Steel Banglez
Pahuldip Singh Sandhu[2] (born 5 February 1987),[3] known by his stage name Steel Banglez, is a British record producer and musician of Indian Punjabi descent. He is currently signed to Warner Bros. Records.[4] Best known for his production work with artists including Mist, MoStack, J Hus and Wiley, Steel Banglez achieved his first chart hit as a lead artist when his track "Bad" reached the top 30 on the UK Singles Chart in February 2018.[5] His highest-charting single on the UK Singles Chart is "Fashion Week" featuring British rappers AJ Tracey and MoStack which peaked at number 7.
Steel Banglez | |
|---|---|
Steel Banglez in 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Pahuldip Singh Sandhu |
| Also known as | Steel Banglez[1] |
| Born | 5 February 1987 Forest Gate, London, England |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | steelbanglezmusic |
Early life edit
Born in Forest Gate, Sandhu grew up in Newham, east London.[6] Raised in a Sikh family, he was surrounded by traditional Indian instruments such as harmoniums and tablas as his mother was a music teacher.[6] In addition to being of Indian Punjabi descent, Sandhu has also stated to have Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan ancestry.[7][8]
At the age of 10, he started DJing jungle music alongside his brothers[6] and subsequently presented a show on the pirate radio station Mystic FM.[9] He started producing music in his early teens after a teacher introduced him to the audio workstation Fruity Loops, and soon produced his first track "Dreams" for his neighbour, the influential grime artist D Double E.[6] He soon gained further exposure when he produced the Big H freestyle from the Practise Hours 2 DVD.[9]
Steel Banglez's career was halted when he was imprisoned at the age of 17, serving three years of a six-year sentence for the possession of a firearm with the intent to endanger lives.[10][11]
Music career edit
2005–2014: Early music career edit
While in prison, Steel Banglez befriended the rappers Fix Dot’M, Yung Meth and Colours Miyagi, and would produce beats for them on a keyboard.[10] This resulted in his musical direction becoming focused upon rap, and he also gained attention in south London where the centre of the capital's rap scene was based. His earliest production credits came in the mid-2000s. He produced “Colours” by D Double E and Big H’s Practice Hours 2 Freestyle.
After being released, Steel Banglez contributed production to Fix Dot'M and Yung Meth's mixtape A Fix of Meth,[12] and he teamed up again with Yung Meth, this time with Ghetts, on "Tidal Wave" which was released on SB.TV. He soon started working on tracks with a wider range of artists, such as "Breakdown" (with Big H, P Money, Wiley and Ghetts) and "Go Down South" (with Krept, Konan, Chip and Yungen, Not3s and James Lukezo of zua visa).[12]
Eager to establish his credentials as a producer, Steel Banglez ran a home studio from his manager's house which offered free studio time to artists, with Wiley and Roll Deep two of the highest profile names to put their vocals to his beats.[10] Steel Banglez later moved to a professional studio in what is now the Link Up TV office where he worked with Cashtastic, Yungen and Krept and Konan.[10] In 2014, Steel Banglez focused on producing Cashtastic's debut album which was due to be released by Universal Music.[6] However, that project ended when Cashtastic was deported to Jamaica as part of the Hostile Environment policy.[10][2] As a result, new production work dried up and Steel Banglez lost direction in what he calls a “mad depressed stage” in his life.[10]
2015–present: Solo career and wider production work edit
Steel Banglez was newly inspired when he heard the track "No Buddy" by MoStack in the summer of 2015. They connected via Twitter,[6] and Steel Banglez produced his debut mixtape Gangster with Banter.[9] On New Year's Eve of 2015,[9] he first heard MIST and realised that the Birmingham-based rapper's use of phrases from the Punjabi language would help him connect with a large audience.[13]
