's a great Bollywood movie coming out, Sukhwinder Singh will be working on it. There's no doubt that he is one of the most talented artists of India since it is proven by his many awards, the latest being the Oscar for 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

Well the U.K. raised DJ Sanj is now proud to have a chance to have worked with the amazing composer and singer. The young Extreme Entertainment Group artist DJ Sanj a.k.a. JNas recently collaborated with Oscar winner Sukhwinder Singh on a song named 'Play the Dhol'. The upbeat traditional melody is for a movie soundtrack.

DJ Sanj and Sukhwinder Singh worked together for the movie 'Tera Mera Ki Rishta' which is due out this year. The film 'Tera Mera Ki Rishta' is a huge 2009 release from Eros that stars Jimmy Shergill, Anupam Kher, Kulraj Randhawa, Raj Babbar, and Archana Puran Singh and is directed by Navaniat Singh. This seems like the best opportunity for DJ Sanj to show off his talent and build a reputation for himself in Bollywood and beyond. 'Play the Dhol' is already starting to gain exposure as it has been picked up by radio and club DJs worldwide.

Well we have the new single from the upcoming film 'Tera Mera Ki Rishta'. We want you to hear the song and let us know what you think about it. Does this song make you want to hear more or are there other Sukhwinder Singh hits you enjoy more? Let us know your thoughts on the song and on the collaboration.

'Play The Dhol'

RATE:

• 
  

(3.5) 60

India 278-4 vs. New Zealand at Day Two of Their Test Series

March 19 2009 20:35 PST

Sachin Tendulkar passed new milestones in his 157-Test career on Thursday, posting his 52nd half-century and becoming the second most-capped player in history as India reached 278 for four on the second day of the series-opening match against New Zealand in Hamilton, New Zealand.

Sachin Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 70 to clinch this honor. His score of 157 is now second all-time in Test play, moving past Allan Border's 156 and moving closer to Stephen Waugh's all-time record of 168.

Gautam Gambhir made 72, Rahul Dravid 66 and V.V.S.Laxman 30 in an Indian batting performance which was steady but which never entirely crushed the resistance of the New Zealand team as they kept it competitive as there's still plenty of cricket left to be played. The 105-run second-wicket between the duo of Gambhir and Dravid was the largest on a day on which India added 249 runs for four wickets in 83.5 overs. Bad lighting caused the event to be called off for the day and weather wise there was a 15 minute rain delay that halted the proceedings for a bit.

Gambhir and Virender Sehwag put on 37 for the first wicket, Dravid and Tendulkar 35 for the third, Tendulkar and Laxman 61 for the fourth and Yuvraj Singh had added 60 with Tendulkar for the fifth by stumps. The onslaught seemed to be continuing, but New Zealand's seam-based bowling attack persevered, shutting down India's run production and preventing any two-man attack from becoming overwhelming, effectively keeping themselves in contention.

"I think we stuck to it pretty well," said New Zealand paceman Chris Martin, who ended the day with two for 53 from 20 overs. "I think the surface is (worth) a little bit more than three runs per over so we were pretty happy with containment and maybe (could have had) a couple more wickets if we'd taken our catches.

Chris Martin also felt the Indian team played them as fairly as you could but definitely had a fortuitious bounce here and there. "I think they played us with a bit of respect. Most of their guys, apart from Sehwag, respect a good ball so we were glad to see him go early. We had to watch Tenedulkar but he was also riding his luck at times," he said.
The ensuing partnership between Gambhir and Dravid was India's most profitable and really set the tone for how India would play New Zealand today. The left-hand, right-hand pair brought conflicting styles and batting strategies to the crease but accumulated runs with a similar sense of power and results. This strategy is akin to a left-handed bat following a right-handed bat in baseball or vice versa.

