He introduced a combination of the traditional Indian bhangra music with the style of raggamuffin, the mix-up often known as bhangramuffin, to the world with his first album, 1993's 'No Reservations'. That release was produced by Simon & Diamond, Phil Chill, Robert Livingston, Bobby Digital, and Sly Dunbar. It was followed by 'Make Way for the Indian', produced by Sly & Robbie, The Press, Mafia & Fluxy, Pandit Dinesh, and Chris Lane. That album notably featured rapper Tim Dog and spawned the massive hit Boom Shack-A-Lak", which has been used in several movies and has become a sort of 'signature song' for Apache Indian .
'Real People', produced by Harjinder Noparat, proved to be his most experimental album and also featured more Indian elements than many of his previous releases. 'Karma', his first album of the new century, was a return to more traditional forms of reggae. That album featured Luciano, Boy George, and Mafia & Fluxy.
As stated before, Apache Indian merged raggamuffin with Indian music as well as influences from mainstream dance music and pop rap. Born in Handsworth, Birmingham, England. He helped to start a trend that has found a huge following. He's also the only Asian to date to have seven Top 40 Hits on the mainstream British charts. Stylistically, Apache Indian generally moved from mixing Indian music with raggamuffin and commercial rap to exploring more traditional forms of reggae on his most recent albums.
Lyrically, Apache Indian - who always uses Jamaican English - is known for his sharp social criticism ("Arranged Marriage" featuring Natacha Atlas; "Mention") as well as his party tracks ("Boomshackalak", "Jump Up").
Apache Indian has recorded with Boyz II Men, Blackstreet, Wreckx 'n' Effect, UB40, US chart topper Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, General Levy, Brian and Tony Gold, Shaggy, Yami Bolo, Boy George, A.R. Rahman, Sameera Singh. Asha Bhosle and Pras of the Fugees.
Reggae singer Sean Paul, who has been on the top of Billboard charts with his single with Beyonce, toured the US with Apache Indian.
For his first album "No Reservation", he had signed a contract worth £250,000 pounds with Island Records - one of the largest sums paid for a debut album by a non-white artist.
"Boomshackalak" was featured in five different Hollywood movies, including "Dumb And Dumber". More significantly, the song has featured in a record 52 commercials across the globe, featuring various brands.
Now it features on the "Scooby Doo 2" soundtrack, along with international names like Fatboy Slim, The B-52's, 2 Unlimited and New Radicals.
His composition "Om Namah Shivay" also features on Putumayo World Music World Reggae, a collection of reggae-influenced tracks performed by artists from around the world. The World Reggae compositions blend the upbeat and soulful groove of reggae with exotic local influences to create new and appealing variations that will appeal to music lovers everywhere.
Apache Indian was also nominated for the Central Britain Media and Arts Asian Jewel Award in 2004.
Discography
* 1993 No Reservations
* 1995 Make Way for the Indian
* 1997 No Reservations
* 1998 Real People
* 2000 Karma
* 2005 Time for Change
Drink Problems
Apache Indian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Me a think and wonder but me can't understand
What the drink it a do for we Indian man
Me a think and wonder but me can't understand
What the drink it a do for we Indian man
(Verse 1)
Now when me talk this ya no bother worry nor fret
But nough mon them a drink and them can't give a damn
Bout the children that a cry and about them woman
And the money that a pass mon from hand to hand
And the job where them have where them have fe work long
So if you have the answer mon would you tell me
Why them can't lef the drink till them get sharbee
(Chorus)
Mai sorch thar sorch thar sumugde nay logthee
Why them drink too much and get sharbee
Mai sorch thar sorch thar sumugde nay logthee
Why them drink too much and get sharbee
(Verse 2)
Nough mon them a work till all a 7:30
But no wan rush home wan to see the family
Them wan 2 pint and 2 glassee
Then kar pornch-gair and the wife angry
Ca all day she a cook mon make the subjee
And them him start say roti - nay chythee
Just wan more sharb mon fe me belly
Then you have the same mon go to a Indian wedding
And if there is no sharb then a pure talking
That it is disrespect and it is an insult
To have no whisky just juice and coke
Sare-jarne notch-thai but him only wan talk
Sadar time waste hor-gear ca there is no sharb
And then him talk bout the wedding that him love
But o-pie kenthar said him gone to the pub
(Chorus)
Mai sorch thar sorch thar sumugde nay logthee
Why them drink too much and get sharbee
Mai sorch thar sorch thar sumugde nay logthee
Why them drink too much and get sharbee
(Verse 3)
O whisky nall bacardi them a start drinking
Fai-ken-there gudee mai chlarenee and a start driving
Usee thawnoo thusi-air "O thusee gudee nai chlow"
Uchee bolar kair kenthere "O mai bair shadthow"
Unoo swearair thus yeh fer meri gol mon gair
Rathnoo yar-iae thuva thuv not gair
And me feel so strong when me see what me see
When the drink come bout break up the family
But even so the wifes put up with the drinking
Ca divorce in a we culture is not a popular thing
So respect to the woman fight fe all of we
Ca the family would a split if it wasn't for she
(Chorus)
Me a think and wonder but me can't understand
What the drink it a do for we Indian man
Me a think and wonder but me can't understand
What the drink it a do for we Indian man
(Verse 4)
Now me done talk this ya one but don't get me wrong
Indian mon them is good so please understand
Its only when them start drink them have a next side
Come like when you watch mon Jekle and Hyde
But now the reason of concern why me feel the anga
Ca the kids them a follow but a start younger
(Chorus)
Mai sorch thar sorch thar sumugde nay logthee
Why them drink too much and get sharbee
Mai sorch thar sorch thar sumugde nay logthee
Why them drink too much and get sharbee
Me a think and wonder but me can't understand
What the drink it a do for we Indian man
Me a think and wonder but me can't understand
What the drink it a do for we Indian man
(Back to verse 1, then chorus to fade)
The lyrics to Apache Indian's song "Drink Problems" narrate the disturbing Indian culture of excessive drinking and the problems it brings to families. The chorus expresses bewilderment about the impact of alcohol on Indian men, while the verses outline the problems associated with excessive drinking. The first verse speaks about how alcohol affects the productivity of men, their families, and the community at large, leading to job losses and neglected responsibilities. The second verse portrays how alcoholism affects family life and the cultural pressure that sentimentalizes the significance of drinking at Indian weddings. The third verse expands the scope of problems that arise from excessive drinking, such as reckless driving, domestic violence, and broken families. Finally, the fourth verse clarifies that the lyrics do not depict all Indian men as bad and that the drinking problem should be a concern because it affects younger people who are learning from adults.
