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{{Short description|British-Indian rapper and producer (born 1973)}}
{{More footnotes|date=March 2015}}
{{More footnotes|date=March 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Panjabi MC}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
|name = Panjabi MC
| name             = Panjabi MC
|background = solo_singer
| background       = solo_singer
|image = London Mela 2010, Panjabi MC crop.jpg
| image             = London Mela 2010, Panjabi MC crop.jpg
|caption =Panjabi MC performing at [[Boishakhi Mela|London Mela]] in August 2010
| caption           = Panjabi MC performing at [[Boishakhi Mela|London Mela]] in August 2010
|birth_name = Rajveer Singh Dhami
| birth_name       = Rajinder Singh Rai
|birth_place = [[Coventry]], England
| birth_place       = [[Coventry]], [[Warwickshire]], England
|birth_date = {{birth_date and age|df=yes|1973|2|14}}
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1973|02|14}}
|genre = [[Bhangra (music)|Bhangra]], [[Electronic music|electronic]], [[alternative hip hop]], [[trip hop]], [[Asian Underground]]
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Bhangra (music)|Bhangra]]|[[Asian Underground]]|[[Electronic music|electronic]]|[[alternative hip-hop]]|[[trip hop]]}}
|occupation = Musician
| occupation       = Musician
|years_active = 1993–present
| years_active     = 1993–present
|label = Superstar Recordings (Germany)<br>[[Urban Records]]<br>PMC Records (UK)<br>[[Universal Records|Universal]] (India)<br>[[Ultra Music]]
| label             = {{hlist|[[Nachural Records]]|Superstar Recordings (Germany)|[[Urban Records]]|PMC Records (UK)|[[Universal Music Group|Universal]] (India)|[[Ultra Records]]}}
|associated_acts = [[Jay-Z]], [[Twista]], [[Snap!]], [[Labh Janjua]], [[Warren G]]  
| website           = {{url|panjabi-mc.com}}
|website ={{url|pmcrecords.com}}
}}
}}


'''Rajveer Dhami''' ([[Punjabi language|Punjabi]]: ਰਜਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ; born 14 February 1973), better known by his stage name '''Panjabi MC''', is a [[United Kingdom|British Indian]] recording artist, rapper, producer and DJ of [[Punjabi people|Punjabi]] ethnicity. He is best known for the worldwide [[bhangra (music)|bhangra]] hit "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]", which sold 10 million copies worldwide, making it [[List of best-selling singles|one of the best-selling singles of all time]]. Among other songs, he gained acclaim with the 2003 release "[[Jogi (Panjabi MC song)|Jogi]]". [[AllMusic]] has called him "one of the most prominent names in bhangra".<ref>{{cite web|author=Andy Kellman |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/panjabi-mc-mn0000004623/biography |title=Panjabi MC &#124; Biography & History |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |date=1973-02-14 |access-date=2016-02-28}}</ref>
'''Rajinder Singh Rai''' (born 14 February 1973), known professionally as '''Panjabi MC''', is a [[British Indians|British-Indian]] recording artist, rapper, record producer and DJ. He is best known for the worldwide [[Bhangra (music)|bhangra]] 2002 hit "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]", which sold 10 million copies worldwide, making it [[List of best-selling singles|one of the best-selling singles of all time]]. Among other songs, he also gained acclaim with the 2003 release "[[Jogi (Panjabi MC song)|Jogi]]". [[AllMusic]] has called him "one of the most prominent names in bhangra".<ref>{{cite web|author=Andy Kellman |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/panjabi-mc-mn0000004623/biography |title=Panjabi MC &#124; Biography & History |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |date=1973-02-14 |access-date=2016-02-28}}</ref>


==Career==
== Biography ==
Rajveer Dhami adopted his stage name from the [[Punjabi language]] he used in the music he plays and [[rapping]].<ref>[http://www.pmcrecords.com/index.php?page=414901]{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120190925/http://www.pmcrecords.com/index.php?page=414901|date=20 November 2007}}</ref> "One of [his] main goals is to fuse the two worlds [of [[Bhangra (music)|Bhangra]] and [[hip-hop]]]."<ref name="VV">{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0327,chadha,45230,1.html|title=Mix This Young South Asians' Love-Hate Relationship with Hip-Hop's New Bengali Beats|work=Village Voice |publisher=Villagevoice.com|access-date=2015-05-30}}</ref>
=== Career ===
Rajinder Singh Rai was born in [[Coventry]] to parents from [[Punjab, India]]. He adopted his stage name from the [[Punjabi language]] he uses in the music he plays and [[rapping|raps]].<ref>[http://www.pmcrecords.com/index.php?page=414901]{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120190925/http://www.pmcrecords.com/index.php?page=414901|date=20 November 2007}}</ref> "One of [his] main goals is to fuse the two worlds [of [[Bhangra (music)|bhangra]] and [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] music genres]".<ref name="VV">{{cite web|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0327,chadha,45230,1.html|title=Mix This Young South Asians' Love-Hate Relationship with Hip-Hop's New Bengali Beats|work=Village Voice|publisher=Villagevoice.com|access-date=2015-05-30|archive-date=8 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608151511/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0327,chadha,45230,1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>


