Lehmber Hussainpuri - Career

Career

Hussainpuri first appeared onto the mainstream bhangra scene in 2001 through Mukthar Sahota on a track titled Sanu Sohni Lagdi. His next song was the all-time classic Das Ja on the album Hype by DJ Sanj. Lehmber then moved onto a collaboration with Dr. Zeus in 2003, on the album Unda The Influence. This album was a success with both traditional and modern bhangra fans with such hits as Ah Ni Kuriye, Mil De Yaar, Mele Vich Jatt and Tin Cheejha. This album put Hussainpuri in the limelight and made him the most sought-after singer in the Bhangra industry at the time. He then did other notable tracks including Mela, Gabru Shakeen, Daru, Kich Ke Legeya and notable appearance on the worldwide smash-hit DesiRock by Swami. Even after working with so many notable artists on many record labels, Lehmber was still unsigned and had not released his debut album.

Things quickly changed in early 2004, as Lehmber signed a one album deal with Envy Records in UK. He then began work on his debut album, produced entirely by Dr. Zeus, which was supposed to be released in 2004 on Envy Records. However in 2005, after numerous delays, Hussainpuri released his solo debut album called Folk Attack in India under BaseLine Records even though he was signed to Envy Records in UK. This led to huge controversy and eventually Lehmber being dropped from Envy Records without ever officially releasing a solo album with Envy. But that was not going to stop Lehmber. He quickly signed a deal in late 2005 with Serious Records, headed by his good friend Jeeti, based in UK.

Later, A compilation The Best of Lehmber Hussainpuri was also released in late 2005 by Jatt Records. An album containing Lehmber's previous material, from before he made it into mainstream, was released by VPearl Records entitled The Great Bhangra King. None of these were official albums, rather just unofficial albums/ compilations by various companies in India to which Lehmber branched off.

Hussainpuri, from 2005 to 2006, became one of the greatest Punjabi singers of recent times having hit songs such as Sadi Gali, Seetiyan, Ne Baliyeh, Tokh Tokh Ke, Panj Bindiyan, Tere Ote Dil Ageya, and Ishq Brandy. He worked with Aman Hayer, Simon Nandhra, RDB, DJ S-Bolina (FAKE DJ), DJ Sanj, Lil Sach and many others.

His first album on Serious Records, Chalakiyan, was released in October 2006 and contained tracks produced by Jeeti, Kam Frantic and Aman Hayer. The album was a massive success not only in UK but also in India and North America. Chalakiyan won ALBUM OF THE YEAR for 2006 at the UK Asian Music Awards. The title song Chalakiyan and the song Hauli Nach were both nominated for Song of the Year but did not win.

In March 2007 Envy Records, the former label which Hussainpuri was signed to, released a new album entitled 21st Century King of Bhangra featuring 3 new tracks and all of Hussainpuri's hit tracks from his Envy days. In response to this Hussainpuri released a video asking people not to buy the album and to only buy his albums which have been released by Serious Records. It has been stated that this is an attempt by Envy Records to get money back from Hussainpuri after he released Folk Attack early in India while being signed to Envy Records.

On September 19, 2007 Hussainpuri's compilation "Phuchal" was released in India. It contained previously released songs produced by Simon Nadhara, DJ VIX, Popsy, and Metz n Trix. This album was just a compilation of songs that previously appeared on other producers' albums. This album was not an official release, rather a compilation released in India. The North American version was released as "Bhuchal" by Planet Recordz.

In 2008 he made appearances on 2 CDs, XS-BASS' July 2008 release, "Amplified", and DJ H & DJ Rags' August 2008 release, "Reloaded", on the songs "Mitran Da Dhol" and "Gulaab". In a 2008 interview, Lehmber stated that he began work on his new album and it would be releasing soon from Serious Records.

In February 2009, Lehmber appeared on 2 songs on Jeeti's Serious Duets. One was titled Mera Mahi Tu Pateya, which is actually just the re-worked Boliyan (this one featuring Miss Pooja) from Lehmber's album Chalakiyan. The other song, also from Chalakiyan, titled Dil De Hoor, contained somewhat similar lyrics from the smash hit Ah Ni Kuriye

In January 2010, Lehmber appeared on many song such as Kudi from Hardcore Desi 2; Giddhe Wich from Sher Punjabi; Ik Peg from Mohabttan 2010; & Akh Teri from Velley Boyz. In March 2010, Lehmber Hussainpuri appeared on the songs Dil Lagee (Desi Version) and Dil Lagee (Hip Hop Version) on the album Absolut Bhangra 4: The Double Shot by North American group Dhol Beat International. The Desi Version of Dil Lagee became an instant hit and definitely a dance floor shaker.

On April 28, 2010, it was announced that MovieBox Records, based out of UK, had acquired Serious Records. As part of the deal, Moviebox received Serious Records' music catalogue as well as their current lineup of artists. Thus Lehmber Hussainpuri is now officially signed to MovieBox Records (Serious Records Label). In the press release, MovieBox also announced that Lehmber's album will be released in July 2010 with production coming from Jeeti, Kam Frantic, and Panjabi By Nature. Lehmber's signing with MovieBox is a huge benefit for Lehmber, because now he can work with MovieBox's ever-expanding lineup of top class producers.

In a July 2010 interview, Lehmber gave insight into his upcoming projects. Hussainpuri said, "Besides my solo album, I have a devotional album also coming out this year." Lehmber also stated that for his next solo project he was trying his hand singing qawwalis and songs which address a social cause, quite a different approach then his usual fast-beat party tunes. Lastly, he mentioned that he was heading towards Bollywood. Lehmber said, "Akshay Kumar has expressed his desire to work with me and we shall come out together with a project soon."

In November 2010, Lehmber Hussainpuri appeared on Panjabi MC's album, The Raj on the song Akh Da Eshara. In January and February 2011, Lehmber Hussainpuri appeared on the songs Mittro Ki Kariye by Tejwant Kittu, Hawavan by Jassi Bros, and Nakharah by MidLand DJs

In Feb 2011, his single "Sadi Gali (RDB)" reached number one on various Bollywood charts. The single was initially released on RDB (Rhythm Dhol Bass)'s album 'Three' in 2005, but then due to its huge success in the Bhangra scene, it was re-released on the soundtrack of the movie 'Tanu Weds Manu' (2011). Lehmber also featured on the soundtrack of the Hindi film Mausam (2011 film) on the song Mallo Malli with Hard Kaur

On 13 May 2011 Lehmber was featured on Bups Saggu's debut album 'Redefined' with the smash hit 'Matha Tekhiya', with the official music video releasing on September 23, 2011. Also released on October 7, 2011 was Lehmber's Jukebox Boli, the sequel to his all-time smash hit Chalakiyan Boliyan. This song was featured on Jeeti's new album, Jukebox.

On October 21, 2011 Lehmber Hussainpuri's new album Folk Attack 2 released on Serious Records and it featured production from Jeeti, Kam Frantic, Bhinda Aujla, Sukhi Chand, and Panjabi By Nature. The much awaited and highly anticipated album finally ended the long hiatus Lehmber took from the UK Bhangra scene. Folk Attack 2 released exactly 5 years since Lehmber's last solo effort, Chalakiyan. The first single from the album, Jatt Pagal Karte (produced by Jeeti) was released October 14, 2011 and was followed by the second single Pulli Phirdi (produced by Kam Frantic) on November 4, 2011.