The Bhangra world is certainly heating up with major Bhangra acts picking up a heap of awards at the AMA’s this year, from legendry Bhangra guru Channi from Alaap scooping the UK AMA for Outstanding Achievement for contribution, to SUKSHINDER SHINDA winning the AMA for Best Album & Best Video. Check out our Bhangra channel to find out more info on what they said. Also, key names in the Bhangra world are getting busy to bring you more hot tunes so turn on the light bulbs and check out what’s happening in SF on the Bhangra Scene for you West Coasties! If you are In San Francisico check out what’s bringing urban club kids and Desis together onto sweaty dance floors, gleefully stomping their feet and raising their arms in unison? Bhangra, a hip-hop reincarnation of traditional Indian music. (Its roots lie in a 15th-century Punjabi folk music and harvest celebration dance, both of which are still popular today - think Monsoon Wedding), but the nightclub version layers Punjabi lyrics and the up-tempo beat of a two-sided dhol drum over a backdrop of top-40 rap, electronica, and even reggae. At the aptly named Nonstop Bhangra party at San Francisco’s Rickshaw Stop, DJs alternate classic with cutting-edge tracks, while guest musicians join in on the dhol drums and other classical Indian instruments. There, 20-something indie rockers learn traditional dance moves and play air sitar alongside die-hards from the South Bay nostalgic for home. Newbies arrive early for a bhangra dancing crash course! Third Saturdays, Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell St., S.F., 415-861-2011 Bhangara @ the AMA’s THE AMA for Best Album & THE UK AMA for Best Video went to: COLLABORATIONS - SUKSHINDER SHINDA: "I’m very happy to win the two awards and it’s good that Bhangra artists are being recognised by UK AMA. The Bhangra industry should support these awards. I feel it’s not all about winning a category, it is enough to be nominated and get recognition for your achievements. I would like to thank all the fans and supporters and everyone involved in Collaborations." And legendry Bhangra guru Channi from Alaap was awarded the UK AMA for Outstanding Achievement for the contribution he and Alaap have made to the British Asian Music industry. An ecstatic Channi commented: “I feel honoured to win such a prestigious award. We should have been recognised a long time ago as we have done so much for Asian music and culture and our contribution speaks for itself. I think the Bhangra scene only happened because of the trend set by Alaap and the respect we created for Asian music should be retained – we shouldn’t lose the authentic values.” He praised the British Asian music scene and added: “I feel authentic Asian songs can be a big hit in the mainstream and I hope Bhangra is applied to more music genres. The UK Asian Music Awards are a great step for the industry as they encourage artists to do something more positive and work to higher standards.”