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Malkit Singh

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Malkit Singh is a Punjabi bhangra singer who works in England. He was born around 1963 in Hussainpur, grew up in Nakodar and moved to Birmingham in 1984. There he built a career of more than thirty years and became one of the best-known faces of British bhangra. He was the first Punjabi singer to be awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II, in 2008, and in 2012 he received a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars.

Music and breakthrough

His best-known song is Tootak Tootak Tootiyan, written by Veer Rahimpuri and released on the album of 1990. That album became at the time the fastest-selling and most successful bhangra album. Other well-known titles are Gur Nalo Ishq Mitha and Jind Mahi. The latter, together with Chal Hun, can be heard in the film Bend It Like Beckham, which meant he was heard outside the Asian community as well. He often appeared on Indian television programmes about Punjabi culture.

Influence

Bhangra originally comes from the Punjab and is dance music with a sharp, bouncing rhythm. Singh showed how that tradition acquired a pop form of its own in British cities, with a modern production but the singing and danceability of the Punjabi harvest festivals. In this way he contributes to the story of migrants who took their music with them and made a new popular culture of it.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Tootak Tootak Tootiyan and notice the rhythm that almost forces you to move. Try to hear how vocals and percussion answer one another at the chorus.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: ArtistsBhangra