[[Nachural Records]] signed Panjabi MC following a [[remix]] of [[Kuldeep Manak]]'s "Ghariah Milan De". Although the single was taken off the market, Panjabi MC continued making records. Another successful release was "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]" ("Beware of the Boys") (1998; it first appeared on the album ''Legalised'') which mixed the [[theme music|theme]] of the TV series ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]'' with [[Bhangra (music)|Bhangra]]. An underground hit on the internet, it was picked up by the German record label Superstar Recordings, and became a [[hit record]] in Germany and across Europe, including the UK. A version of this recording in 2003 featured American rapper [[Jay-Z]] titled "[[Beware of the Boys]]".
[[Nachural Records]] signed Panjabi MC following a [[remix]] he made of "Ghariah Milan De", a song by Indian Punjabi singer [[Kuldeep Manak]]; although the single was taken off the market, Panjabi MC continued making records. The first successful release, however, was "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]" ("Beware of the Boys" in Punjabi): it first appeared on the 1998 album ''Legalised'', and samples the [[theme music]] of the television series ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]'' with Bhangra music. Originally, an underground hit on the [[internet]], it was picked up by the [[German people|German]] record label ''Superstar Recordings'', and became a mainstream [[hit song]] across Europe, including Germany and UK.  


His work, particularly the early singles and the "Mundian To Bach Ke" remix with [[Jay-Z]], brought [[bhangra (music)|bhangra]] to a global audience via the [[BBC]]. He continues to produce and remix music. In 2004, he made music called "Mirza" and mixed this song with [[Turkish people|Turkish]] singer [[Mustafa Sandal]]'s "[[Isyankar]]", but they did not release the mixed version.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/nr6_britishasianmusic.pdf |format=PDF |title=Asian Allstars |access-date=28 December 2007 |last=Verma |first=Rahul |publisher=British Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817205455/http://www.britishcouncil.org/nr6_britishasianmusic.pdf |archive-date=17 August 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
In 2003 was released a version of this single featuring American rapper [[Jay-Z]], whose title was "[[Beware of the Boys]]"; in the same year he released [[Yogi]], a song which had not the success of the previous single but also topped the charts. His work, particularly the early singles and the "Mundian To Bach Ke" version with Jay-Z, brought Bhangra to a global audience via the [[BBC]]; he later continued to produce and remix music.  


His album ''Indian Timing'' was released in 2008. His music video "[[Snake Charmer (song)|Snake Charmer]]" was screened at Deejay Ra's music video night in [[Toronto]] at the FILMI festival, [[North America]]'s longest running South Asian film festival.
In 2004, he recorded a song called "Mirza" and mixed it with "[[Isyankar]]", a song by [[Turkish people|Turkish]] singer [[Mustafa Sandal]], but they did not release the remixed version.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcouncil.org/nr6_britishasianmusic.pdf |title=Asian Allstars |access-date=28 December 2007 |last=Verma |first=Rahul |publisher=British Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817205455/http://www.britishcouncil.org/nr6_britishasianmusic.pdf |archive-date=17 August 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2008 was released Panjabi MC's album ''Indian Timing''; the "[[Snake Charmer (song)|Snake Charmer]]" music video was screened at Deejay Ra's music video night in [[Toronto]] at the FILMI festival, [[North America]]'s longest running South Asian film festival.


The remix of "Mundian To Bach Ke" with Jay-Z appears on the soundtrack of the 2021 Netflix film ''[[The White Tiger (2021 film)|The White Tiger]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 27, 2021|title=The White Tiger - 2021 Netflix Movie Features Panjabi MC & JAY-Z|url=http://www.panjabi-mc.com/1/post/2021/01/the-white-tiger-2021-netflix-movie-features-panjabi-mc-jay-z.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-06-06|website=Panjabi MC|language=en}}</ref>
=== Remixes and samples made by Panjabi MC in his songs ===
Panjabi MC used "[[Planet Rock (song)|Planet Rock]]", a 1982 song by [[Afrika Bambaataa]], for his release "Pyar Wich (Planet Rock Remix)", before the latter could record "Indian Planet Rock"; this version by British-born Indian DJ's was included on the 1998 album ''Legalised''. On ''Indian Timing'', Panjabi MC used vocal samples from "[[Im Nin'alu]]", a 1984 song by Israeli singer [[Ofra Haza]]. On "Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee", a song released in 1998, Panjabi MC used the [[theme music]] from the television series ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]''. In "Mundian To Bach Ke", along with the subsequent remix version featuring [[Jay-Z]] "Beware of the Boys", the Dj used the bassline from the television series ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''.<ref name="VV"/> Both the last two songs were on the album ''Legalised'', released in 1998.


