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R.I.P. Kuldeep (Kuly) Ral (1976 – 2012)

News came last night that Kuly (one third of the trio of brothers from RDB) had passed away, an official press release was posted on RDB’s website a few hours ago.

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Years ago, a father with three sons introduced them to the world of music. It wasn’t any kind of music however, it was the music of their religion.

Fast forward to the age of 14, when most kids start realising what music they’re really into, and form a bond with, which in turn provokes the trio of brothers to start remixing some of those tunes. They get good at it, and start live mixing and buy themselves a couple of decks and CD mixers.

Fast forward to the year 2000, and that early introduction to music helped those Bradford boys spur a worldwide phenomenon.

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Kuly’s first foray into the UK Bhangra scene was with Surinder Rattan. With the release of Tappe, a new sound was created, and RDB were one of a very few who knew how to mix it just right.

Tappe

With the release of Putt Sardara De, the trio burst onto the scene like no other at the time. They generated a lot of buzz and excitement, which helped the group quickly become famous around the UK, and amongst those people around the world with an internet connection and a know-how of where to download their songs.

Put Sardara De

More album releases and compilations ensued, and their star became brighter. More and more people that listened to UK Bhangra craved their albums. Just look at these numbers:

- Over 100,000 CDs from their debut album sold worldwide
- 50,000 CDs of their second album sold in Pakistan alone
- Their third album sold out in the UK after 2 weeks

Sah Rukh Da

Balle Balle

Along with those staggering numbers at that time, they helped launch many careers. If it weren’t for RDB, we would never have known Metz and Trix, DJ H, Indy Sagu, Illegal Demo, Mehsopuria, E=MC or Pal D.

Kuly, was a focused individual. I read an interview with him from 2004, where he said that they had aspirations to break into Bollywood.

Three years later, they did just that by producing Rafta Rafta for the movie Namaste London, and that was just the tip of the iceberg, as during the following year, they linked up with Snoop Dogg to produce Singh is Kinng.

The move to Bollywood worked, as they had millions of new fans who were now following them, and seeing them on tour, and I can say that most of them didn’t know about the humble beginnings and the hustle they put in to reach there. (My sister can attest to that. She doesn’t know Sah Rukh Da, but she sure knows about Singh is Kinng)

Singh is Kinng

Sadi Gali

(RDBs original Sadi Gali was released a long time ago, but it was the re-release of it for the movie Tanu Weds Manu, that made it even more popular.)

With all this ambition and focus, people will tell you that Kuly still remained as humble as ever. In another interview I read, the interviewer asked what the high points and low points were from touring across the four corners of the globe. Kuly replied: “Low points …hmm… are you crazy? We livin it mate! The good life, there are no low points!”. I’m sure they had some not so stellar gigs, but that never stopped Kuly from being an optimist and the jovial self he always was.

Seeti

Jawani

(Not too many people know that Kuly and RDB had a hand in the production of these two gigantic songs)

While I didn’t like the direction they started taking with their move to Bollywood, and the fact that they started to sing all of their own songs. I will always appreciate what they did for the scene in their early days. I remember paying what seems like an enormous amount of ?10 for their Urban Flavas CD back in 2002, while I was in the UK that Summer. It will go down as one of my most favourite and complete albums ever.

While I know this will not be the end of RDB, it will be inspirational (and emotional) to see the two brothers continue to strive and be the type of group Kuly had helped to shape.

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An enormous outpouring of dedications and support has been shown for Kuly. Inder of Twin Beats said it best “You know the guy was BIG when pretty much the whole industry tweets their messages of condolence.”

Here are some notable tweets:

My heart goes out to kully and the whole rdb family.Great loss to the friends and family that knew him.

— DJ SANJ (official) (@DJSANJ1) May 23, 2012

Just got news about Kully from @RDB omg my jaw dropped! Very sorry to hear this news, my condolences to the family! R.I.P

— Bilz Music (@BilzMusic) May 23, 2012

Don’t know if it’s confirmed or not, but RIP Kully RDB, a true pioneer of Urban Bhangra.

