Media Kit

From Left: Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti, Balwinder Singh Bhatti, Vijay Chattha, Jon Cook, Mandeep Sethi, J-Slim, Tim Chang, Satish Pillai

From Left: Jon Cook, Pangfua Her, Vijay Chattha, Satish Pillai, Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti, Jay Slim, Mandeep Sethi, Tim Chang, Sandeep Bhatt

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BLACKMAHAL MEDIA KIT

Part P-Funk, part Punjabi-Funk, BlackMahal is a San Francisco-based live music experience complete with drums, DJs, horns, hip-hop MCs, and the godfather of Punjabi-American music – Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti.

BlackMahal is steeped in Old California, a Punjabi-American experience that started in the 1890s when the first Punjabi-Americans settled in the Great West and forged a new identity combining elements of Mexican and African-American influence.

BlackMahal also represents the new California feel: hippy hybrid hip-hop and hysterical hi-jinks. BlackMahal has rocked major concerts across North America including the 2010 Vancouver Olympics with features in Rolling Stone, Wired, The San Francisco Chronicle, and rotation on the BBC Radio 1.

“Four words: These guys freaking rule! It was a pleasure working with BlackMahal. Such a great experience is amplified when you have the opportunity to work with people who resonate so well together.”

<- Mo Dhaliwal, Director, Vancouver Olympics Committee

THE GODFATHER OF DHOL

Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti is an American Music Icon and the most famous dhol drum and Punjabi vocalist in the world. Known as the ‘Godfather of the Dhol’, Bhatti has collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas, The Doors and many other major artists.

Over the past 43 years, Bhatti has performed for nearly every U.S. President since Gerald Ford as well has being honored at the opening of the Smithsonian Sikh Gallery in 2005. After picking up the dhol drum instrument as a teenager, he quickly won the hearts of India by the way he played and was invited by the Government of India to serve as cultural music liaison to the country via worldwide music tours to 25 countries.

For over four decades, Bhatti has used the power of dhol, bhangra and Punjabi music to bring people of all cultures together including performances at America’s Bi-Centennial celebration in 1976 all the way to the 2010 Vancouver Olympics as official Cultural Olympiad Performer. If you meet him or ever see him perform, it is guaranteed that you will never forget him.