This episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast is brought to you by Apache Indian Brands 🍹
Use code BOOM4U at checkout to get a special discount — valid until 31st December!

In this exclusive Q&A Special, UK legend Apache Indian returns to The Raj Kaul Podcast to answer YOUR questions — unfiltered and straight from the heart.

From Boom Shack-A-Lak to Om Namah Shivaya, from Handsworth roots to Hollywood soundtracks, Apache reflects on his journey, legacy, and the state of the UK Asian music scene.

🗣️ Topics include:

• The truth behind “Boom Shack-A-Lak” and its Hollywood success

• Collaborations with Asha Bhosle, A.R. Rahman & Shaggy

• Apache’s take on the decline of UK Bhangra’s infrastructure

• How reggae, community, and Handsworth shaped his sound

• Exclusive fan Q&A — unreleased collabs, memories & lessons

🎙️ Subscribe for more real talk on music, legacy & creativity.

#TheRajKaulPodcast #ApacheIndian #UKBhangra #BoomShackALak #PunjabiMusic #Reggae #DesiMusic #RealTalk #RajKaul #MusicLegacy #Podcast #ApacheIndianBrands #BOOM4U #TheSpiritsClub

In this explosive episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Lightnin MC sits down with Raj to share his untold story — from his early days in the UK Bhangra scene to his claim of being the first Punjabi rapper.

He opens up about the early RDB days, the evolution of Punjabi rap, his creative rivalries, and the personal reinvention that’s brought him back to music today.

🎙️ Expect honesty, controversy, and nostalgia as Lightnin MC reflects on a journey that shaped UK Punjabi music before it became global.

👇 Chapters & Topics
00:00 – Introduction
03:15 – The birth of Punjabi rap
10:45 – Working with RDB and the UK scene
18:30 – Legacy, rivalries & creative differences
27:50 – The evolution of Lightnin MC
36:20 – Reinvention and return to music
45:00 – Final reflections & advice for new artists

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms.
📱 Follow @rajkaulmusic on Instagram, TikTok & YouTube for clips and updates.

#TheRajKaulPodcast — Where Music Meets Mastery.

Raj Kaul sits down with Harvey Sahota to unpack what true musical excellence looks like in practice. From being an East London kid obsessed with UK Bhangra to befriending and learning directly from the Sahotas, Harvey shares how his fixation on sound, rhythm, and feel turned into mastery.

They explore his early influences, the discipline behind recreating the Sahotas’ legendary sound, and how obsession can fuel artistic growth. A must-listen for musicians chasing perfection, authenticity, and heart in their craft.

🎧 Part 2 coming soon!

In Episode 43, Jason Bavanandan returns to The Raj Kaul Podcast for one of the realest and most honest conversations about the music industry yet.

From working with Calvin Harris, Usher, and Noel Gallagher to reflecting on fame, family, and purpose — Jason reveals what most artists never admit out loud.

🎙️ In this episode:

• The truth about life after the hype

• How ego and money can quietly kill creativity

• Why the UK scene lost its spark

• The importance of honesty, imperfection, and family

• The new era of authenticity in music

If you’re an artist or creative searching for meaning over fame — this episode is a must-watch.

📍 Follow Jason: @bavanandan
📍 Follow Raj: @rajkaulofficial

From handing out demo CDs on buses in the 90s to becoming an in-house producer for Apache Indian, Devinder J’s story is pure resilience. In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Devinder opens up about being rejected by record labels, the struggles of the UK Bhangra scene, and how persistence finally led him to producing reggae and Punjabi fusion hits alongside legends.

We dive into:

• His Wolverhampton roots & early inspirations from The Sahotas

• The struggles of breaking into the Asian music industry without support

• Why radio & UK stations failed a generation of British talent

• How Apache Indian changed everything for him

• The future of UK Bhangra, Splice culture, and whether today’s hits will last

If you care about UK music history, real stories of graft, and the future of Punjabi & reggae fusion, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with artists pushing musical excellence: @RajKaulPodcast

Follow Devinder J:
Instagram – @officialdevinderj
TikTok – @officialdevinderj
Facebook – Official Devinder J

Follow Raj Kaul:
Instagram – @rajkaulmusic
TikTok – @rajkaulmusic
Spotify – Raj Kaul

Sharni (Time Productions) joins Raj Kaul for his first ever interview on The Pursuit of Musical Excellence.