==Sampling==
=== Media use of Panjabi MC's songs ===
On ''Indian Timing'', Panjabi MC uses vocal samples from [[Ofra Haza]] "[[Im Nin'Alu]]". He used "[[Planet Rock (song)|Planet
The 1998 single "Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee", included later on the 2003 album ''Beware'', was featured on the television show ''[[Heroes (American TV series)|Heroes]]'' (episode 2, ''[[Don't Look Back (Heroes)|Don't Look Back]]'', aired on October 2, 2006). The 2001 song "Yaaran Kollon Sikh Kuriye" was featured in the television show ''[[Wildboyz]]'' as a music video. In the same year, Panjabi MC made his [[Canada|Canadian]] premiere at the Payal Banquet Hall in [[Mississauga (Ontario)|Mississauga]], [[Ontario]]. Deejay Ra hosted a TV special covering the event entitled "The Bhangramentary", which aired on the [[Asian Television Network]] (ATN). The 1998/2002 single "Mundian To Bach Ke" was featured in an episode of ''[[Queer as Folk (2000 TV series)|Queer as Folk]]'' television series and in the 2002 movie ''[[Bend It Like Beckham]]''; it also was featured, in the remix version of "Mundian To Bach Ke" with Jay-Z, on the soundtrack of the 2021 BAFTA-nominated Netflix film ''[[The White Tiger (2021 film)|The White Tiger]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 27, 2021|title=The White Tiger - 2021 Netflix Movie Features Panjabi MC & JAY-Z|url=http://www.panjabi-mc.com/1/post/2021/01/the-white-tiger-2021-netflix-movie-features-panjabi-mc-jay-z.html|access-date=2021-06-06|website=Panjabi MC|language=en}}</ref> Panjabi MC has also appeared on ''[[Top of the Pops]]'', from which the "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]" videoclip began to appear on music channels around the world in heavy rotation.
Rock]]" ("Pyar Wich (Planet Rock Remix)" on the album ''Legalised'') before [[Afrika Bambaataa]] recorded "Indian Planet Rock". On "''Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee''", Panjabi MC uses the theme music from the TV show ''[[Magnum, P.I.]]'' "Mundian To Bach Ke" (along with the subsequent remix version featuring [[Jay Z]], "Beware of the Boys") uses the bassline from the television show ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''.<ref name="VV"/>


==Television work==
Together with [[Sukhwinder Singh]] and [[Sapna Awasthi]], Panjabi MC remixed the popular song "[[Chaiyya Chaiyya]]" from the 1998 [[Cinema of India|Bollywood film]], ''[[Dil Se..]]''. This version played during opening and final credits for the 2006 [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood movie]] ''[[Inside Man]]''. Their song "[[Land of Five Rivers (song)|Land of Five Rivers]]" (the exact translation of Punjab) was used as a theme song for the [[WWE]] wrestler [[The Great Khali]], and featured on ''[[Voices: WWE The Music, Vol. 9]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/exclusive-interview-panjabi-mc-20081215|title=Desi Radio, Videos and MP3s, Bollywood Hindi Songs, Bhangra Music and Podcasts|publisher=Desihits.com|access-date=2015-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105090918/http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/exclusive-interview-panjabi-mc-20081215|archive-date=5 November 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2001, Panjabi MC made his Canadian premiere at the Payal Banquet Hall in Mississauga (Ontario). Deejay Ra hosted a TV special covering the event entitled "The Bhangramentary", which was aired on the Asian Television Network (ATN).  His single, "Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee", from ''Beware'', was featured on the television show ''[[Heroes (U.S. TV series)|Heroes]]'' (episode 2, ''[[Don't Look Back (Heroes)|Don't Look Back]]'', which aired 2 October 2006).  The single "Mundian To Bach Ke" was featured in an episode of ''[[Queer as Folk (North American TV series)|Queer as Folk]]'' and in the 2002 movie ''[[Bend It Like Beckham]]''. It also features in the BAFTA-nominated film ''[[The White Tiger (2021 film)|The White Tiger]]'' in 2020. The song "Yaaran Kollon Sikh Kuriye" was featured in the show ''[[Wild Boyz]]'' as a music video. Panjabi MC has appeared on ''[[Top of the Pops]]'', from which the video to "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]" began to appear on music channels across the globe.


