Imagine yourself standing at a packed music festival, surrounded by flashing lights and pulsating energy. The air is electric, and the crowd is buzzing with anticipation. Suddenly, the lights dim, and a figure emerges from the shadows. It's the DJ, poised behind a sleek console, ready to take control of the night.
As the DJ's fingers dance across the decks, the room erupts into a frenzy of sound and color. The beat drops, and the crowd surges forward, lost in the rhythm. You feel the bass thumping through your chest, the melody soaring above the chaos. It's an exhilarating sensation, like being swept up in a tidal wave of music.
But what sets a live DJ performance apart from a concert or a recording? It's the unique alchemy that occurs when a skilled DJ weaves together disparate tracks, beats, and melodies into a seamless narrative. It's an art form that's both spontaneous and calculated, requiring a deep understanding of the crowd's mood and the music's emotional resonance.
Unlike a singer, who interprets a fixed set of lyrics and melodies, a DJ is a master improviser, reading the room's energy and responding with a carefully curated selection of tracks. It's a high-wire act that demands precision, creativity, and a deep connection with the audience.
In Pakistan, the DJ scene has exploded in recent years, with a new generation of talented DJs emerging to take the stage. From weddings to corporate events, music festivals to college fairs, the country's events are pulsating with the rhythms of electronic dance music (EDM), hip-hop, and fusion beats. And at the heart of this movement are the DJs themselves – charismatic performers who are redefining the boundaries of music and entertainment in Pakistan.
Behind the beats
In the swirling lights and pulsating rhythms of Pakistan's DJ scene, five talented individuals are spinning their own unique tales of music, passion, and creativity. From the underground rock scene to the electrifying world of electronic dance music, each of these DJs has a story to tell.
Zeeshan Athar Butt, aka DJ ZEEZU, his journey into DJing began eight years ago, in 2016. But his love affair with music started much earlier, in 2008, when he was part of the Karachi underground rock scene. "I got into playing electronic music around 8 years ago and before that, I have been in the Karachi underground rock scene since 2008," he recalls. "It's been a long ride, and was pretty casual to start, as I was just DJing for my friends."
Over time, DJ ZEEZU who inspiration comes from The Chemical Brothers, Faithless and Eric Prydz, his passion for DJing only grew stronger. He started curating his own monthly club night, A.C.E, which has gained a consistent following. "It's great to see the love and response, however super tough considering the domestic drawbacks we face, but here we are. Upwards and onwards!" he exclaims.
For Uzair Bhatti, aka DJ Uzair, music was always a source of comfort and escape. As a teenager, he found solace in late-night music sessions, which eventually inspired him to become a DJ. "Music has always been my escape When I started saving up and playing around with used controllers and experimenting with tracks, I realized I could take that feeling and give it to other people."
DJ Uzair's journey wasn't without its challenges. He faced a steep learning curve, watching and learning from other DJs, and experimenting with different tracks. But the moment he saw a crowd come alive to his music, he knew he had found his calling. "DJing isn't just about the music; it's about creating energy, and movement, rooting you in the here and now."
Saqlain, aka DJ SQLN, discovered his passion for DJing 12 years ago, inspired by the likes of David Guetta, Martin Garrix, and Hardwell. "Their electrifying music made me fall into an even deeper love relationship with the DJ scene," he recalls. However, it wasn't until late 2020 that he decided to turn his passion into reality, getting into mixing and mastering.
Saqlain, who takes inspiration from Anyma, John Summit, Fisher and Hugel, added that his unique blend of genres, ability to read the crowd, and passion for creating unforgettable experiences, is his uniqueness that make him stand out.
Hamza Haris, aka DJ Shotbox, and DJ Mahmood are two more talented individuals who are spinning their own unique beats. With their passion for music, creativity, and energy, they're helping to drive the Pakistani DJ scene forward.
Talking about the uniqueness that sets DJ Shotbox apart from the other DJs, the Daft Punk’s follower, said, “My larger-than-life performances set me apart. I'm a DJ who focuses on performing for the crowd. My job is to connect with the audience and ensure they have a great time. That's my top priority.”
