Bollywood music has a less talked about secret ingredient- Featuring global superstars! Forget subtitles, these international artists aren’t just lending their voices, they’re shaking up the industry. From soulful melodies to electrifying rap verses, get ready to discover iconic collaborations that prove music truly speaks a universal language. Let’s go.
SNOOP DOGG IN SINGH IS KINNG
Forget swaggering through Hollywood streets, in 2008, Snoop Dogg, aka Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., took his star power all the way to Bollywood! Lending his iconic rap verses to Akshay Kumar’s movie “Singh Is Kinng,” Snoop didn’t just bless the title track, he even jumped into the music video alongside the Bollywood superstar. The result? A genre-bending banger that exploded in popularity, proving that East meets West in the most unexpected and electrifying ways when it comes to music.
AKON IN RA.ONE
Bollywood celebrity Shahrukh Khan pulled out all the stops for his 2011 sci-fi extravaganza RA.ONE, and a secret weapon turned out to be Senegalese-American singer Akon. His infectious song “Chammak Challo” became a club anthem across India, its pulsating rhythm and catchy lyrics instantly grabbing fans’ attention. Directed by the music duo Vishal-Shekhar, the song’s success not only boosted RA.ONE’s popularity but also skyrocketed Akon’s fame in the country, solidifying his place in the Indian music scene.
ARASH IN BLUFFMASTER
The music opens with a hint of Iranian flavors blended with the traditional Indian punjabi rhythm. The 2005 film Bluffmaster, had an interesting track titled ‘Boro Boro’ that brought Indian and Iranian musical explorations together. Acclaimed Iranian-Swedish singer Arash is known to have opened the track along with his appearance in the music video, along with Abhishek Bachchan and Riteish Deshmukh. Arash’s Iranian-Western fusion in Boro Boro ignited India’s charts, making him a Bollywood fan fave!
TATA YOUNG IN DHOOM
From Bangkok to Bollywood, the Thai-American pop queen conquered hearts with her firecracker energy! Her vocals and infectious dance moves exploded onto the scene in 2004 with the title track of the movie “Dhoom,” instantly becoming a Bollywood anthem. Despite not venturing further into Hindi cinema, Young Tata’s “Dhoom girl” legacy lives on, her sizzling performance forever etched in the hearts of fans and cementing her place as a Bollywood icon with a global beat.
KYLIE MINOGUE IN BLUE
Remember that iconic line from the Movie Blue-“I Wanna Chiggy Wiggy”? Here’s where we got to acknowledge the unique ideas of giving Bollywood music a sensational global touch. Kylie Minogue, the Australian singer and actress, is the artist behind that iconic line, who was also among the first global artists to collaborate with this industry. Showcasing her singing, acting and dancing skills in the song ‘I Wanna Chiggy Wiggy’ from the 2009 film Blue, the film starred Akshay Kumar among other prominent actors.
NATALIE DI LUCCIO IN BAND BAAJA BAARAAT
Bollywood compositions in this regard, seems to have similarities in music arrangements and songwriting. Not only do all these songs feature new and diverse voices, but they also have these voices play establishing duties musically and cinematically, after which the lead vocalist takes over with the verse or the hook line. An excellent example of that would be this song. Hailing from the crossroads of Canada and Italy, Natalie Di Luccio has woven her operatic magic into the tapestry of Bollywood, earning the mellifluous title of “Bollywood’s Soprano.” Her enchanting journey began in 2010 with the vibrant melodies of “Band Baaja Baarat,” where she captivated audiences in the Indian music scene. Since then, her voice has graced over a dozen Indian films, each note a testament to the seamless fusion of East and West.
DWAYNE BRAVO IN TUM BIN 2
West Indian cricket star Dwayne Bravo surprised fans by stepping off the pitch and onto the mic in 2016. He teamed up with Indian singer Ankit Tiwari for “Jager Bomb” in the film Tum Bin 2. Though the movie didn’t hit a six at the box office, the song showcased Bravo’s hidden talent and proved he’s a man of many skills, both on and off the field.
ORIANTHI PANAGARIS (GUITARIST) IN ROCKSTAR
A contrasting collaboration among these songs is Sadda Haq, where the renowned Australian guitarist Orianthi Panagaris is known to have interesting riffs and melodies. At its heart, a magical collaboration bloomed between the maestro of Indian melodies, A.R. Rahman, and the Australian guitar goddess, Orianthi Panagaris. Listen to this track and find out more.
LUDACRIS IN BREAKAWAY
The famous rapper and actor, Christopher Brian Bridges popularly known as Ludacris featured as a special artist in 2011’s Canadian film Breakaway (Speedy Singh), which was co-produced by Akshay Kumar.
All information sourced from various sources purely for factual reporting purpose only
Image courtesy: Don Arnold (Getty Images)
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