Popular British Asian band, Panjabi Hit Squad have been signed up by the popular Def Jam record label, which is a subsidary of Universal records. The move comes after speculation following Panjabi Hit Squad's recent high-profile mixes for Mariah Carey, Ashanti, Keith Murray and forthcoming single for Def Soul signing Terri Walker.

Formed in 2001 as a collaboration between Asian DJ Culture (ADC) and Marky Mark, the crew have released two successful albums. In 2002 the Hit Squad were signed up by BBC 1Xtra radio station to present a weekly show.

Since PMC's ascent to number 5 in the British charts, it was only going to be a matter of time before a successful Bhangra band would be signed up by a major record label.

In fact some in the industry have questioned why its taken so long for the mainstream music industry to wake up to the commercial potential of the genre.

Marky Mark, from the group said "It's a hot move for Panjabi Hit Squad and for British Asian music. We had a lot of interest from other labels but Def Jam was the obvious choice. Since day one our main influences have been Hip-Hop and Bhangra, and to take our sound forward both here and in America in this way is taking Desi Beats to another level".

Semtex, representative of Def Jam UK who signed the group said "Constantly DJ'ing in the clubs, on the radio, working in the studio and keeping close contact with their fanbase Panjabi Hit Squad are ahead of the game.... Panjabi Hit Squad represent the future sound of the UK Urban scene and are on course to be one of the UK's hottest production teams."

The first Panjabi Hit Squad album on Def Jam is set for release in September 2003, and the crew are already producing tracks with several US - based R'n'B and Hip-Hop artists.