Together with [[Sukhwinder Singh]] and [[Sapna Awasthi]], Panjabi MC remixed the popular song "[[Chaiyya Chaiyya]]" from the [[Bollywood]] film, ''[[Dil Se..]]''. This song was used as the background during opening credits for the Hollywood movie ''[[Inside Man]]''. Their song "Land of Five Rivers", used as a theme song for the [[WWE]] wrestler [[The Great Khali]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/exclusive-interview-panjabi-mc-20081215|title=Desi Radio, Videos and MP3s, Bollywood Hindi Songs, Bhangra Music and Podcasts|publisher=Desihits.com|access-date=2015-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091105090918/http://www.desihits.com/blog/article/exclusive-interview-panjabi-mc-20081215|archive-date=5 November 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> features on ''[[Voices: WWE The Music, Vol. 9]]''.
== Discography ==
 
=== Studio albums ===
==Discography==
* ''Souled Out'' (1993, [[Nachural Records]])
===Studio albums===
* ''Souled Out'' (1993, Nachural Records)
* ''Another Sell Out'' (1994, Nachural Records)
* ''Another Sell Out'' (1994, Nachural Records)
* ''100% Proof'' (1995, Nachural Records)
* ''100% Proof'' (1995, Nachural Records)
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* ''Magic Desi'' (1996)
* ''Magic Desi'' (1996)
* ''Legalised'' (1998, Nachural Records)
* ''Legalised'' (1998, Nachural Records)
* ''Dhol Jageroo Da'' (2001, Moviebox)
* ''Dhol Jageero Da'' (2001, Moviebox)
* ''Desi'' (2002, Moviebox)
* ''Desi'' (2002, Moviebox)
* ''Indian Breaks'' (2003, Compagnia Nuove Indye)
* ''Indian Breaks'' (2003, [[Compagnia Nuove Indye]])
* ''Mundian To Bach Ke'' (2003, Compagnia Nuove Indye)
* ''[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]'' (2003, Compagnia Nuove Indye)
* ''The Album'' (German version: Superstar/ Warner; Germany) (French version: Scorpio; France) (UK Version: Instant Karma) (2003)
* ''The Album'' (German version: Superstar/[[Warner Music Group|Warner]]; Germany) (French version: [[Scorpio Music|Scorpio]]; France) (UK Version: [[Instant Karma (record label)|Instant Karma]]) (2003)
* ''Beware'' (American version of "The Album"; 2003, Sequence)
* ''Beware'' (American version of "The Album"; 2003, Sequence)
* ''Steel Bangle'' (2005, Moviebox)
* ''Steel Bangle'' (2005, Moviebox)
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* ''56 Districts'' (2019, PMC Records)
* ''56 Districts'' (2019, PMC Records)


===Compilation albums===
=== Compilation albums ===
* ''Sentello II'' (2004, Korsan Cd)
* ''Illegal'' (2006, Nupur Audio)
* ''Illegal'' (2006, Nupur Audio)
* ''Sentello II'' (2004, Korsan Cd)