After making contact via Instagram, Steel Banglez drove MIST to his studio in London where he played him the beat of what would become the track "Karlas Back".[6] He produced MIST's breakthrough EP M I S T to the T in 2016 and then acted as executive producer on his Warner Bros. Records debut Diamond in the Dirt in 2018, which featured artists including MoStack, Jessie Ware and Haile from WSTRN.[14] Another high-profile production came when he collaborated with Jae5 on "Fisherman", a track from J Hus' debut album Common Sense.[15]
Steel Banglez's career as a lead artist was also gaining momentum. He signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Music in April 2017[16] before signing to Warner Bros. Records, together with his imprint Spiritual Records, later renamed Gifted Music, in April 2017.[17]
He released "Money" in March 2017, which featured several of his friends and collaborators such as MoStack, MIST, Haile and Abra Cadabra.[18] MoStack also appeared on the follow-up single "Bad" alongside Yungen, Mr Eazi and Not3s.[19] Released in November, "Bad" climbed the UK Singles Chart for several weeks before peaking at number 29 in February.[5] In March, the track was certified Silver by the BPI in recognition of 200,000 sales.[20]
Steel Banglez won Producer of the Year at GRM Daily's Rated Awards 2017.[21]
In 2018 he won Best Non-Traditional Asian Act at Brit Asia TV Music Awards (BAMA),[22] an award which he won again at BAMA 2019.[23]
On 19 May 2023, he released The Playlist, his debut studio album.[24] The album features guest appearances from Giggs, Asco, Blade Brown, Chip, Squeeks, MoStack, Aitch, Morrisson, Not3s, Blanco, Tion Wayne, Ms Banks, Backroad Gee, Kweng Face, Nines, Mist, Mastermind, Deno, King Promise, Wstrn, Yungen, M24, NSG, Rimzee, S1mba, Midas the Jagaban, Ivorian Doll, Tamera, Mowgs, Sidhu Moose Wala, Burna Boy, Clean Bandit, Wes Nelson, Stefflon Don, Unknown T, D Double E, Jaykae, Berwyn, Maverick Sabre, Ghetts, Tamer Hassan, Lotto Ash & Tiggs Da Author.[24] The album peaked at 29 on the UK Albums Chart.[25]
Personal life edit
Steel Banglez's success has allowed him to help his family by funding his mother's retirement and his sister's university fees.[10] He was given the nickname Steel Banglez by a Jamaican friend in reference to the karas (steel bracelets) that he wears as a Sikh.[6]
Steel Banglez is an avid supporter of West Ham United F.C.[26]
Discography edit
Studio albums edit
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK | ||
| The Playlist |
| 29[25] |
Singles edit
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [5] | IRE [27] | ||||
| "Money"[28] (featuring Mostack, MIST, Haile and Abra Cadabra) | 2017 | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| "Bad"[29] (featuring Yungen, MoStack, Mr Eazi and Not3s) | 29 | — | |||
| "Your Lovin'"[30] (featuring MØ and Yxng Bane) | 2018 | 47 | — |
| |
| "Hot Steppa"[31] (featuring Loski) | — | — | |||
| "Fashion Week" (featuring AJ Tracey & MoStack) | 2019 | 7 | 69 |
| |
| "47" (with Sidhu Moose Wala & MIST featuring Stefflon Don) | 17 | — | |||
| "Blama"[32] (featuring Tion Wayne & Morrisson) | 2021 | 94 | — | The Playlist | |
| "Banglez Ting"[33] (featuring Giggs) | — | — | |||
| "Tell Me"[34] (featuring Clean Bandit, Wes Nelson, Stefflon Don & Unknown T) | — | — | |||
| "Mera Na"[35] (with Sidhu Moose Wala & Burna Boy) | 2023 | 87 | — | ||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||
Guest appearances edit
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Wife Me"[36] | 2018 | Raye | Side Tape |
| "Brown Munde" | 2020 | AP Dhillon, Gurinder Gill, Shinda Kahlon, Gminxr | — |
Production credits edit
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Produced with: | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Colours"[1] | 2006 | D Double E | None | On the Double |
| "Spaceman" | 2010 | Mumzy Stranger, Wiley | Journey Begins | |
