Ali Azmat
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| Ali Azmat | |
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 Ali Azmat
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Ali Azmat |
| Born | 20th April,1970[citation needed] |
| Genre(s) | Rock |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | None |
| Label(s) | Sadaf Stereo - |
| Associated acts | Jupiters Junoon |
| Website | http://www.aliazmat.com/ |
Ali Azmat (Urdu: علی عظمت) born on 20th April,1970[citation needed] in Abbottabad, Pakistan is the former lead vocalist of the band Junoon and an actor. Currently, he's pursuing a solo musical career.
Pakistani rock icon Ali Azmat began his career as lead singer for the iconic Pakistani rock band Junoon (dubbed the U2 of South Asia by the New York Times). A solo artist since 2003, he is now reinventing the South Asian music scene, exhilarating audiences everywhere with his passionate and poetic fusion of east/west musical traditions.
Born in Pakistan, Ali began singing professionally when he was very young. He was only seventeen when, his original song, “Dosti,” propelled him to stardom. Dosti means “friendship,” and in 1999 Junoon was invited to India by the Indian Prime Minister, to sing “Dosti” as a gesture of peace between India and Pakistan. In October 2001, he sang it again, this time on the floor of the United Nations General Assembly with an Indian band. The New York, Times and the Village Voice among others wrote rave reviews of his performance, the only rock concert ever held at the UN.
As lead singer of Junoon, Ali fronted the largest rock band in South Asia. He joined the band at its inception in 1990. The 10 albums they released between 1990 and 2003 sold 20 million albums worldwide. In 1998, Ali and Junoon took Pakistan and India by storm with the hit single "Sayonee" from their tremendously successful fourth album "Azadi" released by EMI. In 1999, Junoon won the "Best International Group" award at the Channel [V] Music Awards in New Delhi. In 2001 Ali appeared in the VH1 News Special Islamabad Rock City, a rockumentary on Junoon hosted by Susan Sarandon. In 2002, Ali was nominated for an Emmy award.
He has toured extensively, doing two North American tours a year since 1992. He has performed in Europe, the Middle East and China and at the renowned European rock festival, Roskilde in June 2000, where Pearl Jam, Iron Maiden and Travis performed, among others. In 2003 he appeared live at the Royal Albert Hall.
In 2007 Ali left Junoon to start his solo career. His first solo album “Social Circus” was released in March 2005. Social Circus has received much critical acclaim, winning 13 awards in Pakistan this year including Best album, Best producer, Best single for “Na re Na,” and best new video.
On the South Asian media Junoon was awarded ‘best band’ by IM (Indus Music) in 2004 and later an award for promoting peace through his music at the ARY Bollywood awards in Dubai last year. In India, Ali was also nominated for Best Sound Track and Best Song for his single ”Garaj Baras” for the Indian hit “Paap” by Pooja Bhatt at the Sahara Awards London. At the first ever music video awards held in Pakistan last year, the IM Music Video Awards, rewarded Ali song ‘Na re na’ won the awards for ‘Best Video’, ‘Best Costume’ and ‘Best Art Direction’ while ‘Deewana’ won the award for ‘Best Animation.’
Ali Azmat hosts a show called "Pappu Yar Tang Na Kar" for Aag television. Azmat also starred in a telefilm, "ChaalBaz" in 2006 which was aired on ARY Digital. Azmat could not complete his degree in Australia. Ali has also worked with local pop musicians such as Omran Shafique from Mauj and Gumby, the former drummer of Noori. Currently Ali Azmat is mastering his new album 'Klashinfolk' which was recorded at Digital Fidelity Studios Lahore and is due to be released in 2008.
During the 1990's with Junnon, Ali was famous for his trademark look, sporting very long, curly hair. However, since 2002, he now sports a bald look, before he left Junoon to pursue a solo career.
[edit] External links
- Ali Azmat's website
- Watch & read an interview with Ali Azmat conducted by Washington Post contributor Amar Bakshi
- Ali Azmat — Pakistani Pop Music pages
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