Life’s A Rap For Jazzy B

What are your memories of the early years?

I was five when my family moved to Vancouver. Like many Sikhs who worked as landowners in Punjab they had an easy transition in the sense that there was a large Sikh community in Vancouver and most of them were dabbling in agriculture. So they just resumed what they were doing back home. For as long as I can remember I loved music and was deeply influenced by Kuldip Manek.

I was four years old when Kuldip Manek came to my village to sing at a wedding. He sang his heart out and I was mesmerized. That memory is still so vivid in my mind. He has been the biggest influence and finally meeting him and recording with him was the major high of my life. As a kid I loved to sing and was never shy of singing before people. My parents however wanted me to study and find a regular job.

It was my uncle who encouraged me. I had already started performing with a band while in high school and I think that really kept me focused while others were bumming around. After school I was either playing ice hockey, which was and still is a passion. I still have my Wayne Gretzky hockey stick, or playing music.

Your hair style and outlandish clothes actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise because they set you apart from the others.

I was always different and many times people would comment about my appearance and say you are such a good singer, why do you have to dress that way? Why don't you change your hairstyle? It never stopped me from being myself and I told them look just because I dress a certain way doesn't make me any less of an Indian or a Sikh than you all. I'm as good a human being and as close to God as any of you. I have always believed in myself. People would look at me sticking out like a sore thumb and say "Oh look at that guy, he's weird. Look at his hair!" But it was a look I was comfortable with. Why should I change who I am for other people?

Sukhshinder Shinda then took you to another level.

Yes, I was a teenager when he first heard me at a mehfil and said you have a good voice and I would like to do something with you. He is in his early thirties and he started by just playing the Dhol and today he has a mastery over classical music and tabla and is perhaps one of the best music producers in the world. With every album we make, I learn more and more. When we came out with the first one, I don't think I really had much of a clue, but now we work for hours on end before we are both satisfied with the final product.

I grew up in Canada listening to traditional music of Punjab, but I was also exposed to rock, hip hop and reggae and I incorporated those in my music. Moving to England was a huge culture shock, but a pleasant one. People are so much more open minded and accepting and much more knowledgeable about our music. I think if we were to limit ourselves to traditional bhangra then it will remain in the villages of Punjab. To introduce it to the mainstream we have to make it accessible and attractive to people globally. Introducing other music genres into it makes it exciting. I have noticed that when I perform there is a vast non Indian crowd attending my concerts, and all of them respond to the beat, even when they don't understand what I'm singing. I have taken bhangra music to a higher level, but I also perform traditional stuff. In fact I always begin my concerts with a religious song and I change into traditional Punjabi attire when I perform traditional music. I switch to western gear later for other songs.

You have become a role model for many youngsters. Is that a big burden? I also see so many elders in your concerts?

I take it as a big responsibility though I always tell the youngsters that their parents are and should always be their main role models. It is however natural to be inspired and influenced by others. I was the same way. I too looked up to others. I feel particularly blessed to see the older generation attend my shows and sometimes they say things that overwhelm me. One gentleman came up to me after a show and said "saade mundey di umar tainu lag jaye." (May our son's longevity too be gifted to you) Who says such things to anyone? I try my best to make my music appeal to all age groups as well and tell the youngsters that if you have a dream and you feel passionately about it, then just go for it, don't ever give up. I didn't and even my parents finally turned around and gave me all their support. Today they are so proud of me.

I think Sikhs worldwide were affected though things were relatively calmer in the UK. It is such a shame to see that Sikhs have contributed so much to any country they have lived in and people still don't know who we really are. I think on a personal level, the way I look and dress may have affected the way the INS officers felt. It was very strange, but I have a feeling that hrefusal had something to do with some ego problems within the community and some elements who didn't want me to show up for the concert. They let my band through and told me they already knew I was there to perform a charity concert in Atlanta and they hrefused entry. They don't have to give a reason and I couldn't do a thing. Rumors ran rife all over the place, that I was a terrorist threat, that there were drugs involved. It was really disheartening. I'm glad things got sorted out and I was able to perform in Atlanta. I'm very proud to be a Sikh. I wear the Khanda in my necklace and I’m very proud of my culture and my religion that embraces all humanity.

You have come up with a couple of spiritual albums-something many bhangra kings wouldn't think of.

I had always wanted to do a religious album, even though they don't sell that well. Life is not always about money, but something happened that expedited the process. In 1997, I had major problems with my throat and in spite of major surgery I lost my voice and couldn't sing for more than a year. I cancelled so many concerts and felt so devastated. I thought that this is it. My career is finished and what am I going to do? Music is my life, this is all I know. I turned to God asking him for help. Miraculously I got my voice back and it has never sounded better according to people. The album was my way of acknowledging God's presence in my life. It did very well and was greatly appreciated. It was also an opportunity for me to introduce Sikhism to mainstream audiences.
 

I do take care of my voice. I have trained in classical music and I avoid fried and oily foods unless there is no other choice, and I go to the gym to stay fit, but this is really my true calling. It doesn't matter if I'm performing before 10 people or 10,000 - something happens to me when I'm on stage and I just get energized and the adrenalin just flows when I see people rocking to the beat sometimes they do get carried away. I remember one time a woman wanted to shake hands with me and as I bent down my lungi was pulled off. Mercifully it didn't come totally off, but hung there barely by a thread till someone came to my rescue! There have been other crazy fans too - letters written in blood and one time I was opening the door to my house and someone secretly clicked me and sent the picture. That was a bit scary.

I'm sure 'Gugiyan da Jora' must be a sentimental favorite since it was your first album but is there a song that you feel is perfect in every way? What is on the cards now?

I think 'Naag' was the one. It was such a huge hit all over the world and took me to a different level as a singer. My new album 'Romeo's is out and after a 60 concert tour in India, may be a movie and a new video may happen.

So does mom say to you Jazzy please get rid of that spiky hairdo at least now since you are a superstar? And what keeps you as grounded and thoughtful as you seem to be. I saw you patiently indulging all your fans and their little kids who kept toddling on stage.

Oh you know moms. I will always be Jaswinder for her, no matter how famous I get. My wife is pretty forthright about things too. I knew her before I became famous and she tells me like it is. I'm old fashioned that way. I believe in the sanctity of marriage. It is just the most wonderful thing to see an old married couple who have been together for many years.

One rarely sees that. Humility and gratitude for the blessings I have received is something that comes from my upbringing. My parents saw to it that we learnt to respect our elders and stayed grounded. Sukshinder Shinda took over from my parents when I left to move to UK. He said no matter how big a star you become you have no right to be disrespectful to any one.

It is also a fact that today whatever I am is because of my fans and I can never forget that.