Beware

Panjabi MC | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sequence
• ASIN: B00009ZYBK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,078 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From URB Magazine

If you’ve been within shouting distance of any self-respecting "urban" radio station this past summer, you doubtlessly heard Jay-Z’s monster remix of Panjabi MC’s "Beware" countless times. That inimitable Indian sitar melody over a thick, syrupy beat while Panjabi and Jay just go buck wild on the mics. It was definitely among the hip-hop anthems of the summer, one of those beats like Nas’ "Made You Look" and N.O.R.E.’s "Nothin’" that will always get heads open at the party. But are you ready for the straight dope, without the NYC mixer? You should be, as Beware is a seriously hype journey into a sexy new world. Right from the second track, the brooding love song "Mirza Part 2," it’s on (at least if the wailing, exotically melodic male vocals are any indication it’s a love long. I can’t understand the language, but only a woman can cause that kind of plaintive emotion). "Jogi" brings back the fun with an up-tempo and a high-pitched female voice that’s coolly cartoonish. From the dramatic "Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee" to the slowed-down house sway of "Jindi Mahi," this album rocks. Hard.

Permanent Ink

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Infectious, catchy and fresh, December 6, 2003

By 

Greg (Springfield, OR, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beware (Audio CD)

I originally heard Pan'Jabi MC a few months ago by chance after a random click on launch.yahoo.com. I was quite taken by the lead song, Jobi. Just recently I found there CD and on a whim, bought it. I'm by taste, a fan of most forms of rap and hip hop (minus dirty south) and up for listening to most anything hip hop.

Pan'Jabi is fresh, using traditional Indian instruments and lyrics over modern hip hop break beats and bass lines. There's some fun reworking of TV show themes as "Beware" uses a clever interpretation of the Knight Rider theme song and Magnum PI can be found in Jatt Ho Giya Sharabee. The knight rider bit has been done before by various beat smiths for a few major rap artists, but not quite like this. Add an on point, Jay-Z (as much as I love him, he can be a bit sloppy) and you've got one sick track.

The only gripes I have with this CD is the few English tracks, minus the Jay-Z one, aren't quite as stimulating as the rest of the CD. True MC's is your atypical underground anti-commercial bite on main stream rap but without some of the lyrical dexterity of more recent artists like Louis Logic's Street Smarts. Sounds of the Dres doesn't fair much better; run of the mill smoked out rhymes lack the energy and flair found on the rest of the CD.

Still, the whole CD is quite listenable. All it takes is an open mind, an ear for new and different sounds and at least a little love for hip hop and you'll be blessed with one hell of a CD.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great intro to indian music for numb american ears, April 22, 2004

By 

D. Wagoner (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beware (Audio CD)

I started out on the other side of indian music- the classical, heavily instrumental sound often composed of just a sitar. The genre is amazing, calming, genius, and a nice break from the 4/4 mediocrity that so much American music has become.

This album is a nice blend of vocal samples, bhangra beats, and some hip hop thrown in. To coin a comparison, Panjabi MC is the Moby of bhangra.

I am a big fan of his popular tunes, but the track that gets me is Ghalla Gurian, with an absolutely intoxicating female voice starting out the track.

Jugni has some of the finest drum beats I've heard.

The album is a work of art as a whole, and will see much more popularity shortly as it gets more recognition.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking on the World!, November 7, 2003

By 

Frederick Evans (Sao Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beware (Audio CD)

Its kind of amazing to see how music can break all ethnic, religious and cultural boundaries. I am about to write a review for an artist from India, in an American website, and I live in Brazil! Its awesome! Anyway, I was listening to the radio the other day and suddently this song came up...nice beats, some dude singing in arabic or something, but somehow I really enjoyed. Then I was in a club and the same song came about and you should've been there to see the crowds reaction....it was like everyone was waiting for it...the floor just exploded! Well, to make a long story short, I found out that Panjabe MC does not sing in arabic (obviously!) and that "Beware" kicks butt!! I really dont have a clue what he says, but I guess in this case his music is very intuitive for me..I like it even though I dont understand the words. Anyway, just wanted to drop by my 2 cents and give thumbs up for Panjabi