Azme Alishan brings Pakistani punk, rock and hip-hop music to London!

Azme Alishan is Pakistan’s newest and fastest-growing social movement: a platform for change, and a rallying point for patriotic Pakistanis everywhere who want to shape a better future for the nation.

Azme Alishan is committed to changing perceptions within Pakistan, but also in the world about Pakistan – it’s for this reason that the campaign has gone to communities of Pakistani heritage around the world to draw on their talent and support to build a better Pakistan and a better world. The campaign acts as a meeting place for positive Pakistani voices that believe in and represent the true spirit of the nation, a country of diversity, creativity, tolerance, opportunity and potential. Our aim is to bring these voices together to celebrate all that’s best about Pakistan and to find solutions and tackle some of the shared challenges and concerns. In short, we are for unity, optimism and positive change.

Pakistani and British Pakistani artists will join together in London on March 1 for ‘Pakistan: Ready to Rise,’ at the Rhythm Factory at Whitechapel. The gig is a cross-cultural event showcasing the edgy, angry, yet hopeful voice of the youth through punk, rock and hip hop.

The event, organized by Azme Alishan, involves Pakistani rapper Adil Omar and punk-rock band Bumbu Sauce with British Pakistani urban acts Pure Music Generals and Shizzio. We will also have on the night a special live performance by international sell out artist Aziz Ibrahim. The evening will be an opportunity to hear the voices of tomorrow.

PERFORMERS

Bumbu Sauce – (Punk Rock)

Bumbu Sauce is a four piece self-proclaimed PunkJabi (Punjabi – Punk) rock band based in Islamabad. Known for their humorous signature word play and tracks such as ‘Jiggernaut’ (The Taliban Song) and Bunnayn(za) the band have already been picked up by The New York Times and The Guardian. This show is their first UK live performance.

AZIZ – www.aziz.co.uk (Asian Blues)

Singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer Aziz has collaborated with The Stone Roses’ Ian Brown on 2 top twenty singles and 4 gold selling albums. He writes with Paul Weller, has performed to sell out crowds around the world and even for the queen. Expect a show of the Asian Blues – “psychedelic guitar/tabla fest”.

Adil Omar – www.adilomar.com (Hip Hop)

Four years ago 20-year-old Adil Omar was invited out to LA to record with Cypress Hill after a member discovered him rapping on a youtube video. Omar has recorded with Everlast [House of Pain], Xzibit and Limp Bizkit. He has established himself as Pakistan’s biggest and perhaps only rap star.

Talal – www.soundcloud.com/talalqureshi (Electro Dubstep)

The 23-year-old Talal is an Electronic/Dubstep Producer currently working on his debut EP ‘Equator’. He has already made a name for himself on the underground scene in Karachi and Islamabad. His recent track is “Guetta Kaun” (Who’s Guetta).

Shizzio – www.youtube.com/user/Shizzio (Grime / Burban)

Play listed in over 150 countries world wide, he has had a Number One record in Venezuela as well as a most requested song in Miami. He has collaborated with The Game, Lil Kim, Noreaga, Rah Digga, TQ, Ghetts, and Devlin. Last year Shizzio became the first south Asian rapper to ever give a TED TALK at Oxford University and was the only speaker to receive a standing ovation on the day.

Pure Music Generals – www.youtube.com/user/puremusicgenerals (Grime)

Pure Music Generals is a collective of eight East London based (Leyton, Leytonstone and Ilford) MC’s, Singers, DJ’s and Producers best known for street anthem ‘Gym Anthem’ and ‘Bollywood Skank’. Their sound is a mix of grime beats with a comical bent.