Hustlers HC
Encyclopedia
Hustlers HC is an Asian Hip Hop group formed in 1991 in West London
, England
. The group consists of three Sikh
s: 2 rappers, Hustler MC and Ski-Man, and DJ Mitts who functions the turntables.
Hustlers HC were the first Sikh
rap crew to come out of the United Kingdom
with a strong socio-political message. They did much to bridge religious divides in the Asian community as well as creating much respect for Sikhs in the Rap fraternity. Hustlers HC were also responsible, along with DJ Ritu, for organizing and maintaining one of the first and most respected Asian club nights in London
, Bombay Jungle at the Wag Club. The trio made their first television appearance on the series "Rhythm & Raag" in 1992.
and ADF
, Hustlers HC is a band who promotes the disruption of racial and ethnic conception of ‘blackness’ and ‘Asianness.’ Through their combination of Asian instrumentation and lyrics with “black” genre of Rap, they explain why Asians are into rap instead of supporting that Rap is a black entity. This makes a huge difference in that they “signify a potentiality in the disruption of essentializing racial/ethnic boundary formation and identification, and mark the possibility of a transcendence in the normative representations of both ‘blackness’ and ‘Asianness.’ (Sharma 43)
The group has released two singles through Nation Records
: "Big Trouble in Little Asia"/"Let the Hustlers Play" in 1993 and "On a Ride/Vigilante" 1994. They are credited with being one of the first Asian Hip Hop groups.
Their music mixes gangsta rap
lyrics and stylistics with jazz
like beats, which combines to form a unique hip hop sound. The group uses their lyrics to discuss political and social issues pertinent to the Asian community.
In the song "Big Trouble in Little Asia", Hustlers HC intelligently discusses the issues of post-colonial India, racism
in Britain, and the richness of Asian culture. The blend of hip-hop and Gangsta-rap narrativity as articulated in "Big Trouble in Little Asia" was one of the first to directly address important elements about the relationship between Asian culture and political life in Britain.http://www.mutinysounds.com/film/summary/index.php In common with many rappers, Hustlers HC narrates in this song about the struggle and defense of Asian culture
in the face of racist, oppressive forces, both in the homeland and in Britain
. "Big Trouble in Little Asia" is one of their tracks to first articulate directly some significant dimensions of Asian cultural and political life in Britain. This piece featured a haunting melodic guitar line with a jazzy Hip-hop beat. The message is intensified by syncopated Reggae beats, and a rising tempo. However, there is no innocent celebration of an Asian cultural identity
in this song, but rather it explores the internal opposition of an Asian cultural formation existing within a hostile and racially violent Britain. This track is significant in that it parallels the consciousness rappers in other regions of the world. They parallel it because they rap about the historical problems in the "homeland" but also rap about the current issues in Britain What makes Hustlers HC unique is also the fact that they were "the first Sikh rap crew to come out of the UK with a strong socio-political message." Hustlers HC was influential because they opened doors for whole groups of people in their respective countries. In this track, Hustlers HC are concerned with the divisions caused by certain religious and ethnic affiliations, and advocate for political unity in fighting racial oppression. They criticize the increased gang culture and the violence across ethno-religious groups within the Asian community. The end of the 'Big Trouble in Little Asia' not only shares the theme of “ghetto tales” of gangsta rap
, but also suggests that although the narrative may not directly apply to the listener, its lyrics tell a story of social significance and deserves reflection. Not only does the song tell the value of a past cultural identity, “my culture is all I have,” but also motivates for an identity to be recreated and transformed in the present as “my culture I will find.” In the Hustler HC brief published by Nation Records
, the song is characterized as a "call to all Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh youth to unify against [the previously mentioned] problems. This call for unity lies at the core of Hustlers HC philosophy." It is said that "Big Trouble in Little Asia" increasingly intensifies its message with the combination of "a haunting melodic guitar riff and jazzy hip-hop beat that carry the listener, and the rising tempo- syncopated by Reggae beats." Bhangra music movement in general encouraged Asians in England to appreciate their heritage and not be ashamed, despite the rampant bigotry of the period. The group is known for passing judgment on completely assimilated Asians, a group they view as sell-outs who have abandoned their culture. In the "Big Trouble in Little Asia", the group raps, "Weakened the most by the coconut", referring to individuals who are "brown on the outside but white on the inside". To this end, Hustlers HC advocate for political unity as well as the preservation of the Asian identity. They are criticizing Asians who have assimilated into British culture and become cultural sell-outs.
Hustlers HC often blends hip-hop and gangster rap lyrically while allowing the beat to be influenced by a more relaxed and smooth jazz-influenced sound. 'Big Trouble in Little Asia' became one of the first tracks to bring Asian politics and culture to the ears of Britain. "A haunted melodic guitar riff and jazzy Hip-Hop beat carry the listener, and the rising tempo--syncopated by Reggae breaks--increasingly intensifies the message."
