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Punjabi khana and gana

Hit making producer Dr. Zeus plans to add a dash of hip-hop to Bollywood

BIRMINGHAM AND BOLLYWOOD Baljit Singh a.k.a Dr. Zeus

Much like other second generation Indians in Birmingham, Baljit Singh grew up listening to Tupac, Dr. Dre and Timberlake. After spending hours at recording studios during school days, he decided to set up one on his own. After much persuasion, he obtained a loan from his father to buy studio equipment.

This was way back in 1996. The `god of deejays' and producer who goes by the name of Dr. Zeus today is raking in big moolah for his covers. Remember Rouge?

His Kangna and Don't be shy are a hit with listeners. "Kangna was a theth Punjabi song that we turned into a club anthem. Soon we are coming up with a remix of the same, again a producer's remix, along with one of Jal's Woh lamhe. ," he says.

Enthused by Asha Bhonsle's version of Cha cha cha that is ruling pop charts, he says, "I would be honoured to work with the likes of Asha Bhonsle. But I would not make her do the Cha cha kind of rendition and would rather bring in another female vocalist for R&B and gospel feel and to complement her on English vocals. I'd rather bring out her real potential," he says.

He combines Punjabi soul with hip-hop beat and collaborates with the best of artistes for his records. Rouge is a case in point — the all-girls act that took music charts by storm — as did his opening album Def Jam, Pure Garage and High Life (featuring Kangna).

And soon he plans to collaborate with Bollywood's music directors . "It is a black comedy and I will be collaborating with guys who did Bluff Master and give the best of Indian and hip hop. ," he says.

Rooted in India, the king of Birmingham still swears by music and robust khana from sadda Punjab. Married to a Punjabi girl, "It was not one of them arranged marriages. It was a case of love. Her being a Punjabi brings a smile to my parent's face," he says.

"Probably I should dedicate a song to my wife in my forthcoming albums," says the artiste who confesses that the best is yet to come from his studio.

Syeda Farida

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