Apache Indian

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This article is about the British-Indian Reggae artist. For the aboriginal Native American tribes, see Apache.

Apache Indian
Apache Indian
Background information
Birth name	Steven Kapur
Born	11 May 1967
Origin	Handsworth, Birmingham, UK
Genre(s)	Bhangramuffin Reggae
Occupation(s)	Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Entertainer, Actor
Instrument(s)	Vocals
Website	karmasound.com

Apache Indian is the stage name of reggae dee jay Steven Kapur (born on 11 May 1967 in Handsworth, Birmingham). With the collaboration of his cousins Simon & Diamond, he introduced the new hybrid sound of bhangra raggamuffin - also known as bhangramuffin - to the world with his first album "No Reservations" (produced by Simon & Diamond, Phil Chill, Robert Livingston, Bobby Digital and Sly Dunbar) in 1993. It was followed by "Make Way for the Indian" (produced by Sly & Robbie, The Press, Mafia & Fluxy, Pandit Dinesh and Chris Lane), which featured rapper Tim Dog and spawned the massive hit "Boomshackalak". "Real People" (produced by Harjinder Noparai) proved to be his most experimental album and also featured more Indian elements than the other albums. "Karma", his fourth album, was a return to more traditional forms of reggae. It featured Luciano, Boy George as well as Mafia & Fluxy.

Apache Indian merged raggamuffin with Indian music as well as influences from mainstream pop and hip hop. Born in Handsworth, Birmingham, England, Apache Indian started a trend that has found a huge following.

He is the only Asian to date to have seven Top 40 Hits on the mainstream British charts. Stylistically, Apache Indian moved from mixing Indian music with raggamuffin and (on his second album) hip hop to more traditional forms of reggae on his most recent album, "Karma".

Lyrically, Apache Indian usually sings in Jamaican Patois and is known for his sharp social criticism ("Arranged Marriage" featuring Natacha Atlas; "Mention") as well as his party tracks ("Boomshackalak", "Jump Up").

Apache Indian has recorded with Boyz II Men, Blackstreet, Wreckx 'n' Effect, UB40, US chart topper Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, General Levy, Brian and Tony Gold, Shaggy, Yami Bolo, Boy George, A. R. Rahman, Sameera Singh. Asha Bhosle and Pras of the Fugees, and recently with Jazzy B aka The Crown Prince of Bhangra and The Original Folksta on the album "Dil Luteya".

Reggae singer Sean Paul, who has been on the top of Billboard charts with his single with Beyoncé Knowles, toured the US with Apache Indian.

For his first album "No Reservation", he had signed a contract worth £250,000 pounds with Island Records - one of the largest sums paid for a debut album by a non-white artist.

"Boomshackalak" was featured in five different Hollywood movies, including "Dumb And Dumber". More significantly, the song has featured in a record 52 commercials across the globe, featuring various brands. It is also featured on the soundtrack for "Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed" soundtrack, along with artists such as Fatboy Slim, The B-52's, 2 Unlimited and New Radicals.

His single "Om Numah Shivaya" features on the Putumayo World Music compilation "World Reggae", which is a collection of reggae tracks performed by artists from around the world.

Apache Indian was also nominated for the Central Britain Media and Arts Asian Jewel Award in 2004.