I’ve never been a fan of rap music and I was skeptical about a Pakistani rapper. Always having considered pretty Asian boys crooning English music as asinine entertainment for example, I didn’t know what to expect from Adil Omar. I wasn’t even sure what I would ask him, but when he forwarded his ‘myspace’ profile I couldn’t help but prowl through it with curiosity.

Avoiding listening to his songs at first, I started reading the comments on his walls that had messages such as ‘new song is dope’ riddled by rap fans. It was amusing to see rap artists and those who appreciate it in a world of their own lexicon. While listening to some of his uploaded songs I think I began expecting some local nuances, but there were none. Even as a non rap loving individual, and the gratis profanity that is accompanied with this genre, I couldn’t help but bob my head to his song ‘Islamabad’.

‘That’s not one of my favourites,’ says Adil laughing. Responding with excited appreciation, he is humbly surprised and thanks me. He also has his very own little hall of fame on his profile page that has pictures of him with Charlie Watts. ‘That really happened by chance. My aunt was helping them organise an event and so I got to meet him,’ admits a soft spoken and unpretentious Adil. He sits on the sofa in front of me and holds on to the pillow on his lap – It was surprising to see a young and kind face after hearing his strong and assertive voice in his songs.

Adil is in his element, like speaking a first language when he raps a few lines for me. He seems like a self-sufficient powerhouse of talent.

‘I began writing when I was nine years old, but I recorded my first song when I was 14 and I can say I became decent at it by 15,’ says Adil who recorded his songs in his room with a web camera mic and drew inspiration from Dr Dre, Johnny Cash and Wu -Tang Clan.

Adil divides his music into three sections when it comes to concept: his personal life, how he views the world and pure entertainment. He mentions that the songs which revolve around drugs, sex and violence are for entertainment purposes and have nothing to do with his own lifestyle but adds quickly ‘I’m not the Bradey Bunch either.’

Now Adil at the age of 18 has more professional equipment, and is making waves in the music industry where he has recorded songs with the legendary lead singer of Cypress Hill, B-Real, who has worked with Eminem, Snoop Dogg and Pearl Jam.

There are pictures and videos of Grammy nominee rap artist B-Real in the process of recording the song with Adil. A tattooed B-Real looks into the camera and gives the introduction to his project whilst explaining Adil’s role in the song. An inviolate, thinner and less mean looking Adil stands a little self consciously next to him, and adds a few words of his own.

Adil has single-handedly reached the brink of stardom and never compromises on his work – no one has ever edited his lyrics to date. And through his talent, Adil has made full use of the digital age. ‘Why limit yourself to one country when you can reach out to the world through the internet.’ Not only has the internet been his medium of promotion but also his gateway to bigger names. He began chatting to B-Real and became friendly. He as a matter of fact states that although they were friendly there were many times when he would ignore him so Adil sent him his ‘myspace’ profile and within a couple of days he was told about an opening on a collaborated project B-Real was working on. He was given a date and told to be there if he wanted to be part of it. Adil took the chance and flew to LA where he sung the song ‘take over’ with B-Real.

Asking him if B-Real’s eyebrows were raised when he heard he was Pakistani to which Adil responds, ‘he was a little interested I guess, but he is cool and open minded.’

In Pakistan Adil doesn’t face a complete vacuum among rap artists, but feels he has an edge because of his content.

‘Most of the guys who are rapping, mix it with bhangra…you know that kinda stuff…I like to think I’m more concept driven,’ he said.

A genius in the making he draws inspiration from within and is taking the next big step in his career in music. He plans to make songs with guest appearance of comedian/magician Pen Jilette. It’s possible that the album will be a limited edition of a compilation of various artists with big names such as Pearl Jam and Teenage Fan Club, he tells me with a tinge of suppressed excitement.

Even though Adil comes from a family of writers, he says his family was always supportive but never took his passion seriously until he did a recording with B-Real. Now he says they have accepted the fact that he will probably become a professional rapper.

Back in Islamabad Adil is in his A2 and sheepishly admits to being less solid in his academics. He does however have plans of applying to a college for a music programme that requires a strong portfolio, which Adil feels confident about…and why shouldn’t he.

- Article By Nosheen Abbas

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Source: DAWN.COM | Pakistani Rapper Making Waves

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