The name Negash Ali seriously came to the attention of Danish hiphop lovers in 2008. As the 17 year old rapper and the youngest member of successful group Majors, he was over the course of that year cast into the spotlight with an album release and Danish tour, as well as high profile performances at Roskilde Festival and Europe’s two biggest hiphop festivals: Splash and Hip Hop Kemp, amongst others. A lot to chew over for a young artist, unless you’re equipped with a wholly special talent as in Negash Ali’s case.

As the son of an immigrant from Eritrea he was raised in a Danish asylum centre and in multicultural environment. Instead of getting involved in minor criminality as did many of his contemporaries, Negash Ali threw himself into his passion for books and music. With his good stories and unique voice it didn’t take him long to achieve a name in hiphop circles. The album Asmarino is produced by Static, Pitchshifters, Providers, Noize, Madness4Real and Louis Winding amongst others, and the atmospheric soundscape takes its cue from Ali’s love of soul music.

Links

• Myspace