“Their track ‘Big trouble in Little Asia’ is one of the first to articulate directly some significant dimensions of Asian cultural and political like in Britain. A haunting melodic guitar riff and jazzy Hip-Hop beat carry the listener, and the rising tempo—syncopated by Reggae breaks—increasingly intensifies the message.” One of their popular song lyrics reads, “ Your corrupt culture makes my rich culture look poor, I’m trying to learn more about my past, I’m fighting to make my culture last…” The Hustlers HC is trying to make a change where they are in the world any way they can. They need to use their language in forms of rap music to get their message out and for others to hear the hardships they are presented with day-to-day.
On the flip side of 'Big Trouble...' was "Let the Hustlers Play" which literally is a more playful "up-front funky hip hop
tune with unmistakable Asian flavour combining dope beats with boasting toasting lyrical skills..."
In the 1994 release On a Ride / Vigilante, Hustlers HC follows a similar pattern to their first single with a relaxed funky track and an angry political track. "On A Ride" has a fun relaxed beat and is based around a break from the 70's British funk band Hi-Tension. The B-Side, "Vigilante - mind of the confused and angry" "takes on various view points expressed by young Asians as to how to tackle the increasing number of racially motivated attacks vented against their communities."
The music of Hustlers HC contributed to lessening the religious gap in Asian society in addition to giving Sikhs a new found respect within the rap community. They also assisted the creation of "one of the first and most respected Asian night clubs in London, Bombay Jungle at the Wag Club". In both of their records, Hustlers HC has managed to bridge the gap of the conscious and the playful.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The group consists of three Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
s: 2 rappers, Hustler MC and Ski-Man, and DJ Mitts who functions the turntables.
Hustlers HC were the first Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
rap crew to come out of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with a strong socio-political message. They did much to bridge religious divides in the Asian community as well as creating much respect for Sikhs in the Rap fraternity. Hustlers HC were also responsible, along with DJ Ritu, for organizing and maintaining one of the first and most respected Asian club nights in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Bombay Jungle at the Wag Club. The trio made their first television appearance on the series "Rhythm & Raag" in 1992.
Music
Along with Fun-Da-MentalFun-Da-Mental
Fun-Da-Mental is a British-based multi-ethnic hip-hop–ethno-techno–world fusion music group formed in 1991. The group is notable for its energetic fusion of Eastern and Western musical forms, for its outspoken political stance, and for its strong Islamic affiliation and advocacy. Fun-Da-Mental's...
and ADF
Asian Dub Foundation
Asian Dub Foundation are a British electronica band that plays a mix of rapcore, dub, dancehall and ragga, also using rock instruments, acknowledging a punk influence...
, Hustlers HC is a band who promotes the disruption of racial and ethnic conception of ‘blackness’ and ‘Asianness.’ Through their combination of Asian instrumentation and lyrics with “black” genre of Rap, they explain why Asians are into rap instead of supporting that Rap is a black entity. This makes a huge difference in that they “signify a potentiality in the disruption of essentializing racial/ethnic boundary formation and identification, and mark the possibility of a transcendence in the normative representations of both ‘blackness’ and ‘Asianness.’ (Sharma 43)
The group has released two singles through Nation Records
Nation Records
Nation Records is a record label set up by Kath Canoville and Aki Nawaz in 1988.-History:The label was set up after major labels declined to release their fusion of world music and dance music, an album called Fuse...
: "Big Trouble in Little Asia"/"Let the Hustlers Play" in 1993 and "On a Ride/Vigilante" 1994. They are credited with being one of the first Asian Hip Hop groups.
Their music mixes gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
lyrics and stylistics with jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
like beats, which combines to form a unique hip hop sound. The group uses their lyrics to discuss political and social issues pertinent to the Asian community.
In the song "Big Trouble in Little Asia", Hustlers HC intelligently discusses the issues of post-colonial India, racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
in Britain, and the richness of Asian culture. The blend of hip-hop and Gangsta-rap narrativity as articulated in "Big Trouble in Little Asia" was one of the first to directly address important elements about the relationship between Asian culture and political life in Britain.http://www.mutinysounds.com/film/summary/index.php In common with many rappers, Hustlers HC narrates in this song about the struggle and defense of Asian culture
Asian culture
Asian Culture may refer to:*Culture of Asia*Asian Culture , the official journal of the Singapore Society of Asian Studies...
