Punjabi music beyond just bhangra: Bali Sagoo

Singer Bali Sagoo, who reigned over the pop music scene in the 1990s, rues that Punjabi music has limited its identity to loud bhangra songs.

According to the 49-year-old, Punjabi music has a lot of potential -- more than just churning out over-the-top dance numbers.

"Punjabi music does not always need to be bhangra, it can be of different style as well. It needs to change with different styles and genres. I wish that people don't play only bhangra music when they want to listen to Punjabi music," Sagoo told IANS.

"They have this thing abroad as well... they don't listen to a lot of other Punjabi music because they feel the music is the same. I tell them that it's not (like that)... It (Punjabi music) can be drums, R&B, or love songs," he added.

Sagoo, who divides his time and work between India and Britain, observes the changing taste of people who are being exposed to world music and appreciating it as well.

"I think they are opening up to different tunes. Thanks to television, radio, (social) media, they are listening to songs that are being listened around the world. We are at par with everything... The global music scene inspires me," he said.

Having given hit albums like "Wham Bam", "Magic Touch" and hit remix "Haye Jamalo", Sagoo says pop music should not compete with Bollywood songs.

"No one can compete with Bollywood - it is big, like a global virus. So why even go there? Many people like me have been doing music for so many years, should make more music and do it globally," he said.

The singer, who owns his own record label Fresh Dope Records, has come up with his latest album "Future Shock", which has music for every mood.

However, Sagoo rues the fact that Indian artists ultimately aim to become playback singers in movies.

"In India, there are not many role models... Everyone wants to become a playback singer. Most singers I talk to want to become a playback singer," he said.

Copyright  IANS

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