Apache Indian is the stage name of Steven Kapur, a UK singer-songwriter and reggae DJ from Handsworth, Birmingham. Born in 1967, he works in dancehall, reggae, pop, raggamuffin and ragga, and is known for combining Jamaican musical styles with Indian bhangra and other Indian influences in a style often described as bhangramuffin.

Career

Apache Indian first becomes widely known with No Reservations, released in 1993 and produced by Simon & Diamond, Phil Chill, Robert Livingston, Bobby Digital and Sly Dunbar. The album introduces his fusion of bhangra and raggamuffin to a broader audience. It follows a major recording contract with Island Records for his debut, one of the largest sums paid for a debut album by a non-white artist.

He follows it with Make Way for the Indian, produced by Sly & Robbie, The Press, Mafia & Fluxy, Pandit Dinesh and Chris Lane. That record features rapper Tim Dog and includes “Boom Shack-A-Lak” / “Boomshackalak”, the song that becomes his best-known track. The song appears in several films, including Dumb and Dumber, and is used in numerous television and advertising campaigns worldwide.

His later albums show a shift in emphasis across his catalogue. Real People, produced by Harjinder Noparat, is described as his most experimental album and includes more Indian elements than many of his earlier releases. Karma, his first album of the new century, moves back towards more traditional reggae and includes contributions from Luciano, Boy George and Mafia & Fluxy. His discography also includes Time for Change.

Style and themes

Apache Indian is associated with a blend of Indian music, raggamuffin, mainstream dance music and pop rap. He usually performs in Jamaican English. His lyrics range from social criticism, heard in songs such as “Arranged Marriage” featuring Natacha Atlas and “Mention”, to party-oriented tracks such as “Boomshackalak” and “Jump Up”.

Collaborations and recognition

He records with a wide range of artists, including Boyz II Men, Blackstreet, Wreckx ’n’ Effect, UB40, Sean Paul, Maxi Priest, General Levy, Brian and Tony Gold, Shaggy, Yami Bolo, Boy George, A.R. Rahman, Sameera Singh, Asha Bhosle and Pras of the Fugees. He also tours the US with Sean Paul.

Apache Indian is noted as the only Asian artist to have seven Top 40 hits on the UK singles chart. He is nominated for the Central Britain Media and Arts Asian Jewel Award in 2004. His composition “Om Namah Shivay” appears on the Putumayo World Music compilation World Reggae.

Discography

Albums: No Reservations (1993), Make Way for the Indian (1995), No Reservations (1997), Real People (1998), Karma (2000), Time for Change (2005).