Dravid went on to his 54th Test half-century from 108 balls with 10 fours but his partnership with Tendulkar was not a long one unlike in previous matchups. The pair have scored more than 5,000 Test runs in partnerships for India but had added only 35 when Dravid was bowled by Iain O'Brien. Once Tendulkar started off on the right foot, he was gaining confidence as the day progressed, hitting accurate drives into an offside area that was inexplicably unguarded. The lack of attention paid to him proved costly as his cuts continued to be a thorn in the side of the New Zealand team. Day three of the test period will resume tomorrow.

So what do you guys think of Sachin Tendulkar's milestone? Do you think India can beat New Zealand in this Test matchup? Please post your thoughts below on how the Test series is going.

RATE:

• 
  

(4.4) 75

Pranav Veera IQ of 176

March 19 2009 18:10 PST

Over the roughly five billion years this planet has been revolving we've had a good amount of genius' grace the planet. You have Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, Galileo Galilei, Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newton and more. These people (and others) changed the world and turned it into what we know of now. There's now a good chance that in the future we'll have to add another name to our textbooks.

That name would be Pranav Veera. He is a six year old boy from Ohio blessed with an IQ of 176. If you want that number put into context then let's compare it to Albert Einstein's IQ. Einstein's IQ was a remarkable 160 and he was the driving force behind the theory of relativity. Pranav Veera may be a genius, but unlike many of the genius' listed he is different. Unlike many of the historical genius' Pranav Veera enjoys playing video games and also plays outside. This may be normal child behavior, but what sets him apart is what he's able to do.

Pranav Veera can say the alphabet backwards and list the names of U.S. presidents in the order they served in office. If this wasn't amazing enough, if you give him any date going back to 2000, Veera can tell you what day of the week that was. Also Veera is very computer literate and through this he displays the use of his photographic memory. His parents relate to him through an Excel file, where they constantly add more info on topics which Veera is able to memorize and regurgitate.

If you wonder what a mind like his wishes to do the answer is that he wants to become an astronaut. If he can put is brain power to it he might be able to benefit mankind. Maybe Pranav Veera can help find a way for intergalactic travel to be possible, or invent replicator technology so he wouldn't have to eat food out of toothpaste tubes.

RATE:

• 
  

(4.2) 71

Snoop Dogg Millionaire

March 19 2009 17:40 PST

By: Marcus Beasley

Well if life teaches us one thing it's that something popular will get spoofed or parodied. Sometimes this goes well like the Star Wars spoof 'Space Balls,' which was made by Mel Brooks. Or 'Blazing Saddles,' which spoofed Westerns, which was also made by Mel Brooks. But while you have those two classics you also have god awful mind numbing crap like 'Epic Movie,' 'Meet the Spartans' and 'Date Movie.' The makers of those movies should really apologize to those who actually paid money to see those flicks.

This also goes for music. But at least we have the intelligent, but hilarious spoofs from Weird Al Yankovic, which include 'Amish Paradise' and 'Eat It' just to name a few. But where there are good ones, there are bad ones. One only needs to look at 'The Fifth of Beethoven' by Walter Murphy. This alone proves that classical music and disco should not unite, and when it does it results in something that would make Satan cringe. Well what is this leading to? Well after the popularity of Snoop Dogg's collaboration with Akshay Kumar to create 'Singh is King,' he does it again.

Now following on the heels of the success of 'Slumdog Millionaire' we have 'Snoop Dogg Millionaire.' I'm pretty sure 'Singh is King' was both loved and hated by his fans,but I guess Snoop Dogg is looking for a new market. And why is he looking for a new market?Well, following the success of his TV shows 'Doggy Fizzle Televizzle' and his E! Entertainment show 'Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood,' it doesn't hurt to continue trying new ideas in a field you're good at. I personally tried to listen to 'Snoop Dogg Millionaire,' but I just couldn't. About a minute into the track I wanted to floss with razor wire, but that's just my morbid opinion on it. It very well might not be yours if you are a big Snoop Dogg fan.

I'm hoping that other people have a more positive opinion on Snoop Dogg's new endeavor. If you have heard the track please drop us a comment and tell us what you think of it.

