Neil Kulkarni: A Tribute to the Brilliant Music Journalist and Musician Who Died at 51
Neil Kulkarni, one of the most influential and respected music journalists of his generation, died suddenly on Monday, January 22, 2024, in Coventry, UK. He was 51 years old. The cause of his death has not been revealed yet, but his bandmates from Moonbears confirmed the news on social media, expressing their shock and devastation.
Kulkarni was a prolific writer, a talented musician, and a passionate educator. He wrote for various publications, including Melody Maker, Vox, Kerrang!, The Source, DJ, The Quietus, and more. He was also the course leader of music journalism at the BIMM Music Institute in Birmingham, and a lecturer in Coventry, his home city. He was the author of two books: The World’s End: The Final Verdict on Pop Culture and Eastern Spring: The Music That Made Modern India. He was also a member of the indie rock band Moonbears, who released their debut album, The Bag, in 2023.
Kulkarni was known for his fearless and insightful criticism, his eclectic and diverse taste, and his witty and humorous style. He was not afraid to challenge the status quo, to champion the underdogs, and to speak his mind. He had a profound knowledge of music history and culture, and a keen ear for new sounds and trends. He was a master of words, who could captivate and entertain his readers with his sharp and original analysis. He was a true lover of music, who dedicated his life to sharing his passion and expertise with others.
A Trailblazing Career in Music Journalism
Neil Kulkarni’s career in music journalism began in 1993, when he wrote a letter to Melody Maker, a British music magazine, complaining about its lack of coverage of black artists. He accused the magazine of being complicit in the racism entrenched in “white music criticism”. He wrote: “As a black reader, it’s starting to annoy me.”
The letter caught the attention of the editors, who invited him to join the staff as a writer. He accepted the offer, and soon became one of the most prominent and popular voices in the magazine. He wrote about a wide range of genres, from hip hop, R&B, and soul, to rock, metal, and indie, to dance, electronic, and world music. He was not bound by any labels or categories, but rather by his curiosity and appreciation for music in all its forms.
He was also one of the first critics to recognize and celebrate the rise of Asian music in Britain, especially the bhangra and Asian underground scenes. He coined the term “desi beats” to describe the fusion of traditional and modern sounds from the Indian subcontinent. He was an avid supporter and promoter of Asian artists, such as Apache Indian, Cornershop, Asian Dub Foundation, Nitin Sawhney, Talvin Singh, and more. He also wrote extensively about the music and culture of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, exploring their history, politics, and identity.
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Neil Kulkarni left Melody Maker in 2000, after the magazine folded, but he continued to write for various other outlets, both online and offline. He was a regular contributor to The Quietus, an online music and culture magazine, where he wrote reviews, features, interviews, and columns. He also wrote for Chart Music, a podcast and newsletter dedicated to pop music, where he revisited and discussed old episodes of Top of the Pops, a British music chart show. He also wrote for Wire, NME, The Guardian, The Independent, and more.
He was also an author of two books, both published in 2021. The first one, The World’s End: The Final Verdict on Pop Culture, was a collection of his essays and articles, covering topics such as music, film, TV, comics, and more. The second one, Eastern Spring: The Music That Made Modern India, was a comprehensive and detailed account of the history and evolution of Indian music, from the pre-independence era to the present day.
A Passionate Musician and Educator
Kulkarni was not only a music critic, but also a music maker. Neil Kulkarni was a guitarist and vocalist for Moonbears, an indie rock band from Coventry, UK. The band was formed in 2017, and consisted of Kulkarni, Andy Smith, Matt Cattell, and Dave Owen. They described their music as “a mix of noise, melody, and emotion”. They released their debut album, The Bag, in 2023, which received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. The album featured songs such as “Bovril”, “Crisp Connoisseur”, “Shouter of the Chords”, and “Bag Adjacent”.
Kulkarni was also a music educator, who taught and mentored aspiring music journalists and musicians. He was the course leader of music journalism at the BIMM Music Institute in Birmingham, where he taught students the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the music industry. He was also a lecturer in Coventry, where he taught courses on music, media, and culture. He was a respected and beloved teacher, who inspired and encouraged his students with his enthusiasm and wisdom.
A Legacy That Lives On
Kulkarni’s death has left a huge void in the music world, and a deep sorrow in the hearts of his family, friends, colleagues, and fans. He is survived by his partner Lenie, his sister Meera, and his daughters Georgia and Sofia, whom he adored. He is also remembered by his bandmates, his students, his fellow writers, and his countless readers. He is mourned by the music community, both in Britain and abroad, who admired and appreciated his work and his personality.
Kulkarni’s legacy as a music journalist and musician will live on through his writings, his recordings, and his teachings. He will be remembered as a genius, a trailblazer, and a legend. He will be remembered as a lover of music, a maker of music, and a teacher of music. He will be remembered as Neil Kulkarni, a one of a kind.