| "Go Down South"[1] | 2012 | Krept & Konan, Yungen, Chip | Non-album single | |
| "My Name"[37] | 2013 | Krept & Konan, Yana Toma | Young Kingz | |
| "Ciao Bella"[38] | 2016 | MoStack | The Intent (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | |
| "Karlas Back"[37] | MIST | M I S to the T | ||
| "Ain't the Same"[39] | ||||
| "Madness"[37] | Non-album singles | |||
| "Hot Property"[37] | 2017 | |||
| "Off the Record 2"[40] | Yungen | None | ||
| "Where I'm From"[41] | Burna Boy | Outside | ||
| "Fisherman"[37] | J Hus, Mostack, MIST | Jae5 | Common Sense | |
| "It's Calm"[42] | Birdman, Sy Ari Da Kid | Rich Gang II: Lifestyles | ||
| "Screw & Brew"[43] | Mostack, MIST | Sevaqk, Zeph Ellis | High Street Kid | |
| "No Words"[1] | Dave, MoStack | Dave, 169, Fraser T. Smith | Game Over | |
| "Sun Comes Up" (Steel Banglez Remix)[37] | Rudimental, James Arthur, MIST | None | Non-album remix | |
| "99 + 1"[44] | Not3s, Mostack | Take Not3s | ||
| "Dreams to Reality"[45] | 2018 | MIST | Diamond in the Dirt | |
| "On It"[45] | MIST, Nines | |||
| "Uber"[45] | MIST, MoStack | Swifta Beater, Zeph Ellis | ||
| "Game Changer"[45] | MIST | None | ||
| "Display Skills"[45] | MIST, Mr Eazi, Fekky | |||
| "Order It In"[45] | MIST, Not3s | |||
| "Crepes and Cones (Ya Dun Know)"[46] | Krept & Konan, Mostack | Non-album single | ||
| "Wifey Riddim 3"[47] | 2019 | AJ Tracey | AJ Tracey | |
| "Yes Yes"[48] | MoStack | The Elements, Zeph Ellis | Stacko | |
| "I'm the One"[48] | MoStack, Fredo | Hazard | ||
| "House Party"[49] | 2020 | MIST, Fredo | None | TBA |
| "Signed to God" | 2021 | Sidhu Moose Wala | The Kidd & JB | Moosetape |
| "Invincible" | Sidhu Moose Wala, Stefflon Don | The Kidd | ||
| "Celebrity Killer" | Sidhu Moose Wala, Tion Wayne | The Kidd, M1, Chris Rich, JB & A.Singh |
References edit
- ^ a b c d Pruszynska, Aneta (7 November 2018). "Steel Banglez is the one-man production powerhouse behind the new wave of UK hip hop". Mixmag. from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Steel Banglez is the one-man production powerhouse behind the new wave of UK hip hop". Mixmag. from the original on 2019-04-28. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
- ^ "Steel Banglez on Twitter: "Happy birthday to me 🙌🏾". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
- ^ "Steel Banglez". Warner Brothers Records UK. from the original on 2018-06-01. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ a b c Peak chart positions in the United Kingdom:
- For "Bad": "Steel Banglez/Yungen/Mostack – Official Charts". Official Charts Company. from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- For "Your Lovin': "Steel Banglez/MO/Yxng Bane – Official Charts". Official Charts Company. from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- For "Fashion Week": "Steel Banglez/AJ Tracey/MoStack – Official Charts". Official Charts Company. from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- For "Blama": "Steel Banglez/Wayne/Morrisson". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 17 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Radar Radio". Radar Radio. from the original on 2019-12-14. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ Singh Sandhu, Pahuldip [@steelbanglez] (December 3, 2017). "Im all three plus sri lankan" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Singh Sandhu, Pahuldip [@steelbanglez] (August 13, 2018). "im pakistani indian sri lankan and Bangladeshi" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d "PAUSE Meets: Steel Banglez". PAUSE Online | Men's Fashion, Street Style, Fashion News & Streetwear. from the original on 2018-02-24. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ a b c d e f g "How Steel Banglez Beat Depression To Become The UK's Leading Rap Producer". Complex. from the original on 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ "Meet Steel Banglez, the super producer driving the UK rap resurgence". British GQ. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-15.
