“Why did I pick rap — such an unusual musical choice for Afghanistan? I was convinced that rap is something new, especially in my country. Each of my songs is imbued with love. Love for relatives, for my country, Afghanistan, and for compatriots, who quite often experience pain,” Afghan rapper Ali ATH said in an interview with Sputnik.
Ali is a typical Afghan rapper. He not only composes music and writes rhymes, but also lives his rap in real life.
“I never forget about children and women, probably in most cases, they are the main characters in my compositions. And of course, not a single creation can be built without some kind of life experience. All my feelings, love and sadness, are reflected in my verse,” Ali tells Sputnik.
“In fact, we began our ‘mission’ from the ground up. We had just one computer. That’s all! I was one on one with my talent, which required implementation," Ali said in an interview with Sputnik.
"Soon enough, we started contacting with other Afghan mini-studios, in which we were offered [opportunities] to create joint work. I think the secret of our success is that at every phase, we try to use the maximum of the minimum abilities that we have,” continues the Afghan rapper.
“My first track was called ‘Let us, compatriots!’ and was dedicated to my dear Afghanistan. The song was full of love for my country, the pain of relocation from one [place] to another and beyond,” says Ali.
In Afghanistan you will not find many pop or rap artists who touch the significant issues of our time. Today, the number of Afghan artists amounts to less than 100. They are willing to cooperate with one another as the country hasn't established laws regulating the entertainment industry.
“Once, when my album ‘As easy as pie’ was published with a circulation of 100,000 copies and was sold with great success, I thought about going beyond the boundaries of Afghanistan. I happened to come across Glenn Reynolds (Grey), a popular American rapper. After a successful first song recorded together, we plan to release a joint album,” Ali tells Sputnik.
“All the proceeds from the album's realization will go to charity. It is a great honor for us!” Ali explains.
Amid national success, the two rappers have taken time to provide financial assistance to various charities supporting people in need and victims of terrorist attacks in Afghanistan.
