Punjabi by Nature
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in Toronto, Canada |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Albums, music performances |
Punjabi by Nature was a seven-member bhangra ensemble established in Toronto in 1993. Their album Jmpn For Joy earned them a nomination for Best Global Album at the Juno Awards of 1996.
The group set themselves apart by appealing to a diverse audience beyond just ethnic Indo-Canadians, merging traditional bhangra sounds with influences from hip hop, reggae, and dance genres. Tony Singh, the lead vocalist, delivered Punjabi lyrics, while other members provided English language singing and rap verses.
Before assembling the full lineup for Jmpn for Joy, Singh produced the demo tape Goonda Gardi in 1993. The band's roster featured Raffa Dean, Paul Dhanjal, Chris Hess, Tesfa Campbell, Jason Filiatrault, Shameema Soni, and Ivana Santilli. Singh chose collaborators based on their musical talent rather than cultural background. Additionally, the band supported Lillian Allen during her performance at the 1994 Kumbaya Festival.
Their album Jmpn for Joy gained considerable exposure on Canadian radio and MuchMusic, especially with their bhangra-infused rendition of KC and the Sunshine Band's "That's the Way (I Like It)".
Released in 1999, their second album Raise the Roof came after the surge in popularity of Indian music following Cornershop's 1997 track "Brimful of Asha", but it did not replicate similar commercial success.
Though Punjabi by Nature eventually disbanded, they reunited briefly in 2011 to perform at an event marking the launch of Breakaway, a movie centered on an Indo-Canadian hockey player.
Discography
- Goonda Gardi (1993)
- Jmpn for Joy (1995)
- Raise the Roof (1999)