Ethnic Indians produce Malaysia's first Bhangra album

Two ethnic Indian Sikhs have entered record books in this multi-ethnic country, by producing the first Malaysian local Bhangra album. Manjit Singh Gill and Sukhjit Singh Gill, popularly known as Goldkartz, have written and produced their first Bhangra album called 'Loaded', which has a mix of hip hop, rap, R&B, reggae, house and trance music.

The album, with songs in English, Punjabi, Tamil and Malay lyrics has sold more than 2,000 copies since its release last January and has made it into the 'Malaysia Book of Records'.

"Usually Bhangra songs are produced in the United Kingdom and India, but we tried to make something different by writing the lyrics, recording the songs, arranging, mastering and mixing the songs ourselves here," Manjit, 23, known as M-Ji, was quoted as saying by the local media.

Sukhjit, also known as Surj, said the album represented the multi-ethnic Malaysia by borrowing from a number of languages and cultures.

"Loaded brings a new dimension in the Bhangra music industry by using English, Malay, Tamil and, of course, Punjabi lyrics to represent the society of Malaysia," said the 19-year-old.

Malaysia, a Muslim majority country with 60 per cent Malays, has a mix of 25 per cent ethnic Chinese and 7.8 per cent ethnic Indians in its population of 27 million people.

The brothers, who have received recognition under the Arts and Entertainment category for the album, have plans to market it in UK and India.

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