Ali Azmat

Name : Ali Azmat
Instruments : Vocals, guitar
Occupation(s) : Singer
Website : http://www.aliazmat.com/

Profile

Ali Azmat is a Pakistani singer-song writer, musician and actor. He is best known as the lead singer for the influential Sufi rock band Junoon and for his subsequent solo career. In 2001, he become the first musician ever to perform at the United Nations General Assembly along with an Indian band choosing to sing his song "Dosti" an aptly chosen title to promote the UN's mission in bringing peace to the world.

Career

Azmat was born in Abbottabad and grew up in Garhi Shahu, Lahore. He is of Kashmiri Bhat/Butt descent.He went to Sydney, Australia, for his higher studies, but soon returned to Pakistan before completing university. His first band ‘Jupiters’ was known for performing covers at small gigs in Lahore. While with them, Azmat wrote his legendary hit song Dosti. He later sang and recorded Dosti with Junoon, after which the song gained national fame.

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 2003 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 scene Ali’s new group 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.’

His second album Klashinfolk hit the markets on August 15th, 2008 with "Gallan" being the first video to come out of the album followed by "Tanha Hai Kyun" and "Tera Mera Milan".