Sahotas

The Sahotas rank among the globe’s most accomplished Bhangra acts, fusing reggae, rock, and dance rhythms into their signature hypnotic Indo-Brit grooves. Fronted by vocalist and songwriter Surjit Sahota, the five-brother ensemble scored multiple chart-topping Bhangra releases, among them Sahota Beat in 1988, Brotherhood in 1999, and Teri Meri Gal Ban Gayee in 2000. Their 1993 single “Hass Hogia” still holds the record as the format’s all-time best-selling release. The group attained its commercial zenith in 1991, when Ishk lodged in the Top Ten for an unmatched five months; during the same period the band collected the Best Upcoming Band trophy at the U.K. Asian Pop Awards and the Best Innovative Band honor at the Bhangra Music Awards. Unauthorized copies of Ishk circulated widely across Europe and Africa. The ensemble gained its broadest visibility by serving as the opening act for British reggae band Aswad on a United Kingdom tour. Throughout the remainder of the 1990s the Sahotas sustained an active recording and performance schedule, solidifying their standing as the premier Bhangra outfit worldwide. In 2002 they issued Revolution, which earned broad critical praise.