RajStar (a/k/a Raj Makhija) is a freelance music producer, composer, sound engineer, songwriter and musician based out of New York and Mumbai. He has been called the “next big movement” from America, with a fresh sound described as Timbaland meets AR Rahman.

RajStar was always involved with music growing up in New Jersey around a musical family as his mother sang in a traditional Indian style and his father played Tabla, an Indian percussion instrument. In addition to this, playing bass guitar and guitar in and out of school bands (i.e. marching band, jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, out of school jazz programs, etc.) gave him a unique blend of musical sensibilities. He became interested in recording and composing music in the 7th grade when he bought himself a 4-track cassette recorder and began making songs.

Vimal Patel, aka DJ Desiplaya, aka The International Idol (aka can we stop with the names, ha), is the founder of Xplicit Desi Vibes – hold your breath – the #1 South Asian remix and production group in the United States. When they release a new mixtape, it becomes my latest playlist for the gym! Sorry, but I can’t help to turn up the volume to XDV while hanging out at my friends’ dorm at the University of Rochester!

“We all have a strong passion for music! Everyone in XDV has a passion for music and love what they do,” asserted DJ Desiplaya. Hailing from Oregon, this young and energetic producer has got the skills, determination, and talent needed to make it in this scene!

Having started DJing and mixing at the age of 16, he knew that music was something that he would spend ample time dedicated towards. Till date, his favorite XDV memory has been, “the chance to work with such astounding talent in the Desi scene.” I could sit here and list all the artists Vimal has worked with, but then what would you read in the article!

After many compliments and positive feedback from his latest mix, “My Kinda Girl” by Raghav and featuring Lil’ Wayne, I sat down with this producer on the rise to talk about his past, present, and future and how he can balance it all in between school, work, and of course…the ladies!

The date has been set:
Sunday – August 17, 2008The venues have been set:
Oxygen & The Madison

The artists have been booked:
Fabolous — Nivla & P. Oberoi
 …and many more!

I walk up the stairs of a Manhattan apartment, looking for someone’s residence and then I hear the sounds of Hip-Hop infiltrating through the hallway and I find myself outside the apartment of Raj Makhija – a New York-based sound engineer and record producer. Along with his brother, Ravi, together they founded Soul Tap Records, the label responsible for discovering talents such as Nivla, P. Oberoi, Feroze and Karishma. Raj is also one half of production heavyweight, RVM Sounds. The tracks which Raj produces cover an array of sounds from raw underground Hip-Hop to slow melodic film scores to upbeat pop club bangers.

Bravura Artist a group who has strived to bring forth the hottest upcoming talent in today’s South Asian scene, whether it’s an R&B singer, rapper or producer. On March 7^th, Bravura Artist released their first mixtape, “Forces of Nature,” which is a compilation of original production and remix tracks, featuring the amazing lyrical styles of artists such as: Ajaxxx, Kina Grannis, Landon Austin, Nivla, P. Oberoi, and of course, Ananda Sen.

By: Tirusha Dave

It’s very rare that we come across artists from our community who are talented enough to land a deal with a mainstream American record label. Nonetheless, two artists – Nivla and Parag Oberoi – stood proud, and against the odds, showcasing their fusion of Hip-Hop and Punjabi lyrics – captivating not just the Desi listener, but even the American ears!

Many were surprised when they turned on the Fox 5 morning news one day in January and saw Soul Tap Records recording artist Nivla rapping, “My Gujaratis, Punjabis, and all my Sindhis turn it out right…fellow Malayalees reppin’ hard for the South side… parties, we rockin’ ‘em, me and Parag and ‘em, Soul Tap run sh-t ain’t no stoppin’ ‘em“, followed by P. Oberoi’s sultry Punjabi vocals, “Ho ni mein jhoot boleya, koi na, ni mein kuffer toleya, koi na kaadi vi dil todeya, koi na, bai koi na.”

Question: Who are Nivla and P. Oberoi and what’s the hype behind these two boys?