— TwinBeatsUK (@TwinBeatsUK) May 23, 2012

my brother kully rdb has passed away.. god bless his family…i will neva forget hin.. hes was and is my ppl..

— Dj Surinder Rattan (@SurinderRattan) May 23, 2012

Sad sad news about kully @rdbtv … Rest in Peace bro. Sending thoughts and condolences to all RDB family, friends and global fans.

— Ameet Chana (@AmeetChana) May 23, 2012

One Luv to the family & friends of RDB’s Kuly… our thoughts are with you during this time of loss.

— Humble The Poet (@humblethepoet) May 23, 2012

RIP Kuly, life is way too short. Very saddened by the news.

— Bikram Singh (@BikramSingh) May 23, 2012

Kully from @rdbtv passed away! I’m numb & mourning a brother Ive known & interviewd many times over 10 years! Love to his brothers & family

— Bobby Friction (@bobbyfriction) May 23, 2012

sad news 4 da music kuly RDB left us.malak ohnu apne charna wich niwas bakshey. Family nu bhana manan da bal bakshey.R.I.P bro u b missd.

— Jazzy B (@jazzyb) May 23, 2012

Rest in peace Kuly we gonna miss you bro..!!:( our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family..!! (

— Metz N Trix (@metzntrix) May 23, 2012

Kuly came to my house and met my family. A true gentleman, an artist, entrepeneur and a devoted family man. REST IN PEACE KULY RDB

— Nihal A (@TherealNihal) May 23, 2012

Just found out some v sad news that Kuly from @rdb passed away. I did some shows with u boys, I’m so sorry.my love n thoughts go to u n fam.

— Jay Sean (@jaysean) May 23, 2012

Rest in peace kully singh of @rdb

— IMRAN KHAN (@Imrankhanworld) May 23, 2012

Music aside, Kully @RDB was a genuine guy. Always positive & had something interesting to say. Thoughts & Prayers to the family. Waheguru

— Stin (@realdjstin) May 23, 2012

RIP Kuly @rdb nice guy, wicked sense of humour always humble and genuine when we would meet. Rest in peace bro. Thoughts with the family

— Tarli Digital (@TarliDigital) May 23, 2012

Sad to hear about a brother Kully (RDB). Great person, amazing at everything he done. Was there from the starting of my career. Rip brother

— DJH Music (@djhmusic) May 23, 2012

Sadden to hear about our brother kully @RDB . He was such a great person having such talent and very humble#RIPkulyRDB

— Sukshinder Shinda(@SukshnderShinda) May 23, 2012

Just read all the posts on FB about Kuly from @RDB passing away! Thoughts and prayers going out to the #RDB family! RIP Kuly

— Kulraj Burmy (@Raj_Tigerstyle) May 23, 2012

Just heard about Kully RDB. Why do the good guys always go too soon. Gonna miss him. One of the nicest guys I’ve met. RIP bro.

— Surrinder Parwana (@ShinDCS) May 23, 2012

Just woke up and heard about Kully RDB passing away. Totally shocked. May waheguru rest your soul brother.

— Aman Hayer (@AmanHayer1) May 23, 2012

Just heard about Kuly from RDB’s sudden demise. Still reeling from the shock of the news. Such a talented guy, was beh… say.ly/yTh3nml

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) May 23, 2012

Jus touched down in London & arrive 2 shocking news off our older bro Kully @RDB leaving us all.. RIP brother … m.tmi.me/qqEXq

— H DHAMI (@HDHAMIMUSIC) May 23, 2012

Who am I going to make Suka Paneer for now? Who am I going to argue and fight with one minute and then be fine… fb.me/236WJMqmG

— Nindy Kaur (@NindyKaur) May 23, 2012

Rest in Peace Kuldeep Ral.

Gone too soon, but you or the music you helped create, will not be forgotten.