- ^ a b "UK rap super-producer Steel Banglez is finally getting the recognition he deserves". hyponik. 2017-04-19. from the original on 2017-12-08. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ "Steel Banglez is the London producer bringing U.K. rap to the pop charts". Thefader.com. from the original on 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ "Meet the producers behind Mist's 'Diamond In The Dirt' EP". THELINKUP.COM. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ "J Hus, Mostack and Mist's 'Fisherman' has just gone SILVER!". THELINKUP.COM. from the original on 2019-07-20. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ "Steel Banglez signs to Warner/Chappell - M Magazine". M magazine: PRS for Music online magazine. 2017-04-20. from the original on 2018-06-23. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ "Steel Banglez signs own record label venture with Warner Music! #SpiritualRecords". THELINKUP.COM. from the original on 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ "Steel Banglez enlists Abra Cadabra, Mist, Mo Stack & Haile for 'Money'". THELINKUP.COM. from the original on 2017-06-29. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ "MoStack, Mr Eazi, Yungen, and Not3s throw a wild party in Steel Banglez's "Bad" video". Thefader.com. from the original on 2018-05-12. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ a b c d "British certifications – Steel Banglez". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 27 September 2022. Type Steel Banglez in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "Rated Awards 2017 and 2018: Steel Banglez wins Producer of the Year". GRM Daily - Grime, Rap music and Culture. 27 October 2017. from the original on 2018-06-22. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- ^ Anusha, Nava (11 October 2018). "BritAsia TV Music Awards 2018 Winners". www.desiblitz.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ Dhiren, Manga (7 December 2019). "BritAsia TV Music Awards 2019 Winners". www.desiblitz.com. Retrieved 19 August 2020.
- ^ a b Damara Kelly, Tyler (27 April 2023). "Steel Banglez's debut album The Playlist sees him link up with Ghetts, Berwyn, and Giggs". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ a b "STEEL BANGLEZ | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ @steelbanglez (March 11, 2012). "I support west ham united ... Its my local ! Simple" (Tweet). Retrieved 22 October 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ "IRMA – Irish Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- ^ "Money (feat. Mostack, MIST, Haile & Abra Cadabra) - Single by Steel Banglez". iTunes. from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Bad (feat. Yungen, MoStack, Mr Eazi & Not3s) - Single by Steel Banglez". iTunes. from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Your Lovin' (feat. MØ & Yxng Bane) - Single by Steel Banglez". iTunes. from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Hot Steppa (feat. Loski) - Single by Steel Banglez". iTunes. from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Blama (feat. Tion Wayne & Morrison) - Single by Steel Banglez". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "Banglez Ting (feat. Giggs) - Single by Steel Banglez". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ McDonald, Jordan (25 November 2021). "Steel Banglez, Stefflon Don, Wes Nelson, Unknown T & Clean Bandit connect on "Tell Me"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "Mera Na - Single by Sidhu Moose Wala, Burna Boy, Steel Banglez". Apple Music. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
- ^ "Side Tape [Explicit] by Raye". Amazon (UK). from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "Behind the Boards: Steel Banglez". iTunes. from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "The Intent / Various Artists". Tidal. from the original on 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- ^ "Mist - Ain't The Same [Music Video] (Prod by Steel Banglez)". YouTube. 5 October 2016. from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Off the Record 2 / Yungen". Tidal. from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "Where I'm From - Burna Boy". Shazam. from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
- ^ "Birdman - It's Calm ft. Sy Ari Da Kid / Mostack". Tidal. from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "High Street Kid / Mostack". Tidal. from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
- ^ "Take Not3s / Not3s". Tidal. from the original on 26 March 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "Meet the producers behind MIST's 'Diamond in the Dirt' EP". thelinkup.com. 9 February 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ "Krept & Konan - Crepes and Cones (Ya Dun Know) Lyrics". Genius. from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
- ^ "AJ Tracey by AJ Tracey". Apple Music (UK). 8 February 2019. from the original on 9 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Stacko / Mostack". Tidal. from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ "House Party (feat. Fredo) - MIST - Credits". Tidal. from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
External links edit
- Steel Banglez at IMDb