Do you think artists need to change the style of their videos or what you or your family see in these videos does not have any effect on you? Share your thoughts ...

In the recent few years Bhangra music has become a visual phenomenon. There is a growing trend to produce a video for almost every song released instantly after the song is available to download. These videos will either show half undressed models, people drinking alcohol in a bar or expensive cars.

These artists are trying to act cool and copy the mainstream singers but the truth is they hardly make a few grand from a single which is just enough to pay their bills. The cars you see are mostly not even hired to keep production costs down, rather borrowed from someone they know. The luxury houses you see are never owned by these artists because they simply don’t make enough money. Above all, this “bling” culture does not simply fit in with desi music. It can be frustrating when the lyrics are completely different to what the music video is portraying which can sometimes spoil the whole song.

The question here is does anyone actually think what effect these music videos have on the society?

Let me draw attention to alcohol. Its common knowledge that an excessive amount of alcohol consumed is not good for health and most religions and our Asian culture are not in favour of it. Sadly, a large number of Bhangra music videos tend to have at least one scene showing it. Does being exposed to music videos that show alcohol being consumed make people want to drink?

Young people are more likely to be influenced because they simply have not had enough life experience to distinguish between what is reality and what is fantasy. Are artists indirectly encouraging young people to adopt this “drink and party” lifestyle? What artists or music video directors shouldn’t forget is what you produce gets aired on TV and kids as young as two year old end up watching it in their lounge! Furthermore, artists tend to become role models for their fans and people tend to emulate their screen character whether it is a good one or a bad one.

It surely can’t be argued that if all Bhangra music videos went “alcohol free” it would make people drinking less or not drinking at all because let’s not forget that there are mainstream music videos in addition to films and TV shows that even go as far as showing nudity. However, just because these things are more readily acceptable in western culture does not mean we should turn a blind eye to them and accept too. We should not be forgetting our traditional values and roots.

The other question that rises is what the future holds?

Are Asian artists likely to go as far as showing nude women on their videos like the mainstream artists?

Do you think artists need to change the style of their videos or what you or your family see in these videos does not have any effect on you?

Do leave your comments, videos that you feel meet these issues.

Article written by Junaid @junaidjdee - keen interest in Asian music and ultimately wants to become a radio presenter."