Aadhunik: An insight into DJ Rekha

British-born Brooklyn-based DJ Rekha was born in London in 1971 to Indian parents, and spent several years in India as young child before her family moved to New York City. While studying at Queens College she started promoting parties and spinning records, and in 1997 she started DJing at her monthly music night Basement Bhangra.

Rekha’s mixed heritage translates directly into her music, an eclectic fusion of traditional Bhangra folk music mixed with US hip-hop and electronic music to create a thumping party atmosphere. Her regular Basement Bhangra party nights pack joyous rhythmic music with dance lessons and art visualisations.

After almost two decades since its founding, Basement Bhangra in NYC still going strong and has become an international phenomenon. Heralded by the The New York Times as the ‘Ambassador of Bhangra’ and by Newsweek as one of the most influential South Asians in the US, Rekha is more than just a DJ. She has curated shows in New York for Central Park Summerstage and Celebrate Brooklyn, lectured at New York University, and arranged music for an award-winning Broadway show. Despite her success, she tries to keep her music nights as accessible as possible by keeping her entry prices low and offering discounts to early birds.

If you want to liven up your weekend and be a part of this unique experience, there two chances to catch Rekha in the UK this December, in Bristol and London. She’ll be accompanied by The Dhol Foundation (famous in the UK – and Hollywood – for their cacophonies of sound) and BBC Radio’s DJ Bobby Friction!

Friday 11th December – Trinity Centre, Bristol
Saturday 12th December – Rich Mix, London

For further info and tickets available HERE

Share this page
Latest events
Soumik Datta

The master of the sarod launches his new album 'Melodies in Slow Motion'

Read more
Roopa Panesar & Gurdain Rayatt with Giuliano Modarelli

Featuring newly-commissioned work for the International Guitar Foundation.

Read more
Warsi Brothers – Qawwali evening

Experience one of the world’s rarest living musical traditions, Warsi Brothers – leading exponents of qawwali

Read more
News
Spotify
Shradhanjali: a newly-commissioned work

In early 2026, Asian Arts Agency proudly commissioned Shradhanjali, a one-of-a-kind musical tribute celebrating the…

July 28, 2026 10:43 am

Read more >
Our programming in South Asian Sounds

We are working with Southbank Centre for the third consecutive year on the acclaimed 'South…

June 9, 2026 1:56 pm

Read more >
Soumik Datta Arts partnership

We are pleased to announce a new partnership with Soumik Datta Arts for the upcoming…

March 2, 2026 12:38 pm

Read more >