Revolutionizing Indian American Music

Date: 24 Apr 2003 19:42:24 -0700
Newsgroups: rec.music.hip-hop
Size: 3,031 bytes

I don't know how many actually appreciate Indian American music. I
know I
certainly do. Sure, you've heard of it. I'm not sure exactly when
Indian American music became revolutionary, but the very first of the
kind I heard was Missy Elliot's "Get Ur Freak On." Then, other
Americans
hopped onto the bandwagon.
As far as I'm concerned, Truth Hurts (Shari Watson), Dr. Dre, and
Rakim represented India to the fullest in "Addictive" debuted in
April/May, 2002. Although plagiarized from Lata Mangeshkar's "Thoda
Resham Lagta Hai" (from 1981 movie "Jyoti"), "Addictive" truly became
an
International hit when the song started topping the international
charts which caused quite a stir in the UK and India. Consequently,
the Legendary Lata Mangeshkar now in her 70's, who is known as Mother
India of Music, slapped a $500M lawsuit against somebody called Truth
Hurts for plagiarism and stealing the song without permission or
providing any credits or profit for using the song. No doubt she will
win the lawsuit.
However, I'm quite surprised that although Truth Hurts and Dr. Dre
like the Indian tune, they are very ignorant(doesn't even know Lata
Mangeshkar) and disrespectful towards Mrs. Mageshkar. MTV quoted Dr.
Dre "...that 'Indian girl' can sing..." Excuse me? Who is he calling a
girl? How ignorant and disespectful is that? They didn't even know
"that girl's" name and doesn't seem to appreciate & praise Mrs.
Langeshkar to the level she deserves. Lata Mengeshkar is one of the
greatest legends of Indian music.
It's not over... Three other versions of Thoda Resham Lagta Hai have
been plagiarized by other Americans - again, without permission or
sharing profit.
Other Indian American artists include Erick Sermon/Red Man's React. I
also love Panjabi MC's Knight Rider themed song.
I actually prefer Hindi music over Panjabi because I was born with it.
I'm a Guju (from Thaman, Gujurat, India), but I love Panjabi MC's
song. It's got the beat. I don't speak nor understand Panjabi, but I
appreciate and love Panjabi MC's song. You don't have to understand a
word but can appreciate and love the beat & rhythm of the music.
Another example is I love pure Spanish songs and Latin American. I
don't speak or comprehend Spanish at all, but I love pure Spanish
songs purely for the music.
I'm a proud US citizen residing in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I've been in
the US for over 20 years, but finally America is catching up to Indian
music. Thank you, God.
I have grown to love the new revolutionary Indian American music. I
mean even I admit Addicitve has a catchy tune. I only hope that both
pure Hindi and Indian American music will grow into the American
mainstream music like Latin American music with Ricky Martin in 1999
following J Lo, Enrique Englisia (spelling?),
Shakira, Paulina Rubia, etc. (Gloria Estefan doesn't count. She's
Cuban. She's into Salsa music which I love btw).
Anways, if you get a chance, listen & enjoy both Addictive and Lata
Mangeshkar's Thoda Resham Lagta Hai by downloading them from
kazaa.com.