In this powerful conversation, Sharni opens up about his Handsworth roots, family influences, and the journey that shaped him into one of the UK Bhangra scene’s most respected producers. From learning dhol as a kid to recording with legends like DCS, Kanwar Grewal, Moneyspinner, and Tru-Skool, Sharni shares stories of Birmingham’s golden era, his studio philosophy, and why respect and preparation matter more than ever.

He also reflects on what musical excellence means to him today — balancing tradition, authenticity, and community with the modern realities of music.

Follow Sharni: @timeproductionsmusic
Follow Raj: @rajkaulofficial

In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj sits down with Chirag Rao – a UK-based Bollywood and jazz singer with a remarkable journey. From growing up between London and Nashville to training under legendary maestros in Mumbai, Chirag shares how his unique upbringing shaped his artistry.

The conversation dives into:

• His family’s musical legacy and early influences 🎶

• Training in Mumbai with renowned gurus and the challenges of Indian classical learning 🇮🇳

• The evolution of Bollywood music from Rafi and Kishore Kumar to Arijit Singh 🎤

• Fusing Bollywood and Jazz in his "Bollywood Brat Pack" project 🎷

• Insights on practice, discipline, and the true meaning of musical excellence

If you love Bollywood classics, Indian classical music, jazz fusion, or inspiring artist journeys, this episode is packed with wisdom, nostalgia, and performance insights.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations with world-class musicians and creators.

Apache Indian joins The Raj Kaul Podcast for a powerful and unfiltered conversation about his journey from Handsworth, Birmingham to becoming a global music icon.

We dive into:

• His early influences from reggae, Punjabi, and multicultural Handsworth.

• The story behind Movie Over India, Chok There, and Boom Shack-A-Lak.

• Touring the world, seven UK Top 40 hits, and Hollywood placements.

• Hard truths about the Asian music industry, radio gatekeeping, and award show politics.

• His vision for unity, a Handsworth “Coke Studio,” and giving back to the next generation.

🎧 Whether you know him from reggae dancehalls, Bollywood soundtracks, or Hollywood movies, this is Apache Indian like you’ve never heard before.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives with legendary artists.

🔗 Follow Apache Indian: @ApacheIndianHQ
🔗 Follow Raj Kaul: @RajKaulOfficial

In this episode of The Raj Kaul Podcast, Raj sits down with multi-instrumentalist, producer, and mentor Luke Victor to unpack a truly unique musical journey. From classical piano at age 6 (with no TV in the house!) to punk bands, DJing in London, and launching a full-time studio in Leicestershire, Luke’s story is one of raw passion, deep faith, and relentless pursuit of musical excellence.

Discover how Luke's experience in bands pushed him into production, why he walked away from the DJ scene, and how his faith transformed his approach to music and life. This conversation is filled with golden insights on consistency, collaboration, worship, and finding purpose through creativity.

🎧 Topics Covered:

• Why no TV launched his piano career

• Playing punk gigs at age 14

• Crashing into London’s indie scene

• The reality of band politics and breakups

• Building a homegrown studio from scratch

• Why serving God redefined his music

• Luke’s neoclassical piano releases & future projects

🎹 Artist Page: @lukevictormusic

💬 Leave a comment, share your thoughts, and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes about the pursuit of musical excellence.

In this must-listen episode, Raj Kaul speaks with the brilliant Jason Bavanandan—UK songwriter, producer, and mentor who's worked with global icons like Calvin Harris, Diana Ross, and Noel Gallagher.

Jason opens up about:

• Getting a 6-figure record deal within 6 months

• Building a band from scratch with zero contacts

• Why perfectionism kills music careers

• How he accidentally became a top-tier songwriting mentor

• The rise of AI in music and what it means for artists

• Why GarageBand is more powerful than most think

They also get real about hustle culture, fatherhood, and why most artists are distracted by the wrong things.

🔊 Whether you're an artist, producer, or music lover—this is a raw, deep-dive conversation you won’t forget.

📌 Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts
📲 Follow Jason: @bavanandan
🎤 Follow Raj: @rajkaulofficial