Hindi film music, also known as Bollywood music, is an integral part of Indian culture and has a rich history dating back to the early 20th Century. The music, which encompasses songs accompanied by choreographed dances, played a pivotal role in the success of Hindi films. Moreover, Bollywood music has long operated in the shadows as a secret weapon in popular Western hip-hop and pop music. This story explores 5 key elements from classic Bollywood music.
1. Eras: 50s & 60s
Vintage Bollywood, also known as the Golden Era of Hindi cinema, refers to the period from the 1950s to the 1980s when Indian cinema saw a significant transformation. The films during this period were characterized by melodious music, elaborate dance sequences, and larger-than-life storytelling. The music was soulful and often featured intricate rhythms on classical Indian instruments like the sitar and tabla. The music also played an integral role in the plot of the film, and many of the songs have become timeless classics. The actors and actresses of this era, such as Raj Kapoor, Nargis, and Dilip Kumar, are still remembered for their timeless performances and have become a part of India's cultural heritage.
When examining Bollywood's influence on Western hip-hop and pop music, one of the first stops you have to make is the 2005 pop chart-topper, "Don't Phunk With My Heart" by the Black Eyed Peas. There are two samples from two different Bollywood films featured in this song. The first comes from the original song, "Yeh Mera Dil Pyar Ka Diwana" inside the 1978 film, Don. The second sample used is from the original song, "Aye Naujawan Hai Sab Kuchh Yahan" in the 1972 film, Apradh. As you can tell, Black Eyed Peas producer Will.i.am is no stranger to calling on samples from Hindi cinema in his production. What's unique in this instance is that the Black Eyed Peas hit features both a direct lift of the first sample right at the top (0:00) and then later features an interpolation of the second sample as the melodic structure for the song's refrain (0:14 and throughout). Also, notice the truculent attitude of the original song — it sounds resentful and even rebellious. Compare that to this songstarter from our Vintage Bollywood (Eras): 50s & 60s collection. This sort of defiant conflict was common in the storylines of these movies and was further reflected in the film's music.
Check out our Vintage Bollywood (Eras): 50s & 60s collection here and start your next track with samples from one of South Asian's most honored musical and cultural eras.
2. Eras: 70s & 80s
The 70s and 80s were a transformative period for Bollywood, as the industry moved away from the romantic melodramas of the past and embraced a new wave of gritty, socially conscious films. This period saw the rise of actors like Amitabh Bachchan, who became a cultural icon for his portrayal of angry young men fighting against corruption and injustice. The films of this era tackled a wide range of social issues, including poverty, unemployment, and political corruption, and were often marked by a darker, more realistic tone. The music of this period also saw a shift, with disco and funk becoming increasingly popular.
For decades, hip-hop and pop producers have called on samples from this Golden Era of classical music and Bollywood has not disappointed. Who can forget the spell-binding sample from Britney Spears's multi-award-winning 2003 hit "Toxic"? These string samples were actually taken from the song "Tere Mere Beech Mein" in the 1981 film Ek Duuje Ke Liye. The original song stars Lata Mangeshkar and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, iconic voices in the history of Hindi cinema. In the song for Spears, producers Bloodshy and Avant actually sampled two different moments (0:06 and 0:26) from the original and pieced them together to make the entrancing string sample that dominates the song.
One of the most enthralling aspects of Bollywood music has always been its ability to convey the emotion of the film. Notice, in the original song sampled by Spears, the sample sounds urgent — like a chase. Well, that's because it was! The film is about a set of vastly different neighboring families that are shocked when two of their children fall in love and strengthen their relationship in the face of opposition. The music in question is the backdrop for a moment in the film when the lovers are escaping on a motorcycle! That in mind, consider this sample from our Vintage Bollywood (Eras): 70s & 80s collection. It resembles the same urgency of pursuit but incorporates the funk/disco elements from the era's evolution.
Despite its evolution in both message and musical style, Bollywood continued to captivate audiences with its unique blend of drama and spectacle and remains an important cultural force in India and beyond. Check out our Vintage Bollywood (Eras): 70s & 80s collection here before starting your next track.
3. Percussion
The percussive elements in Bollywood are lively and upbeat — and they're an essential part of the genre's overall celebratory sound. The primary percussion instruments used in Bollywood music include the tabla, dholak, and dhols, all of which have their roots in traditional Indian classical music.