RATE:

• 
  

(3.0) 51

Desi Hits! Exclusive Interview With Sonu Niigaam

March 17 2009 20:30 PST

By: Anita Chatterjee

Sonu Niigaam is the man of the moment in the Hindi music industry today! Check out the exclusive interview with Sonu below.

AC: You have been in the Hindi Music industry since around 1991. I'm sure you have seen a lot of changes since then. How has it evolved?

Sonu: When I came to Mumbai from Delhi at age of 18 in 1991 there was no television channels or music companies to promote an album. So at that time, if you wanted to be in the industry, the best way to get into it was to pursue a career as a playback singer (singing for actors who would lip-sync the songs in Bollywood films). That was the aim of every singer.

The rest of the world was very different from how India worked back then. In other countries you could feature your own sound and get exposure through different music companies. You wouldn't have to depend on cinema. That's how India has been for more than 60 years. Now things have changed. Channels have given musicians more exposure. I hosted one of the biggest music reality shows in Asia, "Sa Re Gama," which really gave artists more exposure.

Now, you also see private as well as Bollywood albums in the market. I personally have done several private albums as well as Bollywood and Indie pop so things are changing. Also, a lot of avenues have opened up for singers such as songs for television, music videos, and an increase with music reality shows. In 1991 you had to be a really good singer to sing. Today, with all the technological advances it has become possible for people who cannot sing well to do it and that seems to happen a lot.

AC: Wouldn't you say that Bollywood films still dominate the music industry?

Sonu: Bollywood films still dominate but there is also a huge emphasis on events and television as well.

AC: Do you have any personal favorite Bollywood actors you like to sing for?

Sonu: I love to sing for Shahrukh and Salman but really I am a musician and I don't necessarily sing a song for the actor.

AC: What do you think of Bollywood movies embracing other genres of music like Hip-Hop and Rock?

Sonu: Well everyone is trying to embrace different kinds of music and they want to be more commercial. Indian film music has changed a lot in terms of style and arrangement. I think it is cool that genres like Hip-Hop are really showing up in the music now, just for some variety.

AC: What do you think about all the Collaborations like Snoop Dogg and RDB in Singh is Kinng?

Sonu: I am very happy that India is getting so much respect from other countries and collaborations are happening.

AC: Did you like the Pussycat Dolls "Jai Ho" Remix?

Sonu: I was one of the first to hear the Jai Ho remix. A.R. Rahman called me into the studio to listen to it and I loved it.

AC: Which artist from the west which you like to collaborate with?

Sonu: Well there are a lot of people I listen to and I think they are really good like John Legend, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, Norah Jones. Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls is a good singer as well. I would love to do a song with the Black Eyed Peas and a lot of other rappers. I would love to work with Timbaland and Justin Timberlake.

AC: I hear you are working with A.R. Rahman and Kylie Minogue on the film, "Blue", can you tell me about it?

Sonu: I can say is that Kylie, me and A.R. Rahman worked on a track for the film and I sang for Akshay Kumar.

AC: So what's next for Sonu Niigaam?

Sonu: I have lived my life in a daze and I don't know how my fifteen years in the industry have passed. For the past two years, I have cracked down on the projects I work on and I am extremely cautious of the projects I pick. I am really trying to focus on quality now and not quantity. I don't want to exhaust myself. I am currently working on '3 Idiots', 'Ravan' and 'Blue' and I am working on some collaboration offers from the US. I will also be working on something with Jim Beanz from Timbaland's camp in Mumbai.

AC: Do you have a message you want to give to our readers?

Sonu: Yes, always do good deeds, do not ever behave mediocre in life. Remember that music is something very pure and we must respect and acknowledge good music in the world. There are people in the world that are blessed with good talent and they should use it. Lastly, I think your site is doing a great job by creating these collaborations between artists in India with ones in the US. I wish Desi Hits! the best.

RATE:

• 
  

(5.0) 85

The Network of Indian Professionals Heads to Toronto

March 17 2009 19:10 PST

NetIP (The Network of Indian Professionals), a predominately U.S. based organization, is heading to Toronto, Canada after ten years for their annual conference this September. Toronto is known for its ethnic diversity as well as in the areas of politics, business, media, arts and entertainment.

