RA.825 Ahadadream

  • Published
    Mar 27, 2022
  • Filesize
    143 MB
  • Length
    01:02:15
  • Rhythmic bangers to bring you joy and make you move.
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  • The first weekend of February was a big one for Ahad Elley, AKA Ahadadream. On the Friday, he was featured in Vogue India alongside other South Asian artists and crews currently lighting up UK dance music. 24 hours later, he launched a residency at London club Colour Factory, playing to a packed crowd who, during a brief power cut, chanted his name like adoring teenagers. To outsiders, this might feel like a story of overnight success, but Elley has been grafting away for years: DJing, producing, running a label (More Time), throwing parties (No ID) and, perhaps most importantly of all, co-founding the first edition of London festival Dialled In, which launched last September. As well as showcasing a wealth of South Asian talent, the event fostered a new community of ravers who, in Elley's words, "felt seen in a club space for the first time." When he was younger, Elley shied away from centering his Pakistani heritage in his music. Today, it's a huge part of his identity, from the events he runs and the music he makes to the tunes he plays. But, as RA 825 shows, his DJ sets also go way beyond South Asia and London, spanning gqom, Egyptian percussion, Portuguese Afro house and classic Peverelist. This is Elley at peak time, the kind of thing you might hear at his next Colour Factory gig. "The idea was just to include tracks that bring me joy and make me move," he said. "I hope they do the same for you." What are you grateful for these days? I'm grateful we're not in lockdown any more. I really missed the club the last couple of years. How and where was the mix recorded? And can you tell us the idea behind it? Recorded on three CDJs at my nearest Pirate Studios. The idea was just to include tracks that bring me joy and make me move and I hope they do the same for you. I wanted to enjoy the process of making this mix so I tried not to overthink it too much. I sometimes find when making pre-recorded mixes, I don't find myself in the same headspace as I am in the club and don't take many risks, so I tried to channel that energy as much as possible. There's some forthcoming More Time material inside, as well as some of my own unheard productions, some old favourites and some cheeky three-deck blends. What impact has Dialled In, the London festival you helped launch in 2021, had on the South Asian community? What can you tell us about the second edition? Since the first event in September, we've had so many people reach out and tell us how much it meant to them. The day itself was super emotional and resonated with a lot of people who felt seen in a club space for the first time. I also hope it has inspired some budding South Asian artists / DJs / producers / promoters etc. to pursue their creative interests, and that it has helped them find a community. How connected are you to South Asian artists outside London and the UK? Are there similar scenes bubbling elsewhere? I'm making my first trip back to my birthplace of Pakistan in over ten years this May. I honestly can't wait to connect with some of the artists I've been speaking to online and explore music on the ground. There are scenes in South Asia that are incredible and inspiring. They're often overlooked but I hope that through our work with Dialled In and other collectives (e.g. Chalo), we can help shine a brighter light on the abundant creativity in the region. What are you looking forward to in the near future? The next Dialled In. Since our inaugural event last September, we've been so excited to do another one. We have a very special guest lined up for the afterparty, too! Also looking forward to releasing some more new music very soon.
  • Tracklist
      Ahadadream - Unknown Yasar Akpençe - Akpençe Percussion Performance Dismantle - Hammer Time Avernian - Small Arms Sonia Calico - Neo Tokyo Folk (Ahadadream & Sam Interface Remix) KTM - Only One DJ Eastwood - You Ain't Ready (Ama Mix) Kaval - Howling Dame Area - Dicevi A Mi DJ Neeno - King Of GQOM Sylvere - Carnival Ahadadream - Woah Wonder - What [loop] Errorsmith - Superlative Fatigue DJ Blaqstarr - Shake It To The Ground [acapella loop] Peverelist - Roll With The Punches [Loop] Hossam Ramzy - Ya Sha Eyya On Shlaga Drums (Lemo Edit) (V2) Ahadadream - Hydration Champion vs Digga D (Ahadadream Edit) Ahadadream - Unknown Ahadadream - Shakedown Drum Dub Danni Gato - Xaguada 2 Botão Afro Funk 2015 (Remix by Mulatoh Produções) DJ Cleo - Ruthless DJ Gregory & Gregor Salto - Paris Luanda feat. The Serafim Crew (GYGS Beat Tool) Hagop Tchaparian - GL Sam Interface - Flashing Hype Sukhbir - Ishq Tera Tadpawe (Oh Ho Ho Ho)
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