| Adil Omar | |
|---|---|
 Adil Omar, photographed by Sher Ali in Islamabad, 2013. |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Adil Omar |
| Also known as | A.O. Paki Rambo Adilla the Hun Hanzo Hasashi The Reptilian Tongue |
| Born | May 17, 1991 |
| Origin | Islamabad, Pakistan |
| Genres | Hip-Hop, Rock, Hardcore Rap, Rap rock |
| Occupations | Rapper, singer-songwriter, producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, lyrics, rapping |
| Years active | 2004–Present |
| Associated acts | B-Real, Cypress Hill, DJ Solo, Soul Assassins, Everlast |
| Website | Official Website |
Adil Omar (born May 17, 1991) is a rapper and singer-songwriter from Islamabad, Pakistan. Having been active in the Pakistan's underground music scene since 2004, Omar also gained popularity by being one of the very few hip-hop artists in the region and collaborating with mainstream acts such as Cypress Hill, Xzibit, Everlast and Kool G Rap among others. He released his debut album, The Mushroom Cloud Effect on March 22, 2013.
Contents |
Biography and early life [edit]
Omar was born on May 17, 1991 in London, England but spent his entire childhood growing up in Islamabad. His mother is a writer and part-time television host and his father was a businessman. He lost his father at 10 to alcoholism and his mother suffered from amnesia, leaving her with epilepsy the same year.[1] His great grandfather, Zafar Omar is credited to be the first Urdu detective novelist for writing the book "Neeli Chathri" (blue umbrella).[2] He left school at 17 to pursue a career in music.[3][4][5]
Music career [edit]
Career beginnings [edit]
Omar had started writing lyrics at the age of 9 but recorded his first song at 14. Heavily relying on websites such as Soundclick, Myspace, Facebook, YouTube and iLike to promote his music, he eventually found himself gaining a fan-base by releasing songs as free mp3 downloads.
In 2008, Omar was invited by B-Real of Cypress Hill to record a collaboration in Los Angeles. Producer Fredwreck was also present during the recording session but was not a part of the song. Fredwreck has done production work for his debut album.[6]
Collaborations, rise in popularity [edit]
In mid 2009, Omar collaborated with magician, comedian and actor Penn Jillette of the duo Penn & Teller and producer DJ Solo of Soul Assassins on a protest song called "Spookshow". The song was featured on a compilation album by Thick Syrup Records alongside music by Matt Cameron, members of Pearl Jam, Half Japanese, Teenage Fanclub, Mudhoney and Soundgarden.[7][8][9][10]
On August 8, 2010, Omar launched his official website with an online single and music video titled "Incredible". The free single was produced by DJ Solo and sampled Public Enemy's "Bring the Noise" as well as Jesus Christ Superstar's "Heaven on Their Minds", with an interpolation of "The Roof Is on Fire" by Rock Master Scott & the Dynamic Three in the song's outro. The video was shot around Islamabad and Wah Cantonment, including scenes inside a customized Pakistani truck and also featured a cameo appearance by fashion and media icon Tariq Amin.[11]
Debut album, 2011 present [edit]
Omar announced his debut album, The Mushroom Cloud Effect, through his website for a 2012 or 2013 release. Producers include Fredwreck, DJ Lethal, DJ Solo, Apathy, Talal Qureshi and others, with guests including Xzibit, B-Real, Everlast, Kool G Rap, Sick Jacken and Greydon Square. The first single, produced by Fredwreck and featuring Xzibit, is titled "Off The Handle" and was released on May 24, 2011 with a music video by Matt Alonzo.[12][13]
A second single, produced by DJ Solo, titled "Paki Rambo" was released on October 2, 2011 with a video directed by Shahbaz Shigri and Aisha Linnea. "Paki Rambo" is also the original soundtrack for Shigri and Linnea's feature film 'Gol Chakkar'. "Paki Rambo" was inspired by and sampled dialogue from the Chris Morris film Four Lions, and was also promoted by Four Lions actors Riz Ahmed and Kayvan Novak. Though it received positive reviews, it also generated controversy in Pakistan for objectionable content in its lyrics and music video, as well as its use of the word "Paki".[14][15] In 2012 he was nominated in the Lux Style Awards for Best Emerging Talent as a solo artist, as well as Shahbaz Shigri and Aisha Linnea in Best Music Video Director for "Paki Rambo".[16]
The Mushroom Cloud Effect was released on March 22, 2013.
Personal life [edit]
Omar was born with sound-color synesthesia, a neurological condition in which the person afflicted "sees" colors when a tone is sounded. He has also stated that he does not drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes or use drugs.[17][18][19]
Omar also has tattoos by Mister Cartoon, one which was inspired by Nine Inch Nails' "Just Like You Imagined".[20]
Discography [edit]
Solo albums [edit]
Collaboration albums [edit]
- 2013: Untitled EP (with co-VEN)
Filmography [edit]
- 2010: Slackistan, cameo
References [edit]
- ^ http://ph.news.yahoo.com/rapper-breaks-ground-conservative-pakistan-063134022.html
- ^ "Full Text Of "A Cultural History Of India"". Archive.org. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
- ^ http://www.islamabadthecapital.com/blog/exclusive-interviews/adil-omar/
- ^ http://text-teen.com/adil/page8.html
- ^ http://elanthemag.com/rising-hip-hop-star-from-pakistan-adil-omar/
- ^ "B-Real Presents: The Harvest. 20 New MC’s To Check For « The Audio Hustlaz". Theaudiohustlaz.com. 2009-07-25. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
- ^ "Twitter / Penn Jillette: I did a vocal for Pakistan". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
- ^ "Soul Assassins". Soul Assassins. 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
- ^ "Columnists | Pakistani rapper making waves". Dawn.Com. 2009-08-29. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
- ^ http://www.bluecollardistro.com/thicksyruprecords/product_info.php?products_id=5246&cPath=1228_1229&store
- ^ http://www.soulassassins.com/soul-assassins/incredible-adil-omar-pord-by-dj-solo/
- ^ http://www.islamabadthecapital.com/blog/exclusive-interviews/adil-omar/
- ^ http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/may2011-weekly/nos-29-05-2011/instep/article1.htm
- ^ http://tribune.com.pk/story/265984/adil-omar-paki-rambo-uncut/
- ^ http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/8469/in-conversation-with-adil-omar-hip-hop%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98paki-rambo%E2%80%99/
- ^ http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2012\05\12\story_12-5-2012_pg9_8
- ^ http://www.islamabadthecapital.com/blog/exclusive-interviews/adil-omar/
- ^ http://text-teen.com/adil/page6.html
- ^ http://elanthemag.com/rising-hip-hop-star-from-pakistan-adil-omar/
- ^ http://text-teen.com/adil/page7.html
External links [edit]
- Official Website
- Adil Omar at Facebook
- Adil Omar at Twitter
- Adil Omar at YouTube
- Adil Omar at Myspace
- Adil Omar at the Internet Movie Database
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