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Panjabi Hit Squad held an exclusive album listening party last night for music and industry heavyweights for their upcoming album World Famous. A first of its kind for the Asian music industry, the event was a relaxed and intimate affair. Those who attended included acclaimed producer and newly married Rishi Rich with his wife Dr Manrina Rhode, Markie Mark (Head of music at BBC Asian Network and former member), DJ Limelight, Kan D Man, Anushka Arora, Mr Kay, and Asiana Editor Anisha Vasani.

The DJ and producing duo Rav and Dee have been at the forefront of the urban Asian music scene since 2001, fusing commercial western sounds of RnB, HipHop and House with electric Eastern flavours to create the distinct Panjabi Hit Squad style. The boys last released an album 7 years ago and now are back with an amazing eclectic mix of sounds, and boasting a host of exciting collaborations on their new album World Famous.

The first track from the album is a funky revamp of last years smash it release Miss Soniyeh. The duo loved the sounds of the steel drums after a recent holiday in Trinidad, and decided to infuse it within the song to create a more sunny Caribbean flavour; which will no doubt make you want to move. Also watch out for the sneaky dirty dubstep towards the end of the song!

The album wouldn’t have been called World Famous if the boys did not include the next musical extraordinaire on their album. The guys definitely don’t disappoint; delivering the song Dil Mera featuring the astounding voice of megastar Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. The duo revealed that the musical genius perfectly recorded the lyrics to the song within 24 hours! It’s hard to believe that the boys have had the song under wraps for over three years but the up-tempo fusion track takes Rahat’s voice to the dance floor!

Panjabi Hit Squad also unveiled their first full Bhangra track with Fulkari, sung by Mandeep. The song really brings a commercial Bhangra vibe and is sure to have your feet tapping throughout. The duo have also flirted with Bollywood with the cheeky track Disco. With the voices of Bollywood backing singer Richa Sharma (My Name Is Khan, Singham) and Krishna (Chak De India) lending their voices to the Bolly-fused number. The song is bound to have your mum, dad, uncles and aunties shouting and screaming ‘Disco Ka Raja’ at your next family gathering.

The album would not be complete without an angelic love song from Alyssia and Rab Rakha from the album is just that. The boys exclaimed that it was a song for all broken hearts and aimed to give the production of the song a timeless feel. Shake it is likely to be Panjabi Hit Squad’s most notable Bhangra song from the album. Sung by Saini Surinder, the group have gone full out dropping heavy Bhangra basslines and dhol defining beats. Sticking with simple lyrics but with strong vocals the duo defiantly have a club banger on their hands!

A big collaboration  on the RnB flavoured track called Tora Tora Pyaar is one song to listen out for Panjabi Hit squad have brought together an original duet of Canadian artist Raghav with Alyssia to produce this special love song. The lyrics of the song are sure to resonate in your ears with the soft and melodious voices of the two artists. Rav and Dee finished the listening party by going back to basics with an modern twist to the old school track Kara Vajda with the track Sun Mundiya. The classic has been updated with fresh beats and a thumping boliyan vibe.

The duo have definitely worked hard to fuse a variety of music styles to cater for everyone’s musical tastes. With flavours of Bollywood, Bhangra, Dubstep and RnB , the album definitely has world famous written all over it!