Introduction
Adil Omar (born 17 May 1991), is a Pakistani rapper, record producer, songwriter and singer from Islamabad, Pakistan. In addition to being a solo musician, he is one half of the duo SNKM with Talal Qureshi.
Biography and early life
Omar was born on 17 May 1991 in London, England but spent his entire childhood growing up in Islamabad. His great grandfather, Zafar Omar is credited to be the first Urdu crime and detective novelist with his book "Neeli Chathri" (blue umbrella). He dropped out of school at 17 to pursue a career in music.
Music career
Career beginnings
Omar started writing lyrics at the age of 9 and began making music by 13. In 2008, when Omar was 16, he found himself catching the attention of B-Real of Cypress Hill online who then invited him to visit Los Angeles, helping launch his music career.
Between 2010–2012, Omar put together The Mushroom Cloud Effect, a street album consisting of compiled tracks and unheard demos. The most notable song was "Paki Rambo".
2013–2015
In 2013, Omar was commissioned to write and perform Burka Avenger's "Lady In Black" theme song.
In early 2014, Omar and Talal Qureshi joined Pakistani comedian Ali Gul Pir on #KholoBC to get the Pakistani authorities to lift the country's ban on YouTube. Upon its release, #KholoBC went viral in Pakistan and gained international coverage, beginning a government dialogue towards lifting the ban. The ban would later be lifted in 2016.
In March 2015, Omar and Talal Qureshi released an EP titled Saturday Night Killing Machine which came out with Omar's directorial debut for "Nighat & Paras" and followed by the duo's first showcase at SXSW, marking the birth of SNKM.
2016–present
Having formed SNKM (an abbreviation for Sonic Nocturnal Kinetic Movement), Omar and Qureshi collaborated and performed with Diplo and Elliphant for their first ever Pakistan show. This was followed by the duo's second appearance at SXSW and Omar's solo EP Margalla King. In addition to SNKM's production debut, the EP also featured a collaboration with Bun B.
SNKM debuted at Mad Decent Block Party 2016 alongside Diplo, Kesha, Marshmello, Rae Sremmurd and others.
Personal life
Omar was born with sound-color synesthesia, a neurological condition in which the person afflicted sees colors when tones are sounded.
Discography
Solo
- 2013: The Mushroom Cloud Effect
- 2015: Saturday Night Killing Machine (as Adil Omar and Talal Qureshi)
- 2016: Margalla King
With SNKM
- 2017: Sonic Nocturnal Kinetic Movement