Final Review: Remixing Identities

Radical Sista:
The name radical makes a statement because as a woman, she is departing from the usual/customary positions of women in the Indian culture by dj'ing. Radical also means favoring fundamental changes in current practices, which also goes along with Radical Sista's views on her music. She breaks away from what is expected of woman and of djs; she went out to the clubs that were mostly male populated, and she dj's in traditional Indian clothing. She is a role model for Asian women in Britain to be different and to do what you want, no matter what society wants you to do.

Re-mixing Identities

The first question asked of both Bally Sagoo and Radical Sista was their "origins" or background in relation to music. They each discussed what kind of music they grew up with, and how they both rooted themselves in and diverged from the styles they were so accustomed to. I find it interesting how, in Sagoo's life, there was already a presence or blending of both Western and Asian music, due to the differing interests of his father and mother. His father was in a pop band in the early sixties that resembled the Beatles and performed popular film tunes. He therefore embodied Western music for Sagoo in Sagoo's early life. On the other hand, Sagoo's mother was a priest in a temple who played religious music which was heavily Indian-based. Both styles influenced Sagoo early on in his life, so it was no surprise when he took this blend and carried it on into more modern styles, fusing them more closely into each other. Radical Sista, on the other hand, was not into Asian music at all. Initially she preferred Punk and Disco, until her interests shifted towards Hip-Hop and Breakdance. It is interesting how historical and cultural changes (such as the shifting role of young Asian women from housewives to college students) moved both Sagoo and Radical Sista towards the "re-mixing" of their musical styles as well as their own personal identities.

Radical Sista

I thought it was really interesting that Ranjin Kaur’s DJ name is Radical Sista. In a way, she was appointing herself to be a “radical” change, not solely with music, but also with a humanistic and cultural change. For example, she points out that “there were more Asian women at college and they were going to the daytime gigs” (270). With the influx of more women at college, there were changing ideals on the stereotypes of women. Although it was hard, as she references one time when she was probably one out of four women at an event with 700 men, she is that “radical” change, slowly progressing the way women are viewed in contemporary society. With music as a medium for participation , women are able to actively engage in changing the past’s norms for women. Also, she mentions that “on the family front it was kind of like, ‘we’ve lost her now, we’ve lost her to the world of music… no one is going to marry her’” (272). I thought this was funny, but also accurate in the way it depicts a lot of the old stereotypes. If something doesn’t sit well with parents or is just out of the ordinary, it’s difficult to imagine that domesticated lifestyle and standards for that different individual. Being “lost to music” was comical because it’s as if they make it seem like she lost her sanity to it. However, I think that Radical Sista’s family perhaps overlooked the fact that her music highlights her parents’ past in Punjab; her music glorifies the cultural history and makes it relevant and engaging to a wider audience.

Re Mixing Identites article

I think that it is really cool to look at this type of music and to have a small glimpse of how it has progressed from its beginning. I like the part in the interview where someone mentioned how every place has to have its stages. It is so true. In history you can look around at different societies and each has stages of development and they don't have to be identical, but they all follow a certain mold. Another point, Bally is great because he understands that for his music to reach the popularity he desires he must be promoted by the Western market. I feel like maybe the fact that other musicians have not realized this has hindered their success. It is important to understand that the Western music stations may be playing meaningless and talentless pop music for entertainment, but that these stations are still legit. even though they play that music. It is upsetting to see musicians who are great say "I don't want to be a sell out" and so they don't attempt to become popular or share their talent. I also wanted to comment on the racism issue. I think that it is another main reason why the Asians were stifled and I am still seeing the same thing today, but in another way. Those who listen to specific types of music, be it rock or hip hop or whatever, are extremely closed minded to other styles. Yeah, that isn't EXACTLY racism but it is a bias and an attitude that reflects racism in that certain musical styles have certain specific racial followings and, for example, a white girl listening to hard core rap or whatever will be judged much more harshly than a black guy listening to it.... because its "his music." I believe that it is important to have the musicians like Bally R. and Radical Sista out there who just want to spread the music to whoever will listen because the general population feels like they have a claim on music that comes from their own race.