NetIP's President Aruna Paramasivam said about the event, "I am very excited about transcending borders to establish our presence in Canada to truly become NetIP North America in 2009. Toronto is an exciting and energetic city that is the perfect setting for the dynamic professionals of NetIP NA to congregate at for this signature three day Annual Conference on Labour Day weekend. I look forward to our Conference serving as the connecting point for all South Asians representing all niches, with the goal of sharing our expertise and experiences so as to elevate the individual and collective South Asian success story on a community and mainstream level."

The conference will be hosted at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel and will gather over 800 members who will take part in the event. There will be South Asians from regional, national, and international levels who will get to listen to keynote speeches, participate in panel discussions, workshops, mixers, galas, parties, and even some excursions around the beautiful city. There will probably be discussions on the roles that Desi people play in society and especially in the work place. It's an exciting event for South Asians as it brings professional Indian people into one area, showing on its own the impact that Desi people are having in North America. The conference's theme of 'BELIEVE! CREATE! ACHIEVE!' will of course make everyone feel involved in a gathering that is really important for South Asians everywhere.

So what do our readers think about an event of this magnitude? Do you think that this event's network should broaden their scope of South Asians to include those in other areas as well? Tell us your thoughts in a comment below.

RATE:

• 
  

(5.0) 85

Desi St. Patrick's Day?

March 17 2009 18:15 PST

St. Patrick's Day may have been a completely religious holiday in the past, but today it seems like a day that people from all backgrounds get together to celebrate the day. So what about Desi people who decide to be Irish for a day?

There's no denying that St. Patrick's Day has become a day of over indulgence and admittedly a little debauchery. But St. Patrick's Day religiously doesn't have much to do with leprechauns, beer, or the color green. It was a holiday to celebrate St. Patrick, a man who is responsible for converting about 120,000 druids in Ireland from paganism to Christianity. But since the holiday spread to North America, it's almost customary to see people of all religious backgrounds, races, and creeds sporting a little green.

In Chicago, Illinois, the Chicago River is dyed green each year. In Boston, Massachusetts and New York City there are parades in addition to drinking, people donning green and leprechaun paraphernalia. There are even (believe it or not) Desi St. Patrick's Day parties. One taking place in California boasts on being the "GET LUCKY": Official Desi St. Patrick's Day Bash. So what's wrong with being a little green once a year? Desi people can celebrate by eating some Matar Paneer with a pint of Guinness, remixing some Irish melodies to have Desi flavor, or by wearing some green Desi clothing. Whatever you enjoy about the Americanized St. Patrick's Day can also be turned into a more Desi St. Patrick's Day including clovers, leprechauns, and of course, beer.

So we want to know if Desi Hits! readers do anything for St. Patrick's Day? Is this a fun holiday that brings a little Irish out in you that doesn't exist the rest of the year? Let us know your thoughts on all the St. Patrick's Day celebrations and whether or not you celebrate them.

RATE:

• 
  

(4.5) 77

50 Cent To Release Two Albums This Year

March 17 2009 17:15 PST

Rap superstar 50 Cent is ready to release two albums this year instead of just the one album we've been anticipating for the last few months or so. Just like his boss and label mate Eminem, 50 has a surplus of music that he wants to get out to his fans and he can't wait to get them both done.

"What they don't know ... the new announcement is that I'm dropping two albums," said 50 Cent. "I've had an opportunity to record since I thought I was releasing an album in December. But the portion of my record that I recorded with Dr. Dre was incomplete, because there was no opportunity to mix it. The only song that was mixed that I worked on with Dr. Dre is 'I Get It In - that one is out now. It's cool, but I need the rest of them to be mixed before I can present my project to the public."

