A synergy of reggae, rap and melody

Apache Indian features in the latest release ‘Rise Up’ along with Shibani Kashyap, Dinero Ash and Chezin

Birmingham, Bhangra and Bob Marley — the factors that shaped the legendary Apache Indian remain a strong force in his music. A pioneer of the reggaeton wave in India in the 90s, his popular numbers like ‘Boom Shack A Lak...’, ‘Chock There’, ‘Arranged Marriage’ and ‘Om Numah Shivaya’ were a staple for the MTV generation who assimilated reggae along with his Bhangra mix.

His latest release is called ‘Rise Up’ (released on May 12), which he penned along with singer-rapper Dinero Ash, also the music composer of the number. The song also features singer-composer Shibani Kashyap. Shibani, Apache and singer-composer Chezin have co-composed the track with Dinero. Chezin is behind the production and arrangement of the song that was launched by the Hungama Artist Aloud., a platform for the independent musicians

Speaking from the UK over a Zoom call, Apache says, “The pandemic has left the world in a bad situation and people are shying away from talking about it. So we felt this was a perfect subject to write about. Dinero has been a dear friend and I have always wanted to work with Shibani.”

Apache always packed a message into his music and believed in using the medium to highlight issues. “Artistes cannot always talk only about good things and sing only love songs. If there’s a situation, musicians should write about it and utilise their name and the platform. We should be able to use our skills and inspire people and try to make a difference. ”

Apache observes there wasn't much pop or reggae back in the 90s. "There's the internet now and musicians are exposed to many genres. They should be part of whichever genre they are comfortable with and contribute to that genre," he says, adding that one should go against the grind and not get stuck at balle balle kind of songs. "Artistes represent their culture and they should represent the problems of their time and their city. When I dealt with the caste system and issues concerning arranged marriage in my song, I was criticised. "

Last year Apache was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours for his creation of a new genre — popularly called the ‘Ragamuffin’ music — and his service to aspiring musicians through his Apache Indian Music Academy in Birmingham. However, he was also in the news last year for his critical stand on BBC Radio Asia Network and called for it to be shut down.

Explaining why he did it, Apache says, "There are a lot of problems with that station in the UK. The station has not been truly representing British Asian music. Artistes often complain of the racist bias they face. During the pandemic, when there were no gigs, artists were left with only radio and this station was not supporting the artistes. They should remember the station is supported by the artists and the Radio DJ will not have a job unless he gets music from the artistes, yet he doesn't play their music. As a result, there's no Asian artistes' music on the UK charts. My intention is not to pull down the station but to work together and sort out issues."