6 months ago 09th Feb 15:26
"When Bhangra artist Panjabi MC sampled the theme tune of 1980's TV series ' Nightrider' , it sold millions of copies globally.
"However it was ignored by Britain until American rap star JayZ used the tune.
"Bhangra music has now become a cultural backdrop: you hear it regularly for example in advertising.
"So surely it's now time for it to be formally acknowledged by the music industry alongside our other major artists."
With contributions from Ammo Talwar head of the Midlands-based Punch Records and photographer/music journalist Boy Chana, the book is now out.
The book draws on interviews with artists, lyricists and promoters of the Bhangra scene, including analysis of some of the lyrics and album covers to give a unique insight into the workings of British Bhangra music.
He added: " The book is the first ever to examine the social and cultural history of British Bhangra music, using the city of Birmingham as a starting point to map out Bhangra's journey.
"Its folk beginnings were in the Indian Punjab, which became a fusion-based music in Post-war Britain.
" And nowadays it' s crossed over into the mainstream through American Hip Hop artists and others using the Bhangra beat and sounds."
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