The Sahotas

The Sahotas are a British Asian band known for their contributions to the Bhangra genre. They originally started performing Asian classical music, specifically Ghazals, during their academic years. The band's early lineup included Surjit Sahota on vocals, Mukhtar Sahota on keyboards, and Raj Sahota on Tabla. They gained recognition after winning The National Festival of Youth, which led to a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 1987. Their first album, "Gidda Pao," was released in 1987 and established them as a prominent Bhangra band. Over time, they expanded their lineup to include Prakash Sahota on drums, Vijay Sahota on keyboards, and a friend, Riley Daley, on bass guitar. The Sahotas have released several successful albums, including "Sahota Beat," "Ajaa," and "Decade," and have been praised for blending traditional Bhangra rhythms with contemporary sounds.

Their music career spans over three decades, with notable releases such as "Suniye" and "Maa Da Pyar," the latter being a charity single released after the passing of their mother. The Sahotas have also explored crossover music, releasing albums like "Right Time," which broke into the mainstream top 100. Their recent releases include titles like "Revolution" and "Brotherhood," continuing their legacy in the British Asian music scene.