He changed the face of Bollywood music.
He can be called the ‘daddy of remixes’. He was one of those artists, behind the huge console, mixing tracks and grooving with the crowd back in the time when the Indian music industry didn’t know what a remix was.
If you are still guessing, then we are talking about DJ Aqeel (Aqeel Ali), the Mumbai-based musician who has been in the music industry for close to 15 years now.
He will be performing in the city tonight and is quite excited. “I have been to Hyderabad a number of times in the past and I think the crowd here is highly energetic. I am looking forward to it,” says the artist who will be entertaining Hyderabadis with Bollywood and EDM music. He observes, “I feel there is a shortage of Bollywood music here. They are quite drawn to EDM I think and I want to fill that gap tonight.” At the time this 37-year-old set foot in the industry, he had no competition. With change in times, booming night culture and more music enthusiasts using social media as a platform to showcase their talent, the number of DJs is going up by the day. Aqeel sees this as a positive sign. “It is a full-fledged profession now and I think DJs are in a good place. We need more talent and many more people to take it up,” he says.
True to his opinion, the artist has set up his own DJ school that will kickoff next few months. Called Superstar DJs, the school has its own course, curriculum and learning goals, all designed from Aqeel’s experiences over the past decade. “The course structure has been carefully crafted. Classes are spread across the month, five days a week. Besides the technicalities of making music, we are also going to give them tips on how to market their music, present themselves and most importantly, make their own music,” shares Aqeel. He points to the thousands of artists who are making good music and the need to stand out. “Sticking to your own thing is the formula. Make your own music,” stresses the DJ who is soon going to make his presence felt in mainstream Bollywood.
DJ Aqeel will be performing tonight at Hard Rock Cafe, Banjara Hills.