“Bringing hip-hop to the most populous democracy in the world is the1shanti’s destiny, and a most righteous missionary he is.”
-URB Magazine
Brooklyn Shanti is the launchpad for an artist named Nabin: An MC. A Producer. A Composer. A DJ. An Executive Producer and much more…
However one chooses to complete the sentence, Nabin (or Shanti) has spent the past
decade displaying his enthusiasm for the art of noise. He has recorded under various names, the most widely recognized being “the1shanti”.
Bengali in origin, decidedly hip-hop in orientation; as an artist, Shanti’s explorations have pushed
boundlessly against the boundaries of self-expression. The output created with collaborators in his blast radius echo around the world today, influencing a new generation of artitsts.
Shanti’s mission has been to introduce hip-hop culture to India. His odyssey also entails the introduction of Bengali culture to a brave new world.
Shanti began his career supporting hip-hop pioneers such as Doug E. Fresh and
Ultramagnetics MCs. Although his adolescent path included signings to a variety of major and
independent label deals, it wasn’t until 2000’s Blaxploitation on Soulspazm Records (charting #13 on GAVIN) that he was capable of showcasing this rhyming and production talents on wide release. 2001 saw the release of his Deadline EP, which peaked at #1 on Rap Attack’s Hip Hop charts and was
primarily self-produced. Shortly thereafter, Shanti joined the Dum Dum Project (DDP) with whom
collaborations with Asha Puthli and a supporting cast of Bollywood-based musicians would lead to
relocation in London.
Shanti has collaborated with A. R. Rahman, Sonik Gurus, the Foreign Beggars, Italy’s Feel Good
Productions, ElekTro4, Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin and Wood), and Niraj Chag which has provided an ample opportunity to release a consistent catalog of music to keep him touring non-stop as an artist.
It was during the time that the Dum Dum Project was recording Spiritual Bling that Shanti enjoyed a
residency as an emcee and DJ at Swaraj with DDP and was a frequent guest at DJ Pathaan’s Stoned Asia. 2003-2006, spent primarily between Bombay, Bangkok, London, and New York would see DDP raise global awareness for their fusion-based brand of hip-hop.
In 2006, Afrika Bambaataa, the godfather of hip-hop culture, aware of Shanti’s efforts to spread a
positive message through hip-hop in South Asia, dubbed the artist the ‘Indian Bambaataa’.
2006 to the present day have been hyper productive years for Shanti, who upon returning to New York full-time has released two solo records; 2006’s India Bambaataa (Laskar Music) and 2007’s the1shanti on the legendary hip-hop label, Rawkus Records. DDP’s Spiritual Bling (Universal) and Func Spec’s The Spice (Laskar Music) have become benchmarks in South Asian hip-hop and the evolving Global Bass movement.
Shanti has continued touring, written for and produced numerous projects ranging from soundtracks to advertising; and has mentored new talent for various labels including his own (also entitled Brooklyn
Shanti), such as Tape Deck Prophets, God’s Prototype, Func Spec, Bonita Applebum and more.
Shanti has joined west coast collective, Gnawledge Records and contributed to the ongoing work of DJ/Producer/ethnomusicologist, Canyon Cody‘s growing catalog and live show endeavors. Shanti is a member of Brooklyn-based DJ collective, Cumba Mela, whose mission is to push the sounds of global culture forward. Shanti has also collaborated with Rhythm & Culture founder and musical curator, Thomas Blondet, for the past two decades.
Shanti is currently in the studio with a wide range of legendary musicians ranging from Afrika Bambaataa to KutMasta Kurt and Karsh Kale, while recording his third studio album from which the first single, Rani Rani, has been supported by DJs, media and fans worldwide.