===EPs===
=== EPs ===
* ''Jatt Ho Gya Sharabi'' (1996, Nachural Records)
* ''Jatt Ho Gya Sharabi'' (1996, Nachural Records)
* ''Mirza Part Two'' (1997, Nachural Records)
* ''Mirza Part Two'' (1997, Nachural Records)
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=== Singles ===
=== Singles ===
'''<big>As lead artist</big>'''
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
|+ '''List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name'''
|+ List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:10em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
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! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
|-
|-
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="US-singles">{{cite web | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/panjabi-mc/chart-history/hot-100 | title=Panjabi MC – Chart History: Hot 100 | work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"| [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="US-singles">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/panjabi-mc/chart-history/hsi/ | title=Panjabi MC – Chart History: Hot 100 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br> R&B]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/panjabi-mc/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs | title=Panjabi MC – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs | work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US<br> R&B]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/panjabi-mc/chart-history/bsi/ | title=Panjabi MC – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Dance/Electronic Singles Sales|US<br>Dance]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/panjabi-mc/chart-history/DSA | title=Panjabi MC – Chart History: Dance Single Sales | work=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%;"|[[Dance/Electronic Singles Sales|US<br>Dance]]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/panjabi-mc/chart-history/dsa/ | title=Panjabi MC – Chart History: Dance Single Sales | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS">{{cite web | url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Panjabi+MC | title=Discography Panjabi MC | work=australian-charts.com | publisher=Hung Medien | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"| [[ARIA Charts|AUS]]<br /><ref name="AUS">Peaks in Australia:
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Ultratop|BEL]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/1531/Panjabi-MC-Mundian-to-bach-ke | title=Discography Panjabi MC | work=Ultratop| access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
*"Mundian To Bach Ke": {{cite web | url=http://australian-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Panjabi+MC | title=Discography Panjabi MC | work=australian-charts.com | publisher=Hung Medien | access-date=October 26, 2019}} Panjabi Mc toured Australia in August 2009 and had Australian born Sicilianbeats as his supporting act.
*"Jogi": {{cite Ryan|page=212}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Ultratop|BEL]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/1531/Panjabi-MC-Mundian-to-bach-ke | title=Discography Panjabi MC | work=Ultratop | access-date=October 26, 2019 | archive-date=22 November 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122115311/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/1531/Panjabi-MC-Mundian-to-bach-ke | url-status=live }}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Canadian Hot 100|CAN]]
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Tracklisten|DEN]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://danishcharts.dk/showperson.asp?name=Panjabi+MC | title=Discography Panjabi MC | work=DanishCharts| access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Tracklisten|DEN]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://danishcharts.dk/showperson.asp?name=Panjabi+MC | title=Discography Panjabi MC | work=DanishCharts| access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[GfK Entertainment|GER]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche | title=Discography Punjabi MC | work=OfficialGermanCharts | access-date=October 26, 2019}}
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[GfK Entertainment|GER]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche | title=Discography Punjabi MC | work=OfficialGermanCharts | access-date=October 26, 2019 | archive-date=2 November 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102071930/http://i.imgur.com/My5ZAxf.jpg | url-status=live }}
* "Mundian to bach ke": {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-5425|title=Mundian to Bach Ke Chart History|work=OfficialGermanCharts|access-date=26 October 2019}}
* "Mundian to bach ke": {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-5425|title=Mundian to Bach Ke Chart History|work=OfficialGermanCharts|access-date=26 October 2019|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411192750/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-5425|url-status=live}}
* "Jogi": {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-5623|title=Jogi Chart History|work=OfficialGermanCharts|access-date=26 October 2019}}</ref>
* "Jogi": {{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-5623|title=Jogi Chart History|work=OfficialGermanCharts|access-date=26 October 2019|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407223351/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-5623|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Irish Singles Chart|IRL]]<br /><ref name="IRL">{{cite web|url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement|title=Discographie Panjabi MC|publisher=Irish Charts|format=search "Punjabi MC" in Artists search|access-date=October 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721125210/http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[Irish Singles Chart|IRL]]<br /><ref name="IRL">{{cite web|url=http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement|title=Discographie Panjabi MC|publisher=Irish Charts|format=search "Punjabi MC" in Artists search|access-date=October 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721125210/http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement|archive-date=21 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
!style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%"|[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|FRA]]<br /><ref name="FRA-singles">{{cite web | url=https://lescharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=panjabi+mc&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts | title=Panjabi MC – Chart History: France Singles | work=Billboard | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
