Tru Skool
Punjabi folk/hip-hop producer Tru-Skool (birth name Sukhjit Singh Olk) was a prominent figure behind the scenes of U.K. bhangra. Born in Derby, England, Olk was brought up listening to Punjabi folk. He started listening to hip-hop when he started school, which lead to an interest in music production; specifically, the combination of hip-hop-inspired beats alongside the traditional bhangra music he was raised with. In pursuit of his musical interests, Olk was classically trained on a number of traditional Punjabi instruments, including tabla, tumbi, harmonium (vaja), dholki, and naal. Additionally, he also taught himself how to play the electronic keyboard. Eventually, his skill and hard work was noticed by successful crossover act Panjabi MC, who would feature Olk on his 2000 LP Switchin'.
Tru-Skool | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sukhjit Singh OLK |
| Also known as | Tru-Skool |
| Origin | Derby, Midlands, UK |
| Genres | Bhangra, Hip-Hop |
| Occupation(s) | Record producer, musician, music director, singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 2004 – present |
| Labels | VIP Music UK, Check One Recordz, Moviebox Records UK, speed Records |
| Associated acts | Mandeep Marwaha a.k.a The Specialist, Diljit Dosanjh, Jazzy B. Kaka Bhaniawala , Ashok Prince , Gurbhej Brar , JK , Kulwinder Singh Johal, Dippa Dosanjh , and More |
In 2005, Olk released his first major album, Word Is Born, in collaboration with co-producer Mandeep Singh "Specialist" Marwaha. The album was followed by a second release, 2006's Repazent. Gradually, Tru-Skool became the go-to producer in the U.K. bhangra scene, putting his production stamp on a number of Punjabi folk records. As well as working with established artists, Olk began tutoring aspiring bhangra musicians, including Jatinder Kumar "JK" Bhutta, whom he spent eight years teaching. He would go on to produce JK's debut album, Gabru Panjab Dha, in 2011. Olk broke into the U.K. mainstream in 2016 by producing Ashok Prince's One Time 4 Ya Mind, which entered the U.K. charts at number four.
He also worked on the 2012 album "Back To Basics", along with Diljit Dosanjh. He is currently working under his own label, Check One Recordz, where he aims to give more opportunities to aspiring artists, music producers, and writers.
Awards
In 2013, Tru-Skool won a BritAsia Best Music Producer Award [1] for the record-breaking album Back To Basics with Diljit Dosanjh.
Solo Discography
| Release | Album | Artist | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | In Tha House (With Kaos Productions) | Various | Vip Records/Universal Music |
| 2007 | Raw As Folk | Various | Bazaar Records / Speed Records |
| 2006 | Repazent (With The Specialist) | Various | Vip Records/Universal Music |
| 2005 | Word Is Born (With The Specialist) | Various | EasyLife Records/Vip Records/Music Waves |
Religious Discography
| Release | Album | Artist | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Beant Satwant Da Badla | Pavitar singh Pasla | immortal Productions |
| 2009 | Tera Anth (From Album Chaurasi 84) | Pavitar singh Pasla (With The Specialist) | immortal Productions |
Discography As A Producer
| Release | Album | Artist | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | One Time 4 Ya Mind | Ashok Prince | Moviebox UK |
| 2012 | Back To Basics | Diljit Dosanjh | Speed Records/Moviebox UK |
| 2011 | Gabru Panjab Dha | JK | Vip Records UK/Indya Records |
| 2010 | Mundeh Panjabi / The Folk Star Of Punjab | Kulvinder Singh Johal | Vip Records UK/Indya Records |
Film projects
| Release | Film | Starring | Singer | Music |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Track Putt Jattan De In Jatt Boys Putt Jattan De | Sippy Gill, Isha Rikhi, Aman Dhaliwal | SURINDER SHINDA, JK, GURBHEJ BRAR & KULVINDER JOHAL | Tru Skool, Dr Zeus , Laddi Gill |
Single Tracks
| Release | Title | Singer | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Set It Off | Princ3 | Check One Recordz |
| 2019 | Sanu Nasha | Dav Singh | VIP Music |
| 2019 | Bhabieh | JK | VIP Music |
| 2018 | Shindeh Di Tape | JK | VIP Music |
| 2018 | Jatt Da Flag | Jazzy B | T Series |
| 2017 | Pomp Pomp tha Music | JK | VIP Music |
| 2017 | El-Sueño | Diljit Dosanjh | Famous Studios |
| 2016 | Baaghi Tera Yaar | JK | VIP Music |
| 2014 | Pauna Bhangra (With Kaos Productions) | Baljit Malwa | Moviebox UK |
| 2013 | Kharrak | Jaswant Heera | VIP Music |
| 2011 | Chak Dhen Geh | Gurbhej Brar | VIP Music |