Rabbi Shergill
{{short description|Indian musician (born 1973)}}
{{BLP sources|date=December 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Rabbi Shergill
| background = solo_singer
| image = Rabbi Shergill.jpg
| caption = Rabbi performing
| image_size =
| birth_name = Gurpreet Singh Shergill
| birth_place =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|4|16|df=yes}}
| death_date =
| genre = Punjabi, rock, sufi, Indipop
| occupation = Singer, songwriter, guitarist
| years_active = 2004 – present
| label = Odd One Out Records, Phat Phish, Yash Rajhttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yash_Raj_Films
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|http://www.rabbishergill.com}}
| current_members =
| past_members =
| native_name = ਰੱਬੀ ਸ਼ੇਰਗਿੱਲ
}}
Rabbi Shergill (born Gurpreet Singh Shergill on 16 April 1973) is an Indian musician well known for his debut album Rabbi and the chart-topper song of 2004, Bullah Ki Jaana ("I don’t know who I am!"). His music has been described variously as rock, Punjabi, with a bani style melody, and[http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2005/jan/11sld1.htm Meet Rabbi Shergill, Indipop's latest star!] by Sumit Bhattacharya, Rediff.com Specials Sufi-style (sufiana), and "semi-Sufi semi-folksy kind of music with a lot of Western arrangements."[https://web.archive.org/web/20041209231554/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1041121/asp/look/story_4014887.asp Rhythm Divine] by Swagata Sen, The Telegraph, 21 November 2004. Shergill has been called "Punjabi music's true urban balladeer".
Career
After college Shergill formed a band named Kaffir. The band played in some competitions and college festivals before parting ways.{{cite news|title=Rabbi Shergill to launch new album|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-21/news-and-interviews/31374566_1_rabbi-shergill-new-album-sufi-singer|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193737/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-21/news-and-interviews/31374566_1_rabbi-shergill-new-album-sufi-singer|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=21 April 2012}}{{cite web|title=Bollywood doesn't float my boat: Rabbi Shergill|url=http://www.planetradiocity.com/musicreporter/celebrity-interview-details/Bollywood-doesn’t-float-my-boat:-Rabbi-Shergill/633/3|publisher=Planetradiocity.com|access-date=23 September 2013}} Shergill initially composed jingles for advertisement agencies such as Yamaha RX-T motorbikes and Times FM. He had an unsuccessful stint with Sony Music and Tehelka before finally releasing his debut album Rabbi in 2004 under Phat Phish Records. Relying on word-of-mouth publicity and a music video, he had a chart topper song "Bulla Ki Jaana". Most of the songs in the album were composed and written by Shergill himself except for "Bulla ki Jana" based on the Kafi poem written by the Punjabi Sufi saint Bulleh Shah. "Heer" from "Heer" by Waris Shah and "Ishtihar" by Shiv Kumar Batalvi. Shergill had one song, "Dilli" which was used in the Hindi movie, Delhii Heights.{{cite news|title=Musicians live in their skins: Rabbi|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-16/news-and-interviews/28224844_1_punjabi-song-dilli|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029192958/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-16/news-and-interviews/28224844_1_punjabi-song-dilli|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 October 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=16 December 2010}}
In October 2008, Shergill released his second album Avengi Ja Nahin under Yashraj Music.{{cite web|title=Avengi Ja Nahin – CD|website=Amazon |url=https://www.amazon.com/Avengi-Ja-Nahin-Rabbi-Shergill/dp/B001BCM9GO|access-date=23 September 2013}} The album contains nine songs and deals with issues like communal violence, likis the Bilkis Bano case expressing social responsibility and the need for "collective morality".[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Avengi-Ja-Nahi-Shergills-new-album-against-communal-violence-released/294946/ Avengi Ja Nahi, Shergill’s new album against communal violence released] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602110358/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Avengi-Ja-Nahi-Shergills-new-album-against-communal-violence-released/294946/ |date=2008-06-02 }} He also appeared in MTV Unplugged (India) in 2011. He lent his voice to Yash Chopra's 2012 romantic film Jab Tak Hai Jaan singing the leading number "Challa" composed by A. R. Rahman and the lyrics penned by Gulzar. In March 2012, he released his third album III.{{cite news|title=I see albums as an artform: Rabbi Shergill|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-09/news-and-interviews/31139198_1_latest-album-rabbi-shergill-river|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130923101337/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-09/news-and-interviews/31139198_1_latest-album-rabbi-shergill-river|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 September 2013|access-date=23 September 2013|newspaper=The Times of India|date=9 March 2012}}
Musical style
Shergill's principal contribution to music lies in the use of Punjabi — which previously had a reputation similar to that of either Bhangra or traditional folk — to create acoustic rock-based ballads, providing a new musical perspective to this language. And with his poetic, socially relevant lyrics and an adult alternative sound, Shergill instantly connected with an urban crowd who loved him for his genuine and original approach to his songs. His songs are deeply philosophical and blend archaic, almost lost, Punjabi phrases into more recent Indian rock music.