On the other hand, DJ Mahmood who takes inspiration from Martin Garrix who has a successful album animal at the age of 17, believes that his ability to read the room and adapt his sets in real time is what sets him apart. “I believe in the power of connection, and I pride myself on keeping an open format. Rather than sticking to one genre or style, I allow myself to flow with the crowd's energy, responding to what they need in the moment. This flexibility lets me seamlessly blend tracks across genres, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. For me, it’s not just about playing music—it’s about creating a vibe where every person in the room feels included and part of the journey,” he added.
Together, these five DJs are redefining the boundaries of music and entertainment in Pakistan. With their unique styles, passion for music, and dedication to their craft, they're creating a new wave of excitement and energy that's sweeping the nation.
Challenges and triumphs
DJing in Pakistan is a unique experience, marked by both excitement and challenge. For DJs like Hamza Haris, aka DJ Shotbox, the journey has been "fun, but we're kind of building this entire experience from scratch." As a pioneer in the industry, DJ Shotbox has played a key role in formalizing the DJing scene in Pakistan. "I literally formalized this industry through one of my brands," he says. "So, it's a new thing, and we're not really sure how it will evolve in the future."
However, the journey is not without its challenges. DJ Mehmood describes the experience as "incredibly challenging yet rewarding." One of the main hurdles is the lack of understanding and appreciation for electronic music in Pakistan. "The electronic music scene here is still in its infancy, and it’s often viewed as taboo," DJ Mehmood explains. "Breaking through those perceptions and helping people see electronic music as a valid and expressive art form has been a big part of my mission."
Another challenge is navigating the complex and often exclusive world of gigging in Pakistan. "Unlike more established music industries, the ladder here isn’t straightforward," DJ Mehmood notes. "It often involves building relationships with organizers, proving your value at smaller private events, and gradually earning trust in a tight-knit, sometimes exclusive, community."
Despite these obstacles, there are signs of progress. Saqlain, aka DJ SQLN, describes his experience as "incredible," with a growing appreciation for electronic music and a rapidly expanding scene. "The scene is growing rapidly, and there's a growing appreciation for electronic music," he says. DJ Mehmood agrees, pointing to the growth of the underground scene and the increasing legitimacy of electronic music in the arts community.
However, the lack of dedicated venues for electronic music remains a major challenge. "Limited opportunities and lack of proper venues" are major hurdles, according to DJ SQLN. DJ Shotbox adds that the Pakistani music scene has been "pushed in certain directions through external factors," rather than evolving organically. "To be honest, I don't think the Pakistani music scene has really evolved on its own," he says. "Instead, it's been pushed in certain directions through external factors. You could say that catalysts have been added to help it grow."
Despite these challenges, the Pakistani music scene is evolving, with electronic music gaining increasing recognition and legitimacy. As DJ Mehmood notes, "The Pakistani electronic music scene has evolved dramatically over the last five years. Once a taboo and confined to underground spaces, it has gained significant traction, thanks to the relentless efforts of local organizers who’ve created platforms and hosted events to showcase the genre." DJ SQLN agrees, pointing to the growing recognition of electronic music and local talent. "The Pakistani music scene has evolved significantly over the years, with more recognition for electronic music and local talent," he says.
With talented DJs like DJ Shotbox, DJ Mehmood, and DJ SQLN leading the charge, the future of DJing in Pakistan looks bright. Despite the challenges, they remain optimistic and committed to their craft. As DJ Mehmood notes, "Despite challenges like political instability and a lack of dedicated venues, electronic music now enjoys a growing fanbase and increasing legitimacy in the arts community. This progress highlights the resilience and creativity of Pakistan’s music pioneers."
The rise of DJ competitions
In recent years, Pakistan's DJ scene has witnessed a significant surge in popularity, with various events and competitions emerging to showcase the country's talented DJs. Zeeshan Athar Butt, aka DJ ZEEZU, sees such competitions as an opportunity to challenge himself and push the boundaries of DJing in Pakistan. "We lack such events in our country, it's something new and exciting and a healthy competition which will bring the best out of every one of the DJs participating," he says. "And I love challenging myself."
