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
The Israelites
Apache Indian Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelites Aah
Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelite
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
Poor me Israelite
Shirt them a-tear up, trousers is gone
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
Poor me Israelite
After a storm there must be a calm
They catch me in the farm
You sound your alarm
Poor a-poor a-poor me Israelite
I said I get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
So that every mouth can be fed
Poor me Israelite Aah
I said my wife and my kids, they are packed up and leave me
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
Poor me Israelites Aah
Look Me shirts them a-tear up, trousers are gone
I don't want to end up like Bonnie and Clyde
A-poor a-poor me Israelites Aah
After a storm there must be a calm
They catch me in the farm
You sound your alarm
Poor me Israelite
A-poor a-poor a-poor me Israelites Aah
The lyrics of Apache Indian's song The Israelites express the daily struggles and challenges faced by the Israelite people. The song begins with the singer waking up in the morning to go to work and earn his bread. He highlights the importance of working hard to ensure that every mouth can be fed, indicating the selfless nature of the Israelite community. However, despite all their efforts, he still considers himself a "poor me Israelite."
The singer then reveals that his wife and children have left him, claiming that they were only with him to be seen. This shows the emotional turmoil and heartbreak that the Israelites had to endure, and how their families were torn apart. The mention of "Bonnie and Clyde" refers to the infamous American criminal couple, highlighting the fear of ending up like them.
The following lines suggest that while there may be moments of difficulty and struggle, there is always a calm after the storm. However, in the end, the Israelites are caught and sound the alarm, ultimately leading to their struggle for freedom.
Overall, the song portrays the strength and resilience of the Israelite community despite facing constant hardships and injustice. It highlights the importance of hard work, family, and the belief that things will eventually get better.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up in the morning, slaving for bread, sir
Every morning, I wake up and work hard to earn bread so that I can feed everyone.
So that every mouth can be fed
The reason why I put in so much effort is to make sure that everyone has enough to eat.
Poor me Israelites Aah
Despite working tirelessly for everyone, I am still struggling and suffering, just like the Israelites who were oppressed in their own land.
My wife and my kids, they packed up and leave me
My family has left me, leaving me all alone and hopeless.
Darling, she said, I was yours to be seen
My wife told me that she was mine to behold, but she still left me despite my love for her.
Shirt them a-tear up, trousers is gone
My clothes are torn and ragged, and I don't want to end up in a tragic situation like Bonnie and Clyde.
After a storm there must be a calm
The storm of difficulties and hardships will eventually pass, and we must learn to find peace after it's over.
They catch me in the farm
I have been caught doing something wrong, and I am suffering the consequences for my actions.
You sound your alarm
Everybody is calling out my mistakes and my flaws, and it's causing me trouble.
A-poor a-poor a-poor me Israelites Aah
Despite all of my hard work and effort, I am still struggling and suffering just like the Israelites who were oppressed in their own land.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Desmond Dekker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank Oshinski
As a 72 year Old man and I have the 45 rpm record , it is a GREAT Song . Thank you Apache Indian 😁😁
Sonofadeadbeat
Not the Desmond Dekker version?
Daniel Broadbent
As a 33 year old man from England I say. This is a sweet and life giving cover respect to this man. I do love a classic but i choose to separate the two and enjoy both. We enjoy the music of our time its human but we can appreciate each others cultures
GiveusanEpleasebob
Agreed. Gotta love the Indian brummies. I know a few and they are sound lads
merciasound
He's working with various youth projects around In Birmingham bringing different communities together, kids off the streets and away from crime - and brilliant he is at it too!!
apachewolfscout
Hey, flipping heck! I never heard this version! Wow! The original is one of the best songs and masterful acts of singing ever! Yet, this version, forgive me, I don't know all the right names, (I just enjoy the music!) is absolutely wicked! The singing , rhythm and all... furthermore, the video is a great 'story' somehow! I mean it has actual content! Simple-yet highly effective! Probably didn't cost THAT much?...and therefore you could say it DID NOT waste millions of pounds, and yet it is far more entertaining, to me, at least, since it has a clear story and content and , for me, style, than these multi-million dollar music videos, wherein they were better off giving the money to feed the poor! Since this did a great and on, I guess a low budget, yet was better than the big budget vids ( in my opinion, humble or otherwise) , HAPPY DAYS! Best wishes and Thank you very much indeed!
Martin Meyn
Great version 👌👍 love this one 😉👌
Darren Ford
I discovered this song today. This is amazing. Shame its not on Spotify. Guess I'll be hitting that replay button alot. Chicks hot too.
Jason Smith
So I suppose you didn't notice the inside scrubbed tyre at 1.42. Huge negative camber, lucky she brought it in at the same time they were shooting a video. I have watched it many times over, great cover.
Douglas Lippert
Great news! This song is now on Spotify.