Shergill's music has been inspired by Rock as well as Sufi and Punjabi folk music. His favourite musicians include Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Jimmy Page. He has also worked with award-winning mix engineer Gustavo Celis, who helped him out with some tracks for his album III. "Working with Celis — who has worked with artists including Beyonce, Shakira and Ricky Martin — was an amazing experience," he says.{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120902/jsp/graphiti/story_15924785.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029194258/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120902/jsp/graphiti/story_15924785.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 October 2013 |title=A lyrical journey |work=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota |date=2012-09-02 |access-date=2013-07-10}}
Personal life
Shergill's father was a Sikh preacher and his mother is a college principal and also a Punjabi poet. He has four sisters. He is an alumnus of Guru Harkrishan Public School, India Gate and University of Delhi. After college, he went for further studies at the Fore School of Management but dropped out a year later.{{cite web|url=http://rabbishergill.com/biography/|title=Rabbi Shergill biography|access-date=8 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031204314/http://rabbishergill.com/biography/ |archive-date=31 October 2013 }} His sister Gagan Gill is a well known Hindi poet.{{cite news | url = http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/11/08/stories/2008110852020800.htm| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110908192145/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2008/11/08/stories/2008110852020800.htm| url-status = dead| archive-date = 2011-09-08| title = A balladeer's journey | author = Shailaja Tripathi Taneja| work = The Hindu| date = 2008-11-08 }} Shergill publicly supported Aam Aadmi Party led by Arvind Kejriwal attending a rally in support of the party in the 2013 Delhi Legislative Assembly election.{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/myindia-myvote/chunk-ht-ui-myindiamyvote-delhi/aap-receives-support-from-sufi-singer-rabbi-shergill/sp-article10-1140253.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029030939/http://www.hindustantimes.com/specials/coverage/myindia-myvote/chunk-ht-ui-myindiamyvote-delhi/aap-receives-support-from-sufi-singer-rabbi-shergill/sp-article10-1140253.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 October 2013 |title=AAP receives support from sufi singer Rabbi Shergill |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=2013-10-26}}
Discography
=Studio albums=
- Rabbi (2004)
- Avengi Ja Nahin (2008)
- Rabbi III (2012)
= Singles =
- Tu Milen (2013){{Cite web|title=Tu Milen: Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/tu-milen-single/1617605676|website=Apple Music}}
- Taläsh (2019){{Cite web|title=Taläsh: Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/5uM9Oychf8e3QXecvVYUae?si=sACsZX0fT1SUlZuBMxPYiw|website=Spotify}}
- Raj Singh (2019){{Cite web|title=Raj Singh: Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/3V9XxpVB5LCY4gBz3CDk51?si=nscS7RQVQeuZo71n2WBL2w|website=Spotify}}
- Sahi Aeh Vi (2019){{Cite web|title=Sahi Aeh Vi: Spotify|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/1pRk5QvcZS7jJ7hIlcjTs3?si=jS30kPG8T9eSabvc_7mAOA|website=Spotify}}
- Pahilan (2020){{Cite web|title=Pahilan: Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/pahilan-single/1514949414|website=Apple Music}}
- Pahiläñ (2020){{Citation|title=Pahilan|url=https://open.spotify.com/album/28ki2mU1RkfhHt6Ug0y2B1|language=en|access-date=2021-03-11}}
- Par Parosani (2022){{Cite web|title=Par Parosani: Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/par-parosani-single/1649813080|website=Apple Music}}
- Hamahüñ Kä Khïläb (2022){{Cite web|title=Hamahüñ Kä Khïläb: Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/hamah%C3%BC%C3%B1-k%C3%A4-kh%C3%AFl%C3%A4b-from-eight-down-toofaan-mail-single/1608148833|website=Apple Music}}
- Tu Hae Khubsurat (2023){{Cite web|title=Tu Hae Khubsurat - Rabbi - You Tube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H5Cwagj3BA&ab_channel=RabbiShergill|website=Youtube}}
- Bulla at biella jazz club (2024){{Cite web|title=Bulla at biella jazz club: Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/song/bulla-at-biella-jazz-club/1782678433|website=Apple Music}}
=Film soundtracks=
- Waisa Bhi Hota Hai 2, "Laundiya Ke Pallu Mein" (2003){{Citation|title=Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Various Artists|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/waisa-bhi-hota-hai-part-2-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1529441311|language=en-ca|access-date=2021-03-11}}
- Delhii Heights, "Tere Bin", "Kitni Der" (2007)
- Dharti, "Bandiya Tu" (2011){{Citation|title=Dharti (2011 film)|date=2021-02-21|url=https://open.spotify.com/track/1e7AgMVgBe2qXjvdaAKqrg?si=5VWsFCF6ROCserAMMgexAA|language=en|access-date=2021-03-11}}
- Jab Tak Hai Jaan, "Challa" (2012){{Citation|title=Jab Tak Hai Jaan (soundtrack)|date=2021-02-23|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jab_Tak_Hai_Jaan_(soundtrack)&oldid=1008524854|work=Wikipedia|language=en|access-date=2021-03-11}}
- Raanjhanaa, "Tu Mon Shudi" (2013)
- Chaar Sahibzaade - Rise of Banda Singh Bahadur (2016){{Citation|title=Chaar Sahibzaade - Rise of Banda Singh Bahadur (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Harry Baweja, Jaidev Kumar, Nirmal Singh & Rabbi Shergill|url=https://music.apple.com/ca/album/chaar-sahibzaade-rise-banda-singh-bahadur-original/1167108527|language=en-ca|access-date=2021-03-11}}
- Romeo Akbar Walter, "Bulleya" (2019)
- Happy Hardy and Heer, "Aadat" (2020)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/@rabbishergillmusic/featured Rabbi Shergil's Official Youtube Account]
- [https://www.youtube.com/c/OddOneOutRecords Odd One Out Records]
Category:Performers of Sufi music
Category:People of Punjabi descent
Category:Bollywood playback singers
- [http://www.rabbishergill.com Rabbi Shergill's official website]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shergill, Rabbi}}