!style="width:2.5em;font-size:90%"|[[Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|FRA]]<br /><ref name="FRA-singles">{{cite magazine | url=https://lescharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&artist=panjabi+mc&artist_search=starts&title=&title_search=starts | title=Panjabi MC – Chart History: France Singles | magazine=Billboard | access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|ITA]]<br /><ref name="ITA">{{cite web | url=http://italiancharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&search=panjabi+mc| title=Italian Song Chart| access-date=October 26, 2019 |publisher=italiancharts.com}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana|ITA]]<br /><ref name="ITA">{{cite web | url=http://italiancharts.com/search.asp?cat=s&search=panjabi+mc| title=Italian Song Chart| access-date=October 26, 2019 |publisher=italiancharts.com}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]<br /><ref name="SWI">{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/artist/panjabi_mc|title=Discographie Panjabi MC|publisher=Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien | format=select "Charts" tab| access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"| [[Swiss Hitparade|SWI]]<br /><ref name="SWI">{{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/artist/panjabi_mc|title=Discographie Panjabi MC|publisher=Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien|format=select "Charts" tab|access-date=October 26, 2019|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026225045/http://www.swisscharts.com/artist/panjabi_mc|url-status=live}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/261/panjabi-mc/ | title=Panjabi MC – Official Charts Company | work=OfficialCharts| access-date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:2.3em;font-size:90%;"|[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/261/panjabi-mc/ | title=Panjabi MC – Official Charts Company | work=OfficialCharts | access-date=October 26, 2019 | archive-date=3 January 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103045013/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/261/panjabi-mc/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
|-
! scope="row"| "Ghariah Milan De"
! scope="row"| "Ghariah Milan De"
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|—
|—
|—
|—
|
|92
|55
|55
|—
|—
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|''Jogi EP''
|''Jogi EP''
|-
|-
! scope="row"|"Chaiyya Chaiyya"
! scope="row"|"[[Chaiyya Chaiyya]] (Bollywood Joint)"
|2006
|2006
|—
|—
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|
|
|-
|-
! scope="row"|"Land of Five Rivers"
! scope="row"|"[[Land of Five Rivers (song)|Land of Five Rivers]]"
|2009
|2009
|—
|—
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==Awards==
==Awards==
*2003: [[MTV Europe Music Awards]] – Best Dance Act – "Panjabi MC"<ref name=2003MTVEMA>{{cite news|title=MTV Europe Music Awards 2003 Winner|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_3249000/3249431.stm|publisher=News.bbc.co.uk|access-date=7 November 2003|date=7 November 2003}}</ref>
*2003: [[MTV Europe Music Awards]] – Best Dance Act – "Panjabi MC"<ref name=2003MTVEMA>{{cite news|title=MTV Europe Music Awards 2003 Winner|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_3249000/3249431.stm|publisher=News.bbc.co.uk|access-date=7 November 2003|date=7 November 2003|archive-date=28 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128213200/http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_3249000/3249431.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
*2003: [[MOBO Awards]] – Best UK Act<ref name=MOBOAWARD>{{cite web|title= MOBO UK Act of the Year 2003 |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2003/0926/50cent.html|publisher=Rte.ie|date=26 September 2003|access-date=2015-05-30}}</ref>
*2003: [[MOBO Awards]] – Best UK Act<ref name=MOBOAWARD>{{cite web|title= MOBO UK Act of the Year 2003 |url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2003/0926/50cent.html|publisher=Rte.ie|date=26 September 2003|access-date=2015-05-30}}</ref>
*2003: [[UK Asian Music Awards]] – Best Single Bhangra – "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]"<ref name=2005brlaunch>{{cite web|title=BRITISH ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS 2004 LAUNCHED |url=http://www.redhotcurry.com/entertainment/music/brama_launch.htm |publisher=Redhotcurry.com |access-date=24 August 2010 |date=7 October 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210200827/http://www.redhotcurry.com/entertainment/music/brama_launch.htm |archive-date=10 February 2010 }}</ref>
*2003: [[UK Asian Music Awards]] – Best Single Bhangra – "[[Mundian To Bach Ke]]"<ref name=2005brlaunch>{{cite web|title=BRITISH ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS 2004 LAUNCHED |url=http://www.redhotcurry.com/entertainment/music/brama_launch.htm |publisher=Redhotcurry.com |access-date=24 August 2010 |date=7 October 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210200827/http://www.redhotcurry.com/entertainment/music/brama_launch.htm |archive-date=10 February 2010 }}</ref>
*2003: [[World Music Awards]] – World's Best Indian Artist<ref>https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/68677/2003-world-music-awards-winners</ref>
*2003: [[World Music Awards]] – World's Best Indian Artist<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/68677/2003-world-music-awards-winners|title = 2003 World Music Awards Winners| magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref>
*2011: Punjabi Music Awards – Best Sound Recording – "Moorni"{{cn|date=September 2020}}
*2011: Punjabi Music Awards – Best Sound Recording – "Moorni"{{cn|date=September 2020}}
*2011: [[Brit Asia TV Music Awards]] – Best Single – "Moorni" and Best Asian Music Producer<ref name=BAMA2011>{{cite news |title=Brit Asia TV Music Awards 2011 "AND THE WINNERS ARE..." |url=https://punjab2000.com/brit-asia-tv-music-awards-2011-qand-the-winners-areq/ |access-date=3 September 2020 |work=Punjab2000.com |date=3 October 2011}}</ref>
*2011: [[Brit Asia TV Music Awards]] – Best Single – "Moorni" and Best Asian Music Producer<ref name=BAMA2011>{{cite news |title=Brit Asia TV Music Awards 2011 "AND THE WINNERS ARE..." |url=https://punjab2000.com/brit-asia-tv-music-awards-2011-qand-the-winners-areq/ |access-date=3 September 2020 |work=Punjab2000.com |date=3 October 2011}}</ref>
*2018: Brit Asia TV Music Awards – Outstanding Achievement<ref name=BAMA2018>{{cite news |last1=Anusha |first1=Nava |title=BritAsia TV Music Awards 2018 Winners |url=https://www.desiblitz.com/content/britasia-tv-music-awards-2018-winners |access-date=19 August 2020 |work=www.desiblitz.com |date=11 October 2018}}</ref>
*2018: Brit Asia TV Music Awards – Outstanding Achievement<ref name=BAMA2018>{{cite news |last1=Anusha |first1=Nava |title=BritAsia TV Music Awards 2018 Winners |url=https://www.desiblitz.com/content/britasia-tv-music-awards-2018-winners |access-date=19 August 2020 |work=www.desiblitz.com |date=11 October 2018 |archive-date=29 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629091815/https://www.desiblitz.com/content/britasia-tv-music-awards-2018-winners |url-status=live }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040129135854/http://panjabi-mc.com/ Official website]
* {{official|https://www.panjabi-mc.com/}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Electronic}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Electronic}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Panjabi MC}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Panjabi MC}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:British people of Punjabi descent]]
[[Category:British people of Punjabi descent]]
[[Category:British rappers of Indian descent]]
[[Category:British rappers of Indian descent]]
[[Category:English people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Desi musicians]]
[[Category:Desi musicians]]
[[Category:British hip hop DJs]]
[[Category:British Asian musicians]]
[[Category:British hip-hop DJs]]
[[Category:English DJs]]
[[Category:English DJs]]
[[Category:English record producers]]
[[Category:English record producers]]
[[Category:Hip hop record producers]]
[[Category:Hip-hop record producers]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Asian Underground musicians]]
[[Category:Asian Underground musicians]]
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[[Category:Musicians from Coventry]]
[[Category:Musicians from Coventry]]
[[Category:Bhangra (music) musicians]]
[[Category:Bhangra (music) musicians]]
[[Category:Electronica musicians]]
[[Category:Universal Music Group artists]]
[[Category:Ultra Records artists]]

