Rishi Rich Profile 

These days we’re used to hearing Timbaland sample classical Indian records on his tracks and seeing Missy Elliott dance to the beat of the dhol drum or tumbi in her videos. But long before the biggest stars of US Hip Hop and R&B world got a taste for Indian music, one UK beat-maker was carving out an impressive career as a producer and songwriter with his fusion of Asian and urban sounds. 

Rishi Rich was still at school when he signed his first record deal, as part of production outfit 2 Kool. Driven by a desire to bring together the sounds of Bollywood, Bhangra and contemporary urban music, Rishi pioneered a sound that resonated with British-Asian youth and enjoyed a string of hits as a result. He produced a staggering 10 albums during this period, culminating in the release of his first solo project, ‘Simply Rich, which debuted at No.1 in the Asian charts in 2002 and stayed in the Top 5 for more than six months.

Rishi has also made a considerable mark on the mainstream pop and urban charts, producing and remixing hits for Britney Spears, Mary J Blige, Misteeq, Craig David, Ricky Martin and Liberty X.

Shortly after joining 2Point9 Records in 2003, he formed the Rishi Rich Project, a collective aimed at showcasing new artists. The first single ‘Nachna Tere Naal (Dance With You’) introduced R&B singer Jay Sean and Punjabi vocalist Juggy D, and went to No.12 in the UK pop charts. Jay Sean’s Rishi Rich-produced debut album ‘Me Against Myself’ followed, going multi-platinum in India and selling over 300,000 units worldwide.

Over the past two years, the Rishi Rich Project have toured extensively, performing in North America, Europe, SE Asia, the Middle East and India, where they played to a television audience of 165 million at the prestigious MTV IMMES*. Rishi’s music has also featured on a number of Bollywood film soundtracks, including 2003’s hit film ‘Boom’, 2004 hit ‘Hum Tum’ (for which he produced the title track) and last year’s box office smash ‘Kyaa Kool Hai Hum’.

Rishi Rich has been recognized for his musical achievements at the Asian Music Awards, the Carlton Multi-Cultural Achievement Awards*, and the EMMA’s*, and for his weekly radio show ‘The Rishi Rich Project’ (on Kiss 100 FM) at the SONY Radio Awards*.

In 2006, Rishi Rich releases the much anticipated ‘Rishi Rich Project’ album, showcasing a new wave of talent. He is also co-producing an album with Puerto Rican hit-makers the Luny Tunes – a fusion of Bhangra and Reggaeton – and working on new projects with both Jay Sean and Juggy D.