All-Star Indian Lineup Including Desert Storm's Thara Shine At Bollywood Awards
Published: Wednesday - May 4, 2005
Words by Mark Lelinwalla
Thara (Photo: Desert Storm)
Some of the most talented Indian fashion designers and artists combined to get it popping on stage Friday (April 30) and Saturday night (May 1) at the Bollywood Fashion Awards and Bollywood Awards, aptly held at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Highlights of the two-night event included a sizzling performance from Desert Storm's R&B queen Thara, the entire Rishi Rich Project, infusing hip-hop, R&B and Indian rhythms on stage together, and one of the best selling UK artists in Raghav, finessing the females in the crowd.
Thara wearing a midriff exposing tube-top and sari-like skirt outfit boasted her smooth vocals, while moving seductively in unison with her two background dancers.
To the crowd's delight, Thara took the mic and exclaimed, "Where's my people!?" As the crowd made noise in appreciation and anticipation, Thara first hit the stage to the sultry sounds of "Shake It." Then just when it looked like her performance was over and she was about to walk off the stage, the lights flashed off and back on, as DJ Clue's voice reverberated through the speakers, with a Clue-eque drop to the sounds of, "DJ Clue, Desert Storm, Thara!"
Then out came fellow Desert Storm recording artist/MC, Stack Bundles, to lend the assist on "You Want It." Thara and Stack showed great chemistry and presence on stage exchanging vocals and rhymes, as the crowd bopped their heads in approval.
"Performing was incredible," Thara told BallerStatus.com. "Meeting all the artists, actors and actresses was really just a great experience. There was such positive energy everywhere. I was honored to be a part of it."
"She works extremely hard and you see it on stage," Jeremy Skaller, Thara's producer, said following her performance.
In addition to Thara, it was evident that the crowd was feeling Raghav and the entire Rishi Rich Project, including Jay Sean. Sean both rhymes and croons, as he'll tell you himself. "Hip-hop is my first love, R&B is my mistress," he frequently said. A trip up to New York City's mega power radio station, Hot 97 may be in the works for him soon.
Rishi Rich on the other hand, a famed UK producer and artist with Indian roots, sports an impressive resume citing collaborations connections with Mary J. Blige, Britney Spears, Craig David and Ricky Martin. Following his performance at the awards, he revealed his future plans to invade the United States.
"I'm going to be moving to the States through Universal," an exciting Rishi Rich told Ballerstatus.com. "They're going to put me up in Manhattan, Atlanta and L.A. to work with artists that are signed to Universal. I'd love to be the first Asian, Indian guy that's working with 50 Cent, Usher or whomever. People need to hear my stuff here and let's see what happens."
Years ago we saw the so-called "Latin Invasion" take over mainstream American media and so, who knows, perhaps the Indian Invasion may be next!?
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