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Pakistani hip hop is performed in English and Pakistani languages which includes Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Seraiki and Balochi. Although Hip Hop has not taken root in Pakistan, many musicians of Pakistani origin are entering the hip hop industry abroad. The current hip hop scene in Pakistan is still struggling to identify itself and has not established a unique identity. In recent years, local Pakistani hip hop artists have begun to emerge, however the genre is still in the early stages of forming an active underground scene. The lyrical expression of cultural identity and addressing Pakistan's problems is key in making hip hop successful throughout the country.The first website created for local rap artists from Pakistan is www.pakhiphop.com. It is dedicated to help Pakistan hip hop gain mainstream attention in the music industry
[edit] Growing Hip Hop Culture
Pakistani hip hop can be defined as a blend of traditional Pakistani musical elements with modern hip hop music and is achieved by using various Pakistani languages as well as incorporating traditional percussion (see tabla and dhol) and other instrumentation (like the sitar). Mainstream hip hop talents including Dr. Dre, Rakim, Fergie, Kelly Rowland, Nelly Furtado, and Timbaland have incorporated elements from Pakistani Hip Hop. A global phenomenon, Pakistani hip hop is perceived differently by the major branches of the Pakistani diaspora. Pakistani Americans often adopt hip hop at an early age and make it an important aspect of their "American identity". Conversely, Pakistani Britons were first exposed to hip hop as an American export. Overseas Pakistanis have helped increase the popularity of hip hop in Pakistan. Famous entertainers include Bohemia, Usmaan, Outlandish, Ataf Khawaja, Mc Lazarus and others.
[edit] Artists
- Bohemia the Punjabi rapper is a Pakistani American Punjabi rapper and music producer who writes, plays and performs his music in Punjabi. he is recognized world-wide as the pioneer of Desi Hip-Hop and "The King of Punjabi Rap". When Bohemia was about 14 years old, he moved to California, United States along with his family as a young teen and started learning how to play harmonium at a very young age from his father. Raja used rapping as an outlet to escape from his thug life style. Through his experiences, come raw raps depicting not just California street life, but a life many South Asians lead in America. His lyrics are in Punjabi, while many of the hooks are in English. Raja looks up to artists such as Jagjit Singh and the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Bohemia's first album, Vich Pardesan De (In The Foreign Lands), was released independently in 2002 and was soon among the top ten most requested songs on BBC radio 1 in the UK. His next album, Pesa Nasha Pyar (Money Addiction Love), was released in 2006 under Universal Music Group Pvt. Ltd. India and Ishq Records, UK making it the first ever full-length Desi-Rap album to be released by a major label. Hailing from California USA, Bohemia unloads automatic rounds of street-savvy Punjabi raps interlaced with pounding kicks, chunky bass lines and contagious melodies. He released his new album in April 2009 Da Rap Star Bohemia - The Punjabi Invasion 2009 Universal Music Group Pvt. Ltd. India.
- Usmaan - Usmaan (also known as Ozzy Black and Saleem Dion) is a British Pakistani hip hop artist who hails from the North-West of London, England. His lyrics tended to focus on issues which "Desi" youth face, with a particular focus on the UK. He is best known for his association with the UK Asian group Sona Family. After retiring from the Music scene in 2004 for religious reasons he returned in 2007 with Islamic themed songs.
- Ataf Khawaja - a popular Danish hip hop artist, of Pakistani origin and who has had recent fame with the song "Det Er For Sent Nu"
- Freestylers Co - Rap group from Lahore created by Hashim Bukhari (Cross B),Mubashir Naeem Butt (Rapp.o.lutionary) and Humza Asad (D.O.C). They won 2nd place in the Lums Olympiad music contest.
- Hamza Javeed - an Islamabad-based rapper who's powerful voice, aggressive bars, and uncompromising attitude set him aside from the rest.
- Adil Omar - an Islamabad-based rapper
- Hijack Hood - a Balochi rappers Members: Sameer Gabol,Amaan Ali,Ehti based in London and Lyari, Karachi
- MC Omar - Omar Khan is a British born MC and producer, who formed a peace group called World Riderz.
- MC Lazarus - an English rapper, based in Detroit
- D-Naar - a Punjabi Rapper, based in Saudi Arabia
- PakMan- a Punjabi and Urdu rapper, based in Los Angeles[1]
- Desi Ji - a Germany based Punjabi rapper.
- Rap Engineers - an Islamabad based hip hop band, performing in Punjabi & English.
- Janbaaz - a Urdu rapper, based in Germany.
- Rapsteradox (rapper) - Urdu, Punjabi & English hip hop band, based in Islamabad.
- YaBoyFaze- Pakistani/American rapper.
- Jihad/Nasir Akmal- Pakistani American rapper from Cerritos, CA
[edit] Producers
David Cash - A Pakistani rapper who raps in italian and urdu, based in Italy.
- Asad Kamal - an established hip hop & R&B producer from Studio 051, Islamabad [2]
- Mustafa - an upcoming producer from Los Angeles. Owner of www.pakhiphop.com
- S.T.T. - a well known producer from Lahore/Toronto[1]
- JO-G - Music producer from Karachi who writes, plays and performs his music in English/Urdu/Punjabi,Studied Music Production and Audio Engineering from Recording Arts Canada
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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