Rajé Shwari
Background information
Born (1977-08-04) August 4, 1977
United States
GenresHip Hop, Urban, Pop, Bollywood
Occupation(s)Musician, Songwriter, Producer, Entrepreneur
Years active1997–present
LabelsSony UK, Beat Club, Interscope, BollyHood Records
Websitewww.rajeshwari.com

Rajé Shwari (born August 4, 1977) [1] is an American-born Indian hip hop artist, best known for her feature on Timbaland & Magoo's "Indian Flute".[2] Shwari has also worked with Jay-Z, Nas, Kanye West, Missy Elliott and Pharrell.

Early years

Shwari grew up outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a traditional Indian household.[3] During her school years, she began identifying with hip-hop. She described her parents as "very strict and old fashioned", but said they allowed her the freedom of "buying records and going to rock concerts" as long as she got good grades.[4]

Shwari's father continued this reward system by booking studio time whenever she came home with a favorable report card.[5] During her college years, Shwari got her first record deal offer overseas, and dropped her studies to pursue music professionally.

Music career

By 2005, Shwari had been dubbed "Timbaland's Protege"[6] and was featured on his single "Indian Flute". She also worked with Jay-Z on his single "The Bounce", a tribute to the September 11 attacks,[6] later included on the soundtrack for NBA 2K13,[7][8]

In 2012, Shwari started her own production company, BollyHood.[3]

Rajé Shwari at the Beyond Bollywood Exhibit at the Smithsonian

In February 2014, Shwari was included in a permanent exhibition in the Smithsonian Institute's Natural History Museum in Washington D.C., entitled "Beyond Bollywood", which presented the contributions of prominent South Asians in the United States.[9] Shwari was included as an example of South Asian hip-hop.

In 2015, Shwari was included in Anokhi magazine's list of the Most Prominent South Asians.[10]

Discography

YearTitleLabel
2001Worship You[11]Sound Design, ZYX Music
2002 Disco (Remix)[12] Capitol Records
2003Indian Flute[13]Blackground Records
2003Indian Flute/Naughty Eye[14]Blackground Records, Universal
2003 The Bounce Rocafella Records
2004 The Flyest Star Trak/Sony
2005 Candyshop Shady/Aftermath
2010 Keep A Secret BollyHood Records
2013 Get Your Life BollyHood Records
2014 I'm Famous in BollyHood BollyHood Records
2016 Kitty Kat BollyHood Records
2023 Outcaste BollyHood Records

References

  1. ↑ "@therealraje" on Twitter
  2. ↑ "Timbaland & Magoo - Indian Flute E.P". Discogs. 2003.
  3. 1 2 Girn, Raj (2015). The ANOKHI List 2015. Anmeco Optimedia Communications, Inc. p. 24,25.
  4. ↑ "Indian Parenting". 2012-04-27.
  5. ↑ "That Philly girl with the BollyHood sound has a single out". 2013-11-08.
  6. 1 2 Melnick, Jeffery. 9/11. John Wiley & Sons.
  7. ↑ "Jay-Z brings 'The Bounce' to new NBA 2K13 'All-Star' trailer". AXS. Archived from the original on 2015-09-23.
  8. ↑ "Jay-Z Scores U2, Kanye West for 'NBA 2K13' Soundtrack". Billboard.
  9. ↑ "Beyond Bollywood". Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.
  10. ↑ "ANOKHI List 2015".
  11. ↑ "Rajé* - Worship You". Discogs. 2001.
  12. ↑ "Slum Village - Disco (Remix) Featuring – Ms. Jade, Raje Shwari". Discogs. 2002.
  13. ↑ "Timbaland & Magoo - Indian Flute". Discogs. 2003.
  14. ↑ "Timbaland & Magoo Featuring Sebastian (3) & Raje Shwari - Indian Flute / Naughty Eye". Discogs. 28 July 2023.
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