Watch out for: DJ Asif on the decks
9th February, 2005
by Rita Bhattacherjee
Freelance Writer
Why should we keep an eye on Asif?
DJ Asif, the front man for Fusing Naked Beats, is pushing the boundaries with his culturally mosaic blend of Asian and Arabic beats with Hip Hop and Electronica. His CD, Digital Asia, is scheduled to be released this year. The title track was at the top of Bobby Friction and Nihal's Radio1 show for months on end, and was voted number six on the top ten tracks of 2004.
How did DJ Asif get into the music biz?
Heavily influenced by Asian music, Asif learned how to play the guitar and joined Fun-da-mental, whom he toured Europe and the UK with. He broke away because he wanted to be in charge of his musical destiny. "I had lots of exciting new ideas and creative energy, which did not gel with the band. I wanted to see what I could achieve and how far I could go. I'm glad I took matters in my own hands," he says.
And where did his hands take him?
Asif created his record label, Just Play Records, and formed Fusing Naked Beats, the band. His debut album Stolen Generation was released last year to some recognition within Europe and the States. He says he chose the name because of his fusion of musical styles is "naked, something raw and original". Asif feels Fusing Naked is more then just a band of artists, but a collective. The production team includes himself and MRT, along with Alok Verma (tabla), Miss Kat (R&B vocals) and MC Assassin.
So where can we find Asif?
He spends most of his time outside the recording studio as a resident DJ at various clubs in the UK and Europe. In the UK, he's a DJ at Shaanti in Birmingham, and also at the Medicine Bar. In Amsterdam, he's a resident DJ at Sutra Funk, where there's a large non Asian crowd. Says people in Amsterdam love his fusion of Hip Hop and Desi vibes.
What's he done recently?
In November 2004, Fusing Naked Beats Sound System, performed at the Winterthur International Short Film Festival in Switzerland. It celebrates contemporary British music though short film. Asif contributed through his previous work in film. He lent his vocals to various soundtracks: Bollywood Queen, Another Day, and Alma Mater.
Aside from the film festival, Fusing Naked is featured on various dance compilations: Najma Akhtar's The Music the Message, Club Shaanti's Desi Beats Volume and the The Crunch EP.
What is currently happening with Fusing Naked?
Asif is using more R&B vocals in the upcoming CD and is writing more songs. His title track has even had the attention of Barcardi Breezer, who are considering it for one of their ads apparently.
For more information on Fusing Naked Beats and DJ Asif, check out www.fusingnakedbeats.co.uk.
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Canadian born Rita Bhattacherjee is a freelance journalist who also writes for South Asian magazines Anokhi Vibe, DesiClub.com and Vivaah.
superritab@hotmail.com
Freelance Writer
Why should we keep an eye on Asif?DJ Asif, the front man for Fusing Naked Beats, is pushing the boundaries with his culturally mosaic blend of Asian and Arabic beats with Hip Hop and Electronica. His CD, Digital Asia, is scheduled to be released this year. The title track was at the top of Bobby Friction and Nihal's Radio1 show for months on end, and was voted number six on the top ten tracks of 2004.
How did DJ Asif get into the music biz?
Heavily influenced by Asian music, Asif learned how to play the guitar and joined Fun-da-mental, whom he toured Europe and the UK with. He broke away because he wanted to be in charge of his musical destiny. "I had lots of exciting new ideas and creative energy, which did not gel with the band. I wanted to see what I could achieve and how far I could go. I'm glad I took matters in my own hands," he says.
And where did his hands take him?
Asif created his record label, Just Play Records, and formed Fusing Naked Beats, the band. His debut album Stolen Generation was released last year to some recognition within Europe and the States. He says he chose the name because of his fusion of musical styles is "naked, something raw and original". Asif feels Fusing Naked is more then just a band of artists, but a collective. The production team includes himself and MRT, along with Alok Verma (tabla), Miss Kat (R&B vocals) and MC Assassin.
So where can we find Asif?
He spends most of his time outside the recording studio as a resident DJ at various clubs in the UK and Europe. In the UK, he's a DJ at Shaanti in Birmingham, and also at the Medicine Bar. In Amsterdam, he's a resident DJ at Sutra Funk, where there's a large non Asian crowd. Says people in Amsterdam love his fusion of Hip Hop and Desi vibes.
What's he done recently?
In November 2004, Fusing Naked Beats Sound System, performed at the Winterthur International Short Film Festival in Switzerland. It celebrates contemporary British music though short film. Asif contributed through his previous work in film. He lent his vocals to various soundtracks: Bollywood Queen, Another Day, and Alma Mater.
Aside from the film festival, Fusing Naked is featured on various dance compilations: Najma Akhtar's The Music the Message, Club Shaanti's Desi Beats Volume and the The Crunch EP.
What is currently happening with Fusing Naked?
Asif is using more R&B vocals in the upcoming CD and is writing more songs. His title track has even had the attention of Barcardi Breezer, who are considering it for one of their ads apparently.
For more information on Fusing Naked Beats and DJ Asif, check out www.fusingnakedbeats.co.uk.
-------------------------
Canadian born Rita Bhattacherjee is a freelance journalist who also writes for South Asian magazines Anokhi Vibe, DesiClub.com and Vivaah.
superritab@hotmail.com
