In his show tonight (9pm-midnight, Friday 1 January), BBC Asian Network’s Yasser has revealed his top artists for On The Scene 2016, the Asian musicians he predicts will be big in the year ahead.
The seven artists he’s selected are Divine, Sid Sriram, Vaz, B.E.A.S.T, Alo Wala, Yogi and Navina. In the show, as well as celebrating their music, he heard from each of them about their plans for the future.
Yasser is the BBC Asian Network's 'New Music Man'. His show - which is broadcast Friday nights 9pm-12am - showcases new, unsigned and BBC Introducing music from across the genres from British and international Asian talent. His 'On The Scene' list began in 2013 and he has previously tipped artists who have gone on to great success, including Grimsby born signer songwriter Zack Knight & Persian-British vocalist Raphaella.
Yasser said: “2016 feels like it will be a good year for new music and my ‘On the Scene’ list features a diverse array of new, talented artists. The list is an indication of who to look out for in the year ahead, and previous artists to have featured include chart toppers Zack Knight, Fateh and Rameet - all of whom have made a substantial name for themselves in the music scene. Each artist mentioned represents something new and unique and I can't wait to see their music unfold.”
Divine: 24-year-old Divine – aka Vivian – is an Indian MC from Mumbai. His aim in rapping is to present his locality in a different light, focusing a lot of his lyrics on the city’s pigeons, potholes and local politics. He is part of the ‘Gully Gang’ collective (a music collective from Mumbai) and is best known for his feature on one of India's leading bass stars, Nucleya’s, track ‘Jungle Raja’. His single ‘Mere Gully Mein’ has been played across shows on Asian Network.
Yasser says: “This guy can rap, and he definitely knows the right producers to work with. Hindi is a difficult language to rap in, maybe one of the trickiest. I’ve never heard an artist rap at the speed Divine does in Hindi. His high energy and ridiculous talent leaves me in awe every time.”
Sid Sriram: 25-year-old Sid is an urban/indie singer-songwriter from California. A graduate of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, he trained in classical Indian music from a young age. He made his YouTube debut two years ago and since then has racked up five million views. Sid's music has been featured by Billboard, MTV, Complex Magazine and Fader, amongst others, and he has also collaborated with A.R. Rahman and Himanshu Suri (Heems) of Das Racist. On Asian Network he has also been tipped and supported by presenters Bobby Friction and Nihal.
Yasser says: “A vocalist from the Bay Area in California. There is an art to singing and Sid has pretty much perfected it. His hypnotic vocals capture your attention and his sincerity overtakes you. He has a dedicated online following and I am really excited to see Sid shine as an artist.”
Vaz: This 24-year-old is an R‘n’B and soul leaning singer-songwriter whose influences range widely, from Nat King Cole and Nirvana to Prince and A.R Rahman. He was born and raised in London, but has now moved to Toronto. Working closely with producer PKCthefirst (one of Yasser’s tips for 2015), Vaz’s music journey is only just beginning. He was recently chosen to perform a live set at the BBC Introducing Showcase in Birmingham in the lead up to the BBC Music Awards.
Yasser says: “A BBC Introducing artist, Vaz has a good ear for music. He knows the correct producers to work with who deliver a soothing finish to his R‘n’B influenced vocals. Although he is very new in the music game, his talents will make sure he is heard.”
B.E.A.S.T: This is a duo consisting of D-Code and DJ Producer Bambooclart, both 27-years-old.
DCode deliver alternative electronica/Asian Underground, fusing Western dance and traditional Asian elements. He got into dance music from early raves in Essex and started playing sets on London pirate radio stations between 1999 and 2001, later setting up his own studio. In 2005, he became acquainted with Nerm, the founder of Shiva Soundsystem , releasing his first record on the label in the following year. He has toured internationally and is a BBC Radio 1 ‘In New DJ’s We Trust’ alumni.
BambooClart has remixed for Major Lazer, Diplo and Nerm, and has several club residencies in Birmingham (where he’s from) and London. He has also worked on music and radio projects with The Gaslamp Killer, Beardyman Das Racist and No Names (Foreign Beggars) amongst others. Bambooclart was also a featured artist on the BBC Introducing Showcase in Birmingham, performing a live set for the crowd.
Yasser says: “They’re underground but they definitely have the potential to break through. They are the kings of bass and catchy melodies. Every time I hear their track ‘Flux’ I’ll be humming the melody all day.”
Alo Wala: Chicago born Alo is an Indian Tropical Bass artist who has steadily been crafting her sound and image over the past few years, and has collaborated with various artists including Nucleya and Mc Zulu. Having performed at Glastonbury 2015, she is currently on tour in India. Alo is signed to the Enchufada record label, which is also home to Branko and Buraka Som Sistema, and is on tour with them in Europe in 2016.
Yasser says: “Imagine a lot of bass and a vocalist that sounds a bit like MIA but even fresher. Alo Wala has been touring a lot recently and 2016 is looking like it is going to be even bigger for her. I can’t wait to see her live again!”
Yogi: Fusing Trap, dance and hiphop sounds, producer, Yogi, is from London but now living in America. He is signed to both Dr Dre's Aftermath Entertainment and Skrillex's OWSLA label. His collaborations and projects have already seen him work with Pusha T and Skrillex, and the mysterious producer is tipped for big things in 2016.
Yasser says: “This man started off in North London and now lives in America and is signed to one of the biggest rap producers of all time. He is a mysterious character, nobody really knows what Yogi looks like, yet his is fast becoming an international super producer.”
Navina: 19-year-old, Navina Rajan, is a folk-inspired singer-songwriter from Cambridge, currently based in Warwick. She started playing the piano and flute as a child, but fostered a love for the guitar as a teenager. Various styles inspire her sound, with notable pop and folk vibes. She loves producing music, and is influenced by Rostam Batmanjli and Ryan Tedder as well as Cat Stevens and Joan Baez. In March 2014, she won the singer-songwriter category of BlingYaTing 2014 (Urban & World Talent Show in Cambridgeshire) and was Yasser’s BBC Introducing Artist of The Week prior to being on this list.
Yasser says: “Navina is crazy talented! She has her own country/folk style of singing which is completely unheard of in the scene. She has a really likeable sound which makes you fall in love with her music instantly.”
BBC Asian Network is a national digital radio station that broadcasts to an average audience of 589,000 listeners a week. It has a strong focus on music, news and current affairs relevant to its primary target audience of 18-34 year old British Asians. This young audience accounts for 1 in 10 of all 18-34s in Britain today. The station has a distinctive commitment to new British Asian music, through platforms such as BBC Introducing, and provides original journalism and discussion around the issues that matter to its audience. For anyone inspired by British Asian culture, the Asian Network offers a unique platform for creativity, entertainment and impactful debate.
