*Panjabi
MC, who hit the charts recently with Mundian To
Bach Ke, and BBC Asian Network were among the winners
at the first UK Asian Music Awards in London.
This
has been more than a long, hot Indian summer - it
has been an Indian year.
With Bhangra
beats making their mark on the UK charts, the first
UK Asian Music Awards ceremony on Wednesday celebrated
the growing popularity of the urban Asian music
scene.
The BBC Asian Network staff were among the night's
winners
Multi-instrumentalist Nitin Sawhney opened the awards
show with a very special performance, which was
co-presented by Radio 1 DJ Nihal and Zee TV's Sangeeta.
While Panjabi
MC scooped the best Bhangra single award for the
Knight Rider remix, Mundian To Bach Ke, which stormed
the UK charts earlier this year, it was the new
knights Rishi Rich, featuring Jay Sean and Juggy
D who really stole the show.
Winning the
best producer and best R&B single awards, producer
Rishi Rich has worked with Craig David, Mis-teeq,
and the queen of pop, Britney Spears.
He is fast
establishing himself as the premier talent in the
urban Asian music scene.
Apache Indian
and Pras gave a fantastic performance
It was a night
for faces old and new. Indy Sagu won the award for
best newcomer; and just when you thought Boomshackalack
was a distant dance anthem of the 1990s, Asian pop
artist Apache Indian won the prize for best international
success. This followed a sensational live performance
with Pras from the Hip Hop group, The Fugees.
The outstanding
achievement award went to the "Godfather of
Bhangra" and celebrity DJ and producer Bally
Sagoo, hailing a career that has spanned over two
decades.
This prize
was picked by the panel and voted for by the public.
Nominated
in four categories, The Panjabi Hit Squad picked
up the gong for best radio DJ.
Group member
Markie Mark, a white DJ who co-hosts a radio show
on the BBC's 1Xtra station, also won the commitment
to the scene award.
Rishi Rich (centre) is congratulated on his awards.
He said: "Asian
culture is part of the fabric of British society.
"Asian
music is now in the mainstream. It isn't just a
fashion. We are building a foundation that will
last in the future."
The Asian
media also was also saluted. Snoop was voted the
best Asian magazine, whilst the BBC Asian Network
collected the best Asian radio station award.
The vibrant
sound of British Asian urban dance music has finally
made it into the club and it seems everyone is going
mad for it. Everyone is after a "brimful of
Asia".
The UK Asian
Music Awards 2003 will be televised on ITV (UK TV
Channel )on 11 November 2003.
News
Source: BBC
* Panjabi MC
also won best dance music award at the MTV awards
2003.