The question you might have is, 'Since he's having so much trouble putting out one record, how is he going to put out two?' Well we'll have to wait and see, but the plan is for Eminem to come out with 'Relapse' on May 19, then 50 Cent's 'Before I Self-Destruct' album to follow one month after. Then, to capitalize on the 4th quarter album sales frenzy, Eminem will release his 2nd album of the year 'Relapse 2' and then once again, a month after, 50 follows up with his 2nd album, which doesn't have a title at the moment. This will be his first album since 2007's 'Curtis.'

While we continue to patiently wait for 50 Cent's now two albums, he will be on tour with none other than rock act Fall Out Boy. Yes, weird pairing, right? He will be performing five shows on their Believers Never Die Part Deux tour, opening up for them. 50 Cent? An opening act? Maybe that loss to Kanye West during their first week sales competition did more damage than we thought it did.

While these two artists are Interscope Records' biggest artists, they definitely have a ton of records to put out by artists like Dr. Dre, Wale, Drake, and Charles Hamilton, not to mention the pop and rock artists they have too, so it'll be interesting to see whether 50 Cent is right or if he's just blowing hot air.

So, it's time that you guys tell us what you think of 4 albums between Eminem and 50 Cent this year. Is it overkill? Can you not get enough of Shady /Aftermath artists? Drop us a comment and let us know what you think.

RATE:

• 
  

(0.0) 0

The Asian Woman Runway Model Scout Tour 2009 Launch Party Goes Bhangra

March 17 2009 15:40 PST

There are a lot of launch parties that take place every day in some of the world's best locations. They are a combination of great people, exquisite food, and hot music. So who wouldn't want to go to a party that brings sexy Asian models and hot names in Bhangra and the Urban Desi together at one event? Well look no further than The Asian Woman Runway Model Scout Tour 2009 Launch Party which takes place on Thursday March 26th.

The event is put together by the Asian Woman Runway whose models have appeared in everything from films, advertising, fashion shows, and many more entertainment avenues. This show will take place in London and allow scouts to be on the lookout for fresh faced talent for the modeling world. Best of all is the event's music list, which is one that will make fans jealous that they couldn't be there. On the long list of performers are names like H Dhami, Tasha, Ash King, and Serese, while the top DJs who will be spinning on the decks include DJ H, DJ Dips, DJ Sachy, and Martin 2Smoove. They are sure to make the launch party an evening that everyone will remember and definitely get the crowd going as well as the models.

So we wonder if any of our readers have what it takes to strut their stuff across a runway. Check out the poster of the event that is going to take place in a little over a week. Does the hot list of performers make you wish you could take part? Or would you rather go so you can be the first to check out some up and coming model talent? Let us know your thoughts on this event and leave your comments about the star studded performer list.

RATE:

• 
  

(5.0) 85

What Makes These Urban Desi Girls Hot?

March 17 2009 14:35 PST

Hard Kaur, M.I.A., Kazz Kumar, Veronica and Tina Sugandh are some smoking hot women. We don't mean physically hot, although that aspect certainly can't be denied. We mean that these women have taken their go get 'em attitude and created careers for themselves that are out of this world. And the greatest part is that they are all South Asian women!

Hard Kaur is currently tearing up the dance floor and has kicking some serious butt on the Indian dance reality show, "Jhalak Dikhla Ja". At such a young age, she managed to become the first female Indian rapper and gain a solid fan base. She has made quite a name for herself in the UK as well and India.

Similarly, M.I.A. has been using her talents to produce, write songs, and perform. She has grown to international fame through hit songs like 'Paper Planes'.

Kazz Kumar another young, free spirited girl who has already done a world tour and is known for not only her music, but also her unique fashion sense.

While Veronica's voice has taken her career to places she may have never imagined, like the top of BBC's Asian music chart for starters.

And who can forget Tina Sugandh who is a multi-talented Mumbai born diva that plays tabla, dances, writes, and sings.

All of these femme fatales have their own spark, talent, and success that have made them Urban Desi goddesses. So what is it about them that make them so hot? Is it luck mixed with talent or did these women just happen to be in the right place at the right time? We want you to think about these hot ladies and tell us what you think makes them such a hot success? Leave your comments and thoughts for us to read.

RATE:

• 
  

(3.0) 51