After the Success of his first single DC, Mani Hype release’s his second single Punjabi Heart (Dil Apna Punjabi) from his forthcoming album Ballistic. Desi-Box caught up witht the rising star to talk about his new single and his future plans.
DB: A big welcome to Desi-Box, Mani Hype! First of all, we have to say we’re loving the name – it could be a noun, a verb, even an adjective…Tell us a bit about how you came up with it.
Mani Hype: Hi first of all thank you for your time and a warm welcome to you all, the name Mani Hype came from two things my name and my roadshow which is called HYPE ROADSHOW so I put the two together my nick name that has grown up with me MANI and the roadshow name HYPE it went really well so I stuck with it.
DB: You’re a DJ and a music producer, and I guess we could say you’re pretty new to the music scene. When did the musical passion begin, and what do you think you can offer to the scene which is different?
Mani Hype:Yes I am new to the music industry, but I’ve been in music a while I’ve been djing for about 10 years doing weddings and party’s also doing daytime gigs and club nights were ever I could, I love music so what ever there were live gigs I would attend, where ever there was a concert I would be there. I can offer the music scene a different sound bhangra is very similar, my music will have a wide range of sounds from all over the world from drum and bass to classical the way I make them come together, well you will have to wait and find out.
DB: How would you describe your sound?
Mani Hype:I would describe my sound as universal you can put any vocal behind it and it will also go down on the dance floor its a feel good factor sound all round.
DB: After the success of your debut single, ‘DC’, featuring the extraordinary Kaka Bhaniawala, you’ve now just released your second single, ‘Punjabi Heart’ featuring Angrez Ali, under VIP Records. Can you tell us a bit about the song, what went into producing it, how much you and Angrez actually worked on it together, and where all desibox-ers out there can get a copy?
Mani Hype:The song punjabi heart came about, I wanted to create a song which reminded me of our roots and reminded our generation of back home and how they will never forget punjab, I wanted a powerful singer to sing this song from the heart and really express it one name came into mind angrez ali I found out he was available through a friend and got straight on to him and I didn’t
look back. Vip records was a company who i knew would look after me and get My music everywhere all over the world, I was very pleased when I signed to them, you can purchase the track off I tunes for 79p and vip records website also there are links on my fan page on facebook.
DB: Clearly, the song is about being passionate for your heritage and culture. How important is retaining your Punjabi identity to you?
Mani Hype:Its very important to me, my roots and heritage is my life, growing up in a british country these can easily be forgotten, we must not forget what shaheed bhagat singh and udham singh did for us. Growing up in birmingham and the midlands which for me is were bhangra was invented, listening to every artist there music always inspired me and made me think who we are.
DB: We’re pretty excited about the forthcoming album, ‘Ballistic’, of course featuring some more big names. Are you pleased with the final product? When and where can we a copy?
Mani Hype:You will be able to buy the album on iTunes and all good music shops around the country, also vip records online website, I’m very pleased with the album its the first of many projects I hope you enjoy it as I have producing it.
DB: Is there anything going on in your life at the moment that you could let us in on? Apart from preparing for the album release, what else are you up to?
Mani Hype:I’ve been touring india djing and have been very busy in the uk with gigs also the wedding scene is very busy for me so this takes up quite a lot of time, apart from the music scene I’m a mad sports fan and liverpool fc so I follow them were ever I can. My family is important to me so anytime with them is pleasing.
DB: Finally, do you have a message you’d like to send out to your fans via desi-box.com?
Mani Hype: Thank you guys for supporting me I’m humble and very grateful to each and everyone of you god bless and take care.
By Sabah Ismail
