A year and a half ago, I had the chance to chat with Blitzkrieg, North America's first Desi Hip-Hop artist and a pioneer in the movement taking place in Toronto for Desis to break into the mainstream. Now with the advent of Timbaland using Desi beats and more Desis entering the mainstream, I thought it would be time to revisit with Blitzkrieg and see what his thoughts are on how far we have come.

Rajiv Ramdeo: Blitzkrieg, what's up?
Blitzkrieg: Noting much, just been working hard on making new music and promoting 22k Entertainment.

RR: First up, what was it like opening up for Apache Indian back at "Bash at the Beach."
B: Opening for Apache was a great opportunity for us to gain exposure. The crowd loved us that night. We actually have become good friends with K (Apache's son) and were able to record 3 tracks with him, which we will be releasing soon.

"...Their lyrical content consists of rapping about Samosas? (Chuckles)"

RR: Speaking of that, last year when we first sat down, we talked about how unique this whole South Asian Hip Hop scene was, you being the first. But since then there has been a huge influx of performers from all over the world, South Asian that is, that are claiming and trying to be Hip-Hop and RnB artists. I think you really started a movement here.
B: Well I will always support and encourage Indian talent, but I do think we are one of the pioneers of this new form of Indian music. My team (twenty2k) & I may have not been the first to blend hip-hop and Indian music but we took it to a next level. We do it straight for the streets on an underground hip-hop tip. I've heard a few Indian MC's and truthfully they really don't have the talent to be MC's. The real urban Indian talent is still underground. By this I mean kids on the block that can freestyle way better than any of these other Indian artists out. Don't get me wrong I respect everyone's art form and their music but from what I have heard so far I'm not really impressed on a lyrical tip. I'm not going to mention any names but I've heard some peeps that are supposedly the next to make it big on the Indian Hip Hop tip and they're a joke. Their lyrical content consists of rapping about Samosas? (Chuckles) You see me and 22k are not trying to be Indian, it's something we are and live everyday.

RR: Asian Empire Records, is a name that has been around for a long time now, but I understand it's now bigger than ever?
B: Asian Empire has expanded into 22k Entertainment, with a network of urban South Asian Businesses. Asian Empire (www.asianempire.ca), along with Hustle Beats (www.hustlebets.com), Kalrap (www.kalraprecords.com), smark Design and Rhymeshrine.

RR: Why did you do that?
B: 22k is basically a network for all of these companies to help achieve their goals together. We believe it is better to invade the industry as a team rather than independently. With teamwork you can achieve more and get where you want to be quicker!

RR: Speaking of goals, I remember last year you told me that one of your goals was to put a South Asian up there in the mainstream. Over the past year we have seen tracks such as "Big Pimpin," "Get ya freak on", and "Ugly" use Desi beat samples. We saw Dre take Lata's "Resham Lagta Hai" and use it in the background of "Truth Hurts", then Redman's React feat. Eric Sermon came out, Lil' Kim has something out there and now Jay Z has "Bounce." All of these mainstream Hip Hop artists are featuring some type of Desi influence. You must love that?
B: Like I always say when asked this question, this is a sign that the industry is ready for us. Indian sounds are what the market wants right now and why not give it to them? It's funny because we've been doing it for so long and finally now they're catching on.

RR: So what do we do now, where do we as South Asians go next to really push a movement?
B: We have to actually find the real talent and invest in them. We have to find people with the budgets to provide studio time, videos and marketing for our artists. I think that's what the problem is right now and that's why we aren't progressing.

RR: You have a series of albums coming out soon, I've been seeing promos for it popping up all over. Tell us a bit about that.
B: Well over the summer 22K released volume one of our "Indians strike back" compilations and it's been getting its props every where from T-dot - Van city, Cali, Philippines, UK, Australia etc...

Keep an eye out for Vol. 2 which we are working on right now. You can download many songs of the albums on our site: www.twenty2k.com.

RR: Any new artists you're working with right now in 22k?
B: Well MD is the new member of Asian Empire, and he is featured all over the strike back CD. But along with him look out for new comers Basixx (kalrap), and Da-coz (hustle beats).

RR: Ok Blitzkrieg, any final thoughts for the millions of DesiClub readers out there?
B: For any comments or people interested in working with 22K contact me @ asianempire@hotmail.com and download our songs and spread the word.

www.twenty2k.com, www.asianempire.ca, www.hustlebeats.com, www.kalraprecords.com

One luv 2 all the Indian talent out their! One day we going to make it to the top.

Do you have any thoughts on this? Feel free to send Nisha an e-mail @ Rajiv Ramdeo.