The tabla is a pair of hand drums that are often used to create complex rhythms and intricate patterns, while the dholak is a double-headed drum that is commonly used in folk music and dance. The dhols are larger, barrel-shaped drums that are often used in celebratory music and dance performances.
When you lift the hood of Travis Scott's "Uptown" (produced by WondaGurl), you'll find the song "Kamar Meri Lattu" from the 1973 film Banarasi Babu. The original song starts with commanding quarter-note hits and then launches into a rhythmic sequence that features a host of percussion instruments. Compare that to this sample from our Vintage Bollywood: Percussion collection and you'll hear just how captivating this ensemble of percussion can truly be as a starting place for modern production.
The percussion in Bollywood music adds depth and excitement to the genre's distinct sound. Check out our Vintage Bollywood: Percussion collection here and start your next track with this diverse collection of unique percussion instruments, native to both the vintage Bollywood sound and the South Asian region.
4. Strings
Another principal element found in the distinct sound of Bollywood music is the use of lush and melodious string arrangements. The use of strings in Bollywood music dates back to what many consider to be the Golden Age of Indian cinema in the 1950s and 60s when composers like Naushad and Shankar Jaikishan used orchestral arrangements to create sweeping, romantic scores that perfectly complemented the films' epic storylines.
Over the years, hip-hop producers have leaned into the emotive nature of these string samples for their own production. You won't find many better examples of this than on the hip-hop classic album, Madvillainy by the super duo of producer Madlib and rapper MF DOOM. In the song, "Do Not Fire!" producer Madlib uses two different Bollywood string samples to cover ground across the intro and main looped sections. The first sample comes from the original song, "Poorab Disa Se Pardesi Aya" in the film, Suraj Aur Chanda (1973). The second sample comes from the original song, "Mithi Mithi Ankhiyon Se Dil Bhar De" from the 1976 film, Maha Chor. Pulling both of these samples together subsquently, while also adding SFX elements (like the Dhalsim attack from Super Street Fighter II), Madlib paints a contentious, violent, chaotic scene from the song's onset that launches into a hard-hitting, focused beat that feels menacing and ominous. Strings are one of music's most powerful tools for conveying emotion. In this sample from our Vintage Bollywood: Strings collection, you can hear much of the same sway of moods and emotions from line to line.
Whether it's in a soaring melody or a haunting violin solo, the strings in Bollywood music continue to be an integral component of the genre's overall sound. Start your next session by exploring our collection of Vintage Bollywood: Strings here.
5. Vocals
Probably the most pronounced element in Bollywood music are the vocals. They're often soulful, expressive and offer a wide-range of sentiments, from heartbreak and longing to joy and celebration. The genre's vocal style draws inspiration from Indian classical music, which emphasizes melody and the use of intricate ornamentation, or "taans." Singers like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and Kishore Kumar are celebrated for their technical virtuosity and ability to output an array of expressions through their singing. In addition to traditional Hindi styles, Bollywood music also incorporates elements of Western pop and rock, resulting in a unique hybrid style that has broad appeal.
There are so many instances to reference when considering the role of Bollywood vocals in hip-hop. Too many to count, honestly. If we're to consider just one, the most notable is probably the 2002 chart-topper, "Addictive" by Truth Hurts (feat. Rakim), produced by Dr. Dre. It's noteworthy for several reasons — not least of which is the $500 million lawsuit that followed the release of the song (but that's a different story for a different day). For our purpose however, it's worth considering because it's widely thought by many to be one of the single best executed Bollywood sample flips in modern music production. It's the rare case where the defining moment of the entire song happens right at the beginning when the sample begins playing, is flipped, and loops for the full intro. We don't hear another voice until approximately 0:25 into the song. It's an incredibly infectious sample and serves as the prototype for the unique, modal and rhythmic charisma found inside Bollywood vocals. It reminds us a lot of this sample from our Vintage Bollywood: Vocals collection. It's unique and offers the perfect counter to hip-hop and pop's understanding of melody and cadence. By the time you reach the end of the sample you've heard at least 3 different ideas.
Whether it's a romantic ballad or an upbeat dance number, the vocals in Bollywood music are a key component of the genre's distinct sound and enduring popularity. Start your next track by browsing our collection Vintage Bollywood: Vocals here.
Highlighting four decades of Hindi Film Music soundtracks, Vintage Bollywood is a carefully curated stockpile of some of the most iconic and beloved sounds from the golden era of Hindi cinema. Click the link below to check out the Vintage Bollywood sample pack and dive into the beautiful, emotional, and rhythmic world of Hindi Film.
