Rock, devotion and misfits of 2011

Rock:

The most evolving and nascent genre of music in Bollywood. The genre started picking up late in 2009, through 2010. They were mostly misfires and distasteful at times. However, 2011 saw a much mature rock genre, and although it is still far from the 'true' rock (rock what's rock as of 2012), it is coming along well in Bollywood.

Rap:

Ditto for rap. A completely foreign genre for an industry, a culture which prides on melody and graceful, poetic lyrics.

Here are the best from 2011 from rock, rap and alternative music:

** Click here to PLAY **

• Utt Pataang - Utt Pataang
• Bandagi - Hostel
• Thayn Thayn - Dum Maaro Dum
• Karma Is A Bitch - Shor In The City
• Shor - Shor In The City
• Ujale Baaz - Short In The City
• Issi Baat Pe - I Am
• Baadlon Pe Paon - Kuchh Luv Jaisaa
• Ragini - Ragini MMS
• Josh - Shaitan
• Fareeda - Shaitan
• Unleashed (Music) - Shaitan
• Outro (Music) - Shaitan
• Life Sahi Hai - Pyaar Ka Punchnama
• Baanwre - Pyaar Ka Punchnama
• Dilli Ke Deewane - Hair Is Falling
• Dum Hai To Aaja - Force
• Symphony Of The Streets - Soundtrack
• Shera Di Kaum - Speedy Singhs
• Chhoo Le - Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge
• Saadda Haq - Rockstar
• Fatal Attraction - Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl

Khwaja Mere Khwaja:

Another overlooked genre of Bollywood is the devotional music. A. R. Rahman definitely gave it a different meaning over the past couple of years. Hence, I like to call it the Khwaja Mere Khwaja  series. Even though some or more of these devotional songs are brushed off as that, fans of this genre had more to add to their playlists in 2011:

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• Aye Khuda - Murder 2
• Aik Alif - West Is West
• Har Saans Mein - Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge
• Bismillah - Azaan
• Kun Faaya Kun - Rockstar

The year of comebacks - Mohit Chauhan and Sonu Nigam

In this series of best of 2011,  we begin with a pair of singers who mesmerized us before. Then went into a lull and have risen back to claim what's theirs in 2011. Two prolific singers with their distinct voices: Mohit Chauhan and Sonu Nigam.

Mohit Chauhan

Mohit Chauhan began his career in 1998 through the band Silk Route, with his Dooba Dooba becoming a major hit. After that, he tasted little success, until 2007, when his solo Tum Se Hi from Jab We Met catapulted him back into limelight. Ever since, he has had good success with his songs. However, his unique voice restricted to specific tracks. In 2011, he broke all the stereotypes, to become a in-vogue-must-have singer in Bollywood, especially considering his unprecedented one man show in Rockstar. Here are his best in 2011:

*****PLAY Mohit Chauhan 2011*****

• Abhi Kuch Dino Se - Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
• Yun Hi - Tanu Weds Manu
• Te Amo (Reprise) - Dum Maaro Dum
• Naina - Kucch Luv Jaisaa
• Kahin Se Chali Aa - Love U... Mr. Kalakaar
• Chatte Batte - Chillar Party
• Khaabon Ke Parindey - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
• Sadda Haq - Rockstar
• Tum Ho - Rockstar
• Hawaa Hawaa - Rockstar
• Jo Bhi Main - Rockstar
• Kun Faya Kun - Rockstar
• Sheher Mein - Rockstar
• Aur Ho - Rockstar
• Phir Se Ud Chala - Rockstar

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Sonu Nigam

Sonu Nigam had his fair share of struggle in his early days of Bollywood, where he was condemned to sing only the sorrow songs. However, he rose above the genre and wowed the audience with his strong energetic performances in his album Tu, to absolute melodies like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Main Hoon Na. He went into a slump by the end of last decade, and was mistaken for a spent force. 2011 saw him comeback with melodic performances signaling he is back in form:

*****PLAY Sonu Nigam 2011*****

• Yamla Pagla Deewana - Yamla Pagla Deewana
• Tere Bin - Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
• Phir Teri - Angel
• Koi Aa Raha Paas Hai (Revisited) - Pyaar Ka Punchnama
• Rab Rakha - Love Breakups Zindagi
• Allah Maaf Kare - Desi Boyz
• Aap Ki Aahat - Lanka (**Click to Play**)