Outlandish

Danish hip-hop group with multicultural influences

Danish Hip-hop trio, established 1997. The three members come from various ethnic backgrounds, each bringing elements of his musical culture to the music to the trio, Isam Bachiri from Morocco, Lenny Martinez from Honduras and Cuba, and Waqas Qadri from Pakistan. The three teamed up as teenagers sharing an early interest in break-dance and rap, forming the trio YGB’s (Young Gifted and Brown) in High School. In 1997 they changed their name to Outlandish and signed with BMG. While studying Bachiri went to Kuwait, and Qadri to Pakistan, both bringing back musical inspiration for the debut album “Outland's Official” released in 2000, including hit singles “Walou” and “Wherever”. The second album, ”Bread & Barrels of Water” from 2003, included an even bigger hit, ”Guantanamo”. Over the years Outlandish has been struggling touring fatigue and loss of collaboration leading to solo projects. But in 2009 Outlandish released its fourth album, “Sound of a Rebel”, announcing that the mutual inspiration was back. Throughout the decades Outlandish has been very popular in Denmark, seen as a role model in multicultural synergy. The music is poetic and tuneful, not unlike Fugees, leading to success outside the Hip-Hop audience.