Latest revision as of 15:20, 12 March 2026


Panjabi MC
Panjabi MC performing at London Mela in August 2010
Panjabi MC performing at London Mela in August 2010
Background information
Birth nameRajinder Singh Rai
Born (1973-02-14) 14 February 1973 (age 53)
Coventry, Warwickshire, England
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Years active1993–present
Labels
Websitepanjabi-mc.com

Rajinder Singh Rai (born 14 February 1973), known professionally as Panjabi MC, is a British-Indian recording artist, rapper, record producer and DJ. He is best known for the worldwide bhangra 2002 hit "Mundian To Bach Ke", which sold 10 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. Among other songs, he also gained acclaim with the 2003 release "Jogi". AllMusic has called him "one of the most prominent names in bhangra".[1]

Biography[edit | edit source]

Career[edit | edit source]

Rajinder Singh Rai was born in Coventry to parents from Punjab, India. He adopted his stage name from the Punjabi language he uses in the music he plays and raps.[2] "One of [his] main goals is to fuse the two worlds [of bhangra and hip-hop music genres]".[3]

Nachural Records signed Panjabi MC following a remix he made of "Ghariah Milan De", a song by Indian Punjabi singer Kuldeep Manak; although the single was taken off the market, Panjabi MC continued making records. The first successful release, however, was "Mundian To Bach Ke" ("Beware of the Boys" in Punjabi): it first appeared on the 1998 album Legalised, and samples the theme music of the television series Knight Rider with Bhangra music. Originally, an underground hit on the internet, it was picked up by the German record label Superstar Recordings, and became a mainstream hit song across Europe, including Germany and UK.

In 2003 was released a version of this single featuring American rapper Jay-Z, whose title was "Beware of the Boys"; in the same year he released Yogi, a song which had not the success of the previous single but also topped the charts. His work, particularly the early singles and the "Mundian To Bach Ke" version with Jay-Z, brought Bhangra to a global audience via the BBC; he later continued to produce and remix music.

In 2004, he recorded a song called "Mirza" and mixed it with "Isyankar", a song by Turkish singer Mustafa Sandal, but they did not release the remixed version.[4] In 2008 was released Panjabi MC's album Indian Timing; the "Snake Charmer" music video was screened at Deejay Ra's music video night in Toronto at the FILMI festival, North America's longest running South Asian film festival.

Remixes and samples made by Panjabi MC in his songs[edit | edit source]

Panjabi MC used "Planet Rock", a 1982 song by Afrika Bambaataa, for his release "Pyar Wich (Planet Rock Remix)", before the latter could record "Indian Planet Rock"; this version by British-born Indian DJ's was included on the 1998 album Legalised. On Indian Timing, Panjabi MC used vocal samples from "Im Nin'alu", a 1984 song by Israeli singer Ofra Haza. On "Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee", a song released in 1998, Panjabi MC used the theme music from the television series Magnum, P.I.. In "Mundian To Bach Ke", along with the subsequent remix version featuring Jay-Z "Beware of the Boys", the Dj used the bassline from the television series Knight Rider.[3] Both the last two songs were on the album Legalised, released in 1998.

Media use of Panjabi MC's songs[edit | edit source]

The 1998 single "Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee", included later on the 2003 album Beware, was featured on the television show Heroes (episode 2, Don't Look Back, aired on October 2, 2006). The 2001 song "Yaaran Kollon Sikh Kuriye" was featured in the television show Wildboyz as a music video. In the same year, Panjabi MC made his Canadian premiere at the Payal Banquet Hall in Mississauga, Ontario. Deejay Ra hosted a TV special covering the event entitled "The Bhangramentary", which aired on the Asian Television Network (ATN). The 1998/2002 single "Mundian To Bach Ke" was featured in an episode of Queer as Folk television series and in the 2002 movie Bend It Like Beckham; it also was featured, in the remix version of "Mundian To Bach Ke" with Jay-Z, on the soundtrack of the 2021 BAFTA-nominated Netflix film The White Tiger.[5] Panjabi MC has also appeared on Top of the Pops, from which the "Mundian To Bach Ke" videoclip began to appear on music channels around the world in heavy rotation.

