The 1st October 2011 was the date and the HMV Hammersmith Apollo was the venue for the 2011 Brit Asia Music Awards, which recognised another great year of achievement in the British Asian Music Scene for 2011.
Brit Asia TV features the very best in Asian music, both UK based and overseas music. Being a diverse channel with a main focus of Bhangra, Punjabi Pop and Bollywood, Brit Asia TV also offers viewers RnB, Urban music, Hip Hop and Underground music.
The awards this year featured 14 distinctive categories for 14 prestigious awards. A mixed awards evening with some anticipated winners and some definite surprises. The night was filled with a fantastic electric atmosphere of performances, awards speeches and many celebrities from the British Asian music industry and beyond. Top performers on the night included Garry Sandhu, Jazzy B, JK and Sukshinder Shinda.
Garry Sandhu bagged two awards for Best Newcomer and Best Male Act. Satinder Sartaj picked up one award on the night for Best International Act.
Awards were presented by many well known names not just from the world of music. Including footballer Zesh Rahman, comedian Shazia Mirza, racing car champion Karun Chandhok and Sports writer and journalist Mihir Bose.
And the winners of the 2011 Brit Asia Music Awards were:
BEST NEWCOMER
Garry Sandhu
BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT
Satinder Sartaaj
BEST “NON-ASIAN” MUSIC PRODUCER
Kray Twinz
BEST VIDEO
Pumbeeri
BEST MALE ACT
Garry Sandhu
BEST FEMALE ACT
Preeya Kalidas
BEST BAND
Jazzy B
BEST URBAN ASIAN ACT
The Truth
BEST SINGLE
Moorni (Punjabi MC)
BEST ALBUM
Gabru Panjab Dha (JK)
BEST “ASIAN-MUSIC” PRODUCER
Panjabi MC
BEST CLUB DJ
DJ Kayper
BEST ALTERNATIVE ACT
Nasha Experience
BEST SONGWRITER
Jandu Littranwala
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Bhujhangy Group
These annual music awards acknowledged artists for their contribution to British Asian music and with 14 awards which honoured the “voice of the fans.” Any form of encouragement and support for the British Asian music industry in these very tough times is always a good look and the 2011 Brit Asia Music Awards show had all the qualities of a good night with lots of celebrations and commiserations!