Punjabi by Nature
Encyclopedia
Punjabi by Nature was a seven piece bhangra band founded in Toronto
in 1993.. They were nominated for a 1996 Juno Award
in the Best Global Album
category for their album Jmpn For Joy.. The band played many festivals throughout Canada, opening for acts such as the Beastie Boys
, Bass is Base
, and others.
Punjabi by Nature were unique in the bhangra band genre in that they were emphatic in that their target audience were not ethnic Indo-Canadians but people of all nationalities and ethnic groups. According to songwriter and vocalist Tony Singh, "We consider it to be Canadian music–I mean, what is Canada? Canada is a melting pot. So this is true multiculturalism. Our band members are not all Indian. We're also trying to prove a point–that you don't have to be Asian to like this kind of music. You don't have to be white to play rock music. You don't have to be black to play reggae. We're always trying to send a message across, to be against prejudice. I think the Asian people should really realize that prejudice is not just outside. It's within the community. If you don't open your door to your neighbour, then why should he open his door? Our community tends to stay within. You have to break the barriers and get out there. We don't care who's in the audience, or how they're dancing. They don't have to dance in a certain way, or look a certain way. We just want everyone to have a good time."
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
in 1993.. They were nominated for a 1996 Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
in the Best Global Album
Juno Awards of 1996
The Juno Awards of 1996, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 10 March 1996 in Hamilton, Ontario at a ceremony in the Copps Coliseum...
category for their album Jmpn For Joy.. The band played many festivals throughout Canada, opening for acts such as the Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
, Bass is Base
Bass is Base
Bass is Base was a Canadian R&B group from Toronto, Ontario, active during the 1990s.The band consisted of Chin Injeti on bass, Ivana Santilli on keyboards, and MC Mystic on percussion...
, and others.
Punjabi by Nature were unique in the bhangra band genre in that they were emphatic in that their target audience were not ethnic Indo-Canadians but people of all nationalities and ethnic groups. According to songwriter and vocalist Tony Singh, "We consider it to be Canadian music–I mean, what is Canada? Canada is a melting pot. So this is true multiculturalism. Our band members are not all Indian. We're also trying to prove a point–that you don't have to be Asian to like this kind of music. You don't have to be white to play rock music. You don't have to be black to play reggae. We're always trying to send a message across, to be against prejudice. I think the Asian people should really realize that prejudice is not just outside. It's within the community. If you don't open your door to your neighbour, then why should he open his door? Our community tends to stay within. You have to break the barriers and get out there. We don't care who's in the audience, or how they're dancing. They don't have to dance in a certain way, or look a certain way. We just want everyone to have a good time."
External links
- Jennings, Nicholas. East Meets West.