A LOCAL band have collaborated with a 90s music star on their latest single which they describe as a “celebration of Birmingham and all the cultures within it.”

Bhangra Smash Up are a band from the Black Country who have joined forces with singer Apache Indian for their new song “Brum Town”.

Apache Indian, whose real name is Steven Kapur, is considered by many as the first British Indian artist to hit the UK mainstream music charts, best known for his hit ‘Boom Shak A Lak’.

Officially released last week on November 22, Bhangra Smash Up also collaborated with producer DJ Nicky B on the track and said it was bonding over their shared Birmingham roots with Apache Indian that sparked the collaboration.

Gursh Bhujhangy, one of the founding members of Bhangra Smash Up, said: "The collab was accidental really.

“We were performing in Middlesbrough in 2022 and [Apache Indian] was the headline act.

“We got talking backstage and spoke about how we were both from around Birmingham.

“He liked us and liked what we did and called us up on stage and we performed a collaboration together.

“Afterwards, I said, that was amazing let’s do something together.”

It took a year for Apache Indian to write the lyrics, with DJ Nicky B composing the melodies and Bhangra Smash Up adding their captivating percussion beats to the track.

Gursh described ‘Brum Town’ as something different to what Bhangra Smash Up has done before, saying “it captures the heart of Birmingham”.

He said: “The song is a celebration of Birmingham.

“It’s about celebrating and bringing communities together and celebrating happiness.

“A lot of things are happening around the world right now, but this song has been made to bring everyone together and celebrate Birmingham and its people through our sound.”

The first live performance of Brum Town will be at the Mary Stevens Hospice charity Santa Dash on December 8, an organisation the band holds “close to their hearts”.

The original line up was Gursh (left), Ryan (middle) and Josh (right)The original line up was just Gursh (left), Ryan (middle) and Josh (right) (Image: Gursh Bhujhangy) Bhangra Smash Up began as a three-piece fusion Dhol band, with members Gursh, Josh and Ryan creating a sound that was a mix of traditional Eastern sounds with Western beats.

Their first ever performance was at a different charity event for the hospice in 2017 and, ever since, Bhangra Smash Up have said they want to continue using their music to “make a difference to people’s lives in the community”.

Bhangra Smash Up has since grown over the years into a musical family, with new band members joining and their presence growing.

Gursh said: “We challenge ourselves to make each song better than the previous one and try to be as creative as we can and bring something new to the table.

“Over the years, the band and the team have grown and if it wasn’t for the local community from Dudley, Sandwell and Birmingham, we wouldn’t have gotten anywhere.

“We’re very humbled.”