in the face of racist, oppressive forces, both in the homeland and in Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. "Big Trouble in Little Asia" is one of their tracks to first articulate directly some significant dimensions of Asian cultural and political life in Britain. This piece featured a haunting melodic guitar line with a jazzy Hip-hop beat. The message is intensified by syncopated Reggae beats, and a rising tempo. However, there is no innocent celebration of an Asian cultural identity
Cultural identity
Cultural identity is the identity of a group or culture, or of an individual as far as one is influenced by one's belonging to a group or culture. Cultural identity is similar to and has overlaps with, but is not synonymous with, identity politics....
in this song, but rather it explores the internal opposition of an Asian cultural formation existing within a hostile and racially violent Britain. This track is significant in that it parallels the consciousness rappers in other regions of the world. They parallel it because they rap about the historical problems in the "homeland" but also rap about the current issues in Britain What makes Hustlers HC unique is also the fact that they were "the first Sikh rap crew to come out of the UK with a strong socio-political message." Hustlers HC was influential because they opened doors for whole groups of people in their respective countries. In this track, Hustlers HC are concerned with the divisions caused by certain religious and ethnic affiliations, and advocate for political unity in fighting racial oppression. They criticize the increased gang culture and the violence across ethno-religious groups within the Asian community. The end of the 'Big Trouble in Little Asia' not only shares the theme of “ghetto tales” of gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
, but also suggests that although the narrative may not directly apply to the listener, its lyrics tell a story of social significance and deserves reflection. Not only does the song tell the value of a past cultural identity, “my culture is all I have,” but also motivates for an identity to be recreated and transformed in the present as “my culture I will find.” In the Hustler HC brief published by Nation Records
Nation Records
Nation Records is a record label set up by Kath Canoville and Aki Nawaz in 1988.-History:The label was set up after major labels declined to release their fusion of world music and dance music, an album called Fuse...
, the song is characterized as a "call to all Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh youth to unify against [the previously mentioned] problems. This call for unity lies at the core of Hustlers HC philosophy." It is said that "Big Trouble in Little Asia" increasingly intensifies its message with the combination of "a haunting melodic guitar riff and jazzy hip-hop beat that carry the listener, and the rising tempo- syncopated by Reggae beats." Bhangra music movement in general encouraged Asians in England to appreciate their heritage and not be ashamed, despite the rampant bigotry of the period. The group is known for passing judgment on completely assimilated Asians, a group they view as sell-outs who have abandoned their culture. In the "Big Trouble in Little Asia", the group raps, "Weakened the most by the coconut", referring to individuals who are "brown on the outside but white on the inside". To this end, Hustlers HC advocate for political unity as well as the preservation of the Asian identity. They are criticizing Asians who have assimilated into British culture and become cultural sell-outs.
Hustlers HC often blends hip-hop and gangster rap lyrically while allowing the beat to be influenced by a more relaxed and smooth jazz-influenced sound. 'Big Trouble in Little Asia' became one of the first tracks to bring Asian politics and culture to the ears of Britain. "A haunted melodic guitar riff and jazzy Hip-Hop beat carry the listener, and the rising tempo--syncopated by Reggae breaks--increasingly intensifies the message."
“Their track ‘Big trouble in Little Asia’ is one of the first to articulate directly some significant dimensions of Asian cultural and political like in Britain. A haunting melodic guitar riff and jazzy Hip-Hop beat carry the listener, and the rising tempo—syncopated by Reggae breaks—increasingly intensifies the message.” One of their popular song lyrics reads, “ Your corrupt culture makes my rich culture look poor, I’m trying to learn more about my past, I’m fighting to make my culture last…” The Hustlers HC is trying to make a change where they are in the world any way they can. They need to use their language in forms of rap music to get their message out and for others to hear the hardships they are presented with day-to-day.
On the flip side of 'Big Trouble...' was "Let the Hustlers Play" which literally is a more playful "up-front funky hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
tune with unmistakable Asian flavour combining dope beats with boasting toasting lyrical skills..."
In the 1994 release On a Ride / Vigilante, Hustlers HC follows a similar pattern to their first single with a relaxed funky track and an angry political track. "On A Ride" has a fun relaxed beat and is based around a break from the 70's British funk band Hi-Tension. The B-Side, "Vigilante - mind of the confused and angry" "takes on various view points expressed by young Asians as to how to tackle the increasing number of racially motivated attacks vented against their communities."
The music of Hustlers HC contributed to lessening the religious gap in Asian society in addition to giving Sikhs a new found respect within the rap community. They also assisted the creation of "one of the first and most respected Asian night clubs in London, Bombay Jungle at the Wag Club". In both of their records, Hustlers HC has managed to bridge the gap of the conscious and the playful.
Discography
- On a Ride / Vigilante (single) 1994
- Big Trouble in Little Asia / Let the Hustlers Play (single) 1993