Gurdeep Samra
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| G Samra | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Gurdeep Samra | |
| Also known as | G Samra | |
| Born | May 5, 1983 | |
| Origin | Oxford, England, UK | |
| Genre(s) | World Music, Asian Underground, Hip-Hop | |
| Occupation(s) | Record Producer, DJ | |
| Instrument(s) | Drum Machine, Turntables | |
| Years active | 2003 – Current | |
| Website | http://www.gsamra.com/ | |
Gurdeep Samra (also known professionally as G Samra) is a British Asian music producer and DJ hailing from Bicester, UK. He was born in Oxford in 1983 and is of Jatt descent. He is currently a student of Oxford Brookes University and as an artist, he has a notable growing following.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Whilst growing up G Samra was influenced by both Hip-Hop and Bhangra but it was the unique fusion of both genres by DJ/producer Panjabi MC that inspired him to experiment and to produce his own music. Interestingly, the iconic Rave Magazine in it’s March 2006 edition compared G Samra’s style of music to that of Panjabi MC’s.
Between 1996 – 1998, G Samra started DJ’ing and became more heavily involved in the Drum & Bass music scene and culture. He would DJ during school vacations, travelling up to North London to DJ in small clubs and on TakTix FM, a short lived pirate radio station alongside his cousin, H25. Samra has not DJ’d as regularly since, focusing more on production.
In 2002, Samra visited India and by chance, met the legendary Panjabi folk singer, Surinder Shinda. Samra convinced Surinder Shinda to record a track with him. The track, Jatt Panjab became a minor radio favorite with specialist Asian music stations in the UK. This track attracted the attention of Markie Mark, a member of Panjabi Hit Squad, who was looking for new material for his compilation album, Desi Beats Vol 1. This album was released by the UK imprint of the Def Jam music label.
G Samra is also credited with being the first artist from the "world music" community to sell digital files of his music online via his web-site.
[edit] The First Cut EP
The First Cut EP was recorded during 2004 and came out in the UK in March 2005. It reached the number two position on the Asian Pop chart as reported by the official BBC Asian Network chart show. The EP was also officially released in Europe, Japan and Singapore in July 2005. The recording features six songs in total, two of which are sung by Surinder Shinda and Lehmber Hussainpuri, two of the most most notable Bhangra vocalists in modern music. However, the most popular track off of the E.P is Sharabbia, which has gone on to become a minor underground hit over Europe, thanks to the heavy support received from DJ’s and the rising popularity of the world music scene. The song features a previously unknown vocalist, Sukhwinder Gurewal. A remix to Sharabbia was also made for the Bollyhood album and has appeared on several notable mix-tapes from the US.
As the EP is a "white label" recording, no official sales data exists so the notability of the recording could be questioned although many would consider the EP to have been successful due to the popularity of two of the tracks, Sharabbia and Mittare Naie.
[edit] Wired for Sound EP
It is believed that Samra’s next project, Wired for Sound will be another independent release. Several promo tracks (single A sides) have been released but it is unclear if these tracks will feature on the final recording. In a recent interview with the BBC Asian Network, G Samra hinted at starting his own label.
[edit] Discography
- 2003 - Panjabi Hit Squad’s Desi Beats Vol 1 - Def Jam UK (Various Artists Comp)
- 2004 - Sharabbia - Gsamra.com (Single A-Side)
- 2005 - The First Cut EP - Gsamra.com
- 2005 - Ashlene Nand presents BHOOD - Bollyhood Records (Various Artists Comp)
- 2005 - Jade Foxx's LAWHT Mixtape 2 - Full Impact (Comp/Co-Producer)
- 2005 - Tappe Part 1 - Gsamra.com (Single A-Side)
- 2005 - Future World Funk’s On The Run - Ether Music (Various Artists Comp)
- 2006 - Beginners Guide to Asian Lounge - Nascente Music (Various Artists Comp)
- 2006 - Kurri Majajin - Gsamra.com (Single A-Side)
- 2006 - Naal Nachna - Gsamra.com (Single A-Side)
- 2006 - Nasty Girl Remix (for Jade Foxx) - Full Impact (Single A-Side)
- 2006 - Naughty Remix (for The Nominee) - Unified Mobstas (Single A-Side)
- 2007 - Wired for Sound EP - Gsamra.com (TBC 2007)