Together with Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi, Panjabi MC remixed the popular song "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from the 1998 Bollywood film, Dil Se... This version played during opening and final credits for the 2006 Hollywood movie Inside Man. Their song "Land of Five Rivers" (the exact translation of Punjab) was used as a theme song for the WWE wrestler The Great Khali, and featured on Voices: WWE The Music, Vol. 9.[6]

Discography[edit | edit source]

Studio albums[edit | edit source]

  • Souled Out (1993, Nachural Records)
  • Another Sell Out (1994, Nachural Records)
  • 100% Proof (1995, Nachural Records)
  • Grass Roots (1996, Nachural Records)
  • Magic Desi (1996)
  • Legalised (1998, Nachural Records)
  • Dhol Jageero Da (2001, Moviebox)
  • Desi (2002, Moviebox)
  • Indian Breaks (2003, Compagnia Nuove Indye)
  • Mundian To Bach Ke (2003, Compagnia Nuove Indye)
  • The Album (German version: Superstar/Warner; Germany) (French version: Scorpio; France) (UK Version: Instant Karma) (2003)
  • Beware (American version of "The Album"; 2003, Sequence)
  • Steel Bangle (2005, Moviebox)
  • Indian Timing (2008, PMC Records)
  • The Raj (2010, PMC Records)
  • 56 Districts (2019, PMC Records)

Compilation albums[edit | edit source]

  • Sentello II (2004, Korsan Cd)
  • Illegal (2006, Nupur Audio)

EPs[edit | edit source]

  • Jatt Ho Gya Sharabi (1996, Nachural Records)
  • Mirza Part Two (1997, Nachural Records)
  • Switchin' (2000, Moviebox)

Singles[edit | edit source]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[7]
US
R&B

[8]
US
Dance

[9]
AUS
[10]
BEL
[11]
CAN DEN
[12]
GER
[13]
IRL
[14]
FRA
[15]
ITA
[16]
SWI
[17]
UK
[18]
"Ghariah Milan De" 1995 Non-album single
"Mundian To Bach Ke" 1998 Legalised
"Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee" Jatt Ho Gya Sharabi
"Yaaran Kollon Sikh Kuriye" 2001 The Album
"Mundian To Bach Ke"
(featuring Jay-Z)
2003 33 21 3 12 3 10 5 2 14 15 1 4 5 Legalised
"Jogi" 92 55 12 47 75 30 8 25 Jogi EP
"Chaiyya Chaiyya (Bollywood Joint)" 2006 Non-album singles
"Snake Charmer" 2007
"Land of Five Rivers" 2009
"Moorni (Balle Balle)" 2010
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Andy Kellman (14 February 1973). "Panjabi MC | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  2. [1]Archived 20 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Mix This Young South Asians' Love-Hate Relationship with Hip-Hop's New Bengali Beats". Village Voice. Villagevoice.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2008. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  4. Verma, Rahul. "Asian Allstars" (PDF). British Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2007.
  5. "The White Tiger - 2021 Netflix Movie Features Panjabi MC & JAY-Z". Panjabi MC. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  6. "Desi Radio, Videos and MP3s, Bollywood Hindi Songs, Bhangra Music and Podcasts". Desihits.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  7. "Panjabi MC – Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  8. "Panjabi MC – Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  9. "Panjabi MC – Chart History: Dance Single Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  10. Peaks in Australia:
    • "Mundian To Bach Ke": "Discography Panjabi MC". australian-charts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 26 October 2019. Panjabi Mc toured Australia in August 2009 and had Australian born Sicilianbeats as his supporting act.
    • "Jogi": Template:Cite Ryan
  11. "Discography Panjabi MC". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  12. "Discography Panjabi MC". DanishCharts. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  13. "Discography Punjabi MC". OfficialGermanCharts. Archived from the original on 2 November 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  14. "Discographie Panjabi MC". Irish Charts. Archived from the original (search "Punjabi MC" in Artists search) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  15. "Panjabi MC – Chart History: France Singles". Billboard. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  16. "Italian Song Chart". italiancharts.com. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  17. "Discographie Panjabi MC" (select "Charts" tab). Swiss Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  18. "Panjabi MC – Official Charts Company". OfficialCharts. Archived from the original on 3 January 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
  19. "MTV Europe Music Awards 2003 Winner". News.bbc.co.uk. 7 November 2003. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2003.
  20. "MOBO UK Act of the Year 2003". Rte.ie. 26 September 2003. Retrieved 30 May 2015.
  21. "BRITISH ASIAN MUSIC AWARDS 2004 LAUNCHED". Redhotcurry.com. 7 October 2004. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  22. "2003 World Music Awards Winners". Billboard.
  23. "Brit Asia TV Music Awards 2011 "AND THE WINNERS ARE..."". Punjab2000.com. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
  24. Anusha, Nava (11 October 2018). "BritAsia TV Music Awards 2018 Winners". www.desiblitz.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2020.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:MTV Europe Music Award for Best Electronic