| Surj Sahota | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Surjit Sahota |
| Also known as | Surj, Sahotas |
| Born | 15 October 1969 |
| Origin | Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom |
| Genres | Bhangra Reggae Pop House Dance Fusion |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, music producer, musician, entertainer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1980 – present |
| Associated acts | Sahotas |
| Website | Official Website of Surj Sahota |
Surj Sahota is the lead singer/song-writer and music producer[1] of the band Sahotas whose work combines the Bhangra genre with Pop, House, Reggae and Rock, focusing on vocal styles and sounds. This transfusion occurred during the apex of Bhangra Music in the 1980s and 1990s when there was an abundance of Live British Asian Music across the United Kingdom; and when British Asian Music sought to be recognised by the mainstream music industry. The Sahotas were at the forefront of seeking this recognition, performing live on Cilla Black’s ‘Surprise, Surprise’, ‘Blue Peter’, '8:15 from Manchester' and 'Eggs 'n' Baker'. The Sahotas also joined Apache Indian on Carton TV's Soul Music and performed the soulful spiritual song 'Urdaas (Prayer)'.
The band were signed by Miles Copeland III's EMI Records, who at the time was Sting's Manager. The single 'Out of Reach' and the album 'Right Time' reached the UK Top 100, the first for a British Asian Artist. This was closely followed by a nationwide tour with top reggae band ‘Aswad’.
Sahotas toured and explored the world of music in Africa, India, Pakistan, the US, Canada, Europe with exhilarating live performances. Pushing all the dimensions of musical innovation and creativity of British Urban Bhangra music, bringing a new groove to dancefloors worldwide with the new sounds, meaningful lyrics, breath-taking melodies and vocals producing the distinctiveness of the Sahotas with hit songs like, ‘Sahota Show Te Jake’, ‘Hass Hogia’, ‘Mahi Di Udeek’, ‘Gal Bangaee’, ‘Akhian Samaal’, ‘Dang Ditha’, ‘Sach’, ‘Ajaa Ajaa Ajaa’, ‘Heerie’, and many more......
The Sahotas achieved many accolades during the last 20 years including ‘Best Band’, ‘Best Live Band’, and were awarded Platinum and Gold Discs for album sales. The band were awarded 'Band of the Millennium'[2]
At the heart of Surj's and the Sahotas music is his love and respect for his fans
"Music in the soul can be heard by the Universe" - Surj
His musical journey has taken him to many places, over the last few years. He has been working with Urban Tribe a Swedish Reggae band and with Basil Gabbidon founder of Steel Pulse.
List of Bhangra Bands
List of Punjabi singers
Sahotas