Apache Indian (rapper)

Apache Indian is the stage name of rapper Steven Kapur. He introduced Bhangra-rap to the World through "Arranged Marriage" in 1993 and followed it up with "Boomshackalak", "Make Way for the Indian" and "Karma" among other albums.

He is an artist who has linked traditional Asian sounds with influences from mainstream pop, reggae and hip-hop. Born in Handsworth, Birmingham, England, Apache Indian started a trend that has found a huge following.

He is the only Asian to date to have seven Top 40 Hits on the mainstream British charts.

Apache Indian has recorded with Boyz II Men, Blackstreet, UB40, US chart topper Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, Shaggy, Boy George, A.R. Rehman, Asha Bhosle and PRAS of 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 has also been nominated for the Central Britain Media and Arts Asian Jewel Award 2004 to be held later this year.