Line by Line Meaning
Me a think and wonder but me can't understand
Despite trying to comprehend the situation, it remains confusing and inexplicable.
What the drink it a do for we Indian man
What benefits or consequences does alcohol consumption bring to Indian men?
Now when me talk this ya no bother worry nor fret
Do not worry or be upset, as this is an open dialogue and not meant as an insult.
No bother feel say Apache come fe disrespect
Do not feel that Apache is being disrespectful toward Indian culture.
But nough mon them a drink and them can't give a damn
Many men drink excessively and do not care about the impact of their behavior.
Bout the children that a cry and about them woman
They show little concern for their children or wives who may be affected by their drinking.
And the money that a pass mon from hand to hand
They do not consider the financial cost of their drinking habit, and how money may go from one person to another as a result.
And the job where them have where them have fe work long
They fail to recognize the potential negative impact that drinking may have on their job or ability to work long hours.
So if you have the answer mon would you tell me
If anyone knows the answer, please provide insight.
Why them can't lef the drink till them get sharbee
Why can't they stop drinking until they are drunk?
Mai sorch thar sorch thar sumugde nay logthee
I am thinking and wondering but cannot understand.
Why them drink too much and get sharbee
Why do they over-consume alcohol to the point of being drunk?
Nough mon them a work till all a 7:30
Many men work until 7:30 pm.
But no wan rush home wan to see the family
They would rather not come home promptly to be with their family.
Them wan 2 pint and 2 glassee
They want two pints and two glasses.
Then kar pornch-gair and the wife angry
Then they become belligerent, and their wives become angry.
Ca all day she a cook mon make the subjee
Their wives cook all day and make the food for the family.
And them him start say roti - nay chythee
The men start to refuse certain foods such as roti.
Just wan more sharb mon fe me belly
They want one more drink to fill their belly.
Then you have the same mon go to a Indian wedding
They are the same men who attend Indian weddings.
And if there is no sharb then a pure talking
If there is no alcohol, they will just talk.
That it is disrespect and it is an insult
They feel disrespected if there is no alcohol at the wedding.
To have no whisky just juice and coke
Instead of whisky, there is only juice and coke.
Sare-jarne notch-thai but him only wan talk
They talk a big game but do not follow through on their promises.
Sadar time waste hor-gear ca there is no sharb
They feel that their time is being wasted because there is no alcohol.
And then him talk bout the wedding that him love
They will talk about how much they love the wedding.
But o-pie kenthar said him gone to the pub
In reality, they have gone to the pub instead of attending the wedding.
O whisky nall bacardi them a start drinking
They begin by drinking whiskey and Bacardi.
Fai-ken-there gudee mai chlarenee and a start driving
They drink and drive without any regard for the consequences.
Usee thawnoo thusi-air 'O thusee gudee nai chlow'
When someone asks them to stop drinking or driving, they become angry and refuse.
Uchee bolar kair kenthere 'O mai bair shadthow'
They might also say that they are not drunk or that nothing bad will happen.
Unoo swearair thus yeh fer meri gol mon gair
They may swear that they will not drink and drive again, but break their promise.
Rathnoo yar-iae thuva thuv not gair
Even if their friends try to reason with them, they will not listen.
And me feel so strong when me see what me see
It is frustrating to see them behave in such a way.
When the drink come bout break up the family
Their excessive drinking can lead to the breakdown of a family unit.
But even so the wifes put up with the drinking
Despite this, their wives still tolerate their behavior.
Ca divorce in a we culture is not a popular thing
Divorce is not widely accepted in Indian culture.
So respect to the woman fight fe all of we
We should respect and support women who have to deal with these issues in their families.
Ca the family would a split if it wasn't for she
Without her, the family might fall apart.
Now me done talk this ya one but don't get me wrong
Please understand that this is not meant as a generalization or offense.
Indian mon them is good so please understand
Indian men are good people, please do not think otherwise.
Its only when them start drink them have a next side
However, they exhibit negative behavior when they start drinking.
Come like when you watch mon Jekle and Hyde
Their behavior can change drastically, akin to the character Jekle and Hyde.
But now the reason of concern why me feel the anga
This is the reason why the issue is concerning and frustrating.
Ca the kids them a follow but a start younger
Children start to emulate this behavior at a younger age.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: STEPHEN KAPUR, DIAMOND JYOTI DUGGAL, SIMON JYOTI DUGGAL, Diamond Duggal, Simon Duggal, Steven Kapur
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind