Rajé Shwari Explained

Rajé Shwari
Birth Date:4 August 1977
Birth Place:United States
Genre:Hip Hop, Urban, Pop, Bollywood
Occupation:Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Entrepreneur
Years Active:1997–present
Label:Sony UK, Beat Club, Interscope, BollyHood Records
Website:www.rajeshwari.com

Rajé Shwari (born August 4, 1977) is an American-born Indian hip hop artist, best known for her feature on Timbaland & Magoo's "Indian Flute".[1] Shwari has also worked with Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, Missy Elliott and Pharrell.

Early years

Shwari grew up outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a traditional Indian household. During her school years, she began identifying with hip-hop. She described her parents as "very strict and old fashioned", but said they allowed her the freedom of "buying records and going to rock concerts" as long as she got good grades.[2]

Shwari's father continued this reward system by booking studio time whenever she came home with a favorable report card.[3] During her college years, Shwari got her first record deal offer overseas, and dropped her studies to pursue music professionally.

Music career

By 2005, Shwari had been dubbed "Timbaland's Protege"[4] and was featured on his single "Indian Flute". She also worked with Jay-Z on his single "The Bounce", a tribute to the September 11 attacks,[4] later included on the soundtrack for NBA 2K13,[5] [6]

In 2012, Shwari started her own production company, BollyHood.[7]

In February 2014, Shwari was included in a permanent exhibition in the Smithsonian Institution's Natural History Museum in Washington D.C., entitled "Beyond Bollywood", which presented the contributions of prominent South Asians in the United States.[8] Shwari was included as an example of South Asian hip-hop.

In 2015, Shwari was included in Anokhi magazines list of the Most Prominent South Asians.[9]

Discography

Year Title Label
2001 Worship You[10] Sound Design, ZYX Music
2002Disco (Remix)[11] Capitol Records
2003 Indian Flute[12] Blackground Records
2003 Indian Flute/Naughty Eye[13] Blackground Records, Universal
2003The BounceRocafella Records
2004The FlyestStar Trak/Sony
2005CandyshopShady/Aftermath
2010Keep A SecretBollyHood Records
2013Get Your LifeBollyHood Records
2014I'm Famous in BollyHoodBollyHood Records
2016Kitty KatBollyHood Records
2023OutcasteBollyHood Records

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Timbaland & Magoo - Indian Flute E.P. Discogs. 2003 .
  2. Web site: Indian Parenting. 2012-04-27.
  3. Web site: That Philly girl with the BollyHood sound has a single out. 2013-11-08.
  4. Book: Melnick. Jeffery. 9/11. John Wiley & Sons.
  5. Web site: Jay-Z brings 'The Bounce' to new NBA 2K13 'All-Star' trailer . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150923210017/http://www.axs.com/news/jay-z-brings-the-bounce-to-new-nba-2k13-all-star-trailer-15753. 2015-09-23. AXS.
  6. Jay-Z Scores U2, Kanye West for 'NBA 2K13' Soundtrack . .
  7. Book: Girn. Raj. The ANOKHI List 2015. 2015. Anmeco Optimedia Communications, Inc.. 24,25.
  8. Web site: Beyond Bollywood . Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.
  9. Web site: ANOKHI List 2015 .
  10. Web site: Rajé* - Worship You. Discogs. 2001 .
  11. Web site: Slum Village - Disco (Remix) Featuring – Ms. Jade, Raje Shwari. Discogs. 2002 .
  12. Web site: Timbaland & Magoo - Indian Flute. Discogs. 2003 .
  13. Web site: Timbaland & Magoo Featuring Sebastian (3) & Raje Shwari - Indian Flute / Naughty Eye. Discogs. 28 July 2023 .