For DJ Shotbox, it's not about personal gain, but about promoting DJing as an art form in Pakistan. "I don't really expect to gain anything personally from this event," he says. "I just hope that my participation, performance, and the content that comes out of it will help bring more attention to DJing as an art form in Pakistan."
DJ Uzair, on the other hand, hopes to create a memorable experience for the audience. "We hope to create a moment—a groove that leaves people talking, dancing, and remembering how powerful music can be," he says.
For DJ Mehmood, the goal is to push his creative limits, refine his skills, and connect with other talented DJs. "From events like Red Bull Turn It Up, I hope to push my creative limits, refine my skills under pressure, and connect with other talented DJs," he explains.
DJ SQLN hopes to gain recognition, make new connections, and find inspiration to further enhance his craft. "From this event, I hope to gain recognition, new connections, and inspiration to further enhance my craft," he says.
The format of one such event, Red Bull Turn It Up, is designed to challenge DJs to think creatively and adapt to different themes and genres. So, how do these DJs think the format will impact their performance? DJ Shotbox is unsure, but is confident in his ability to mix and perform. "Honestly, I'm not really sure," he says. "I've never done anything like this before, so I'm not sure what to expect. I'll just do what I do best – mix and perform."
DJ Uzair, on the other hand, sees the format as an opportunity to showcase his skills and adaptability. "The event’s format challenges DJs to think fast, adapt, and deliver a set that resonates," he explains. "Our years of collecting music from a wide range of genres and cultures give us a distinct edge—we’ve built a library that allows us to pivot and connect with any crowd, no matter their vibe."
DJ Mehmood is prepared for the challenge, relying on his ability to read the room and adapt to different themes. "The format will certainly have an impact on my performance, as it’s completely new and different from anything I’ve experienced before," he says. "The fast-paced, unpredictable nature of the competition—where the crowd plays a role in judging and random themes are selected—forces you to think on your feet and be adaptable."
DJ SQLN is excited to take on the challenge, seeing it as an opportunity to think quickly and showcase his creativity. "The event format will challenge me to think quickly, adapt to different styles, and be creative," he says. "I'm excited to embrace this challenge."
DJ ZEEZU also sees the format as a challenge, but one that will push him to be his best. "Definitely, we have always been used to playing our own sets, and this is something where decision-making, mixing skills, and crowd control will be key," he explains.
The future of DJing in Pakistan
As the Pakistani DJ scene continues to evolve and grow, the future looks bright for these talented artists. So, what's next for these DJs?
For Uzair Bhatti, aka DJ Uzair, the focus is on growing the industry itself. "Just growing the industry itself. That's my main focus – to help build and support the DJing scene in Pakistan," he explains. By supporting and nurturing the local DJ scene, DJ Uzair hopes to create a thriving community of talented DJs who can take the Pakistani music scene to new heights.
DJ Mehmood has a lot to look forward to, with a new track release on the horizon and several exciting gigs lined up. "After Red Bull Turn It Up, I have a lot to look forward to. I’m releasing a new track soon, which reflects my growth and passion for electronic music," he says. But his ambitions don't stop there. DJ Mehmood is setting his sights on competing nationally and internationally, taking his unique sound to bigger stages and connecting with global audiences.
Saqlain, aka DJ SQLN, is also looking to the future, with plans to continue honing his craft, releasing new music, and expanding his reach internationally. "After Red Bull Turn It Up, I plan to continue honing my craft, releasing new music, and I’m looking to expand my reach internationally," he says. DJ SQLN is also excited about the future of electronic music in Pakistan, seeing a bright future for the genre.
As these DJs continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in Pakistani music, they're inspiring a new generation of DJs and music enthusiasts. With their passion, creativity, and dedication, they're helping to create a thriving music scene that's uniquely Pakistani.
In conclusion, the future of DJing in Pakistan is bright, with talented DJs like DJ Uzair, DJ Mehmood, and DJ SQLN leading the charge. As they continue to innovate, experiment, and push the boundaries of what's possible, they're inspiring a new generation of music enthusiasts and helping to create a thriving music scene that's uniquely Pakistani. With their passion, creativity, and dedication, the possibilities are endless.