User:Shariqafridi/sandbox

Rawblotter
Shariq Ali Khan Afridi (born April 20, 2001) widely known as "Rawblotter," is a Pakistani record producer, songwriter, rapper, and DJ.

Early life and Education
Shariq was born in 2001 and hails from Karachi, the capital city of the Pakistani province of Sindh. He belongs to a Sunni-Muslim family and is the middle child among his two siblings. Both of his parents pursued distinguished careers in the healthcare field. His father holds a PhD in medicine and spent a significant portion of his professional life as an assistant professor at Agha Khan University Hospital. His mother, a well-recognized gynecologist, also worked at Agha Khan University Hospital.

Shariq often describes himself as a 'third culture kid' due to his upbringing, growing up in diverse environments. He developed a passion for music at a young age and made his on-stage debut during his sixth-grade year at the annual tableau performance hosted by Army Public School, where he completed his education. At the event, he showcased his musical talent by performing cover versions of 'Right Now (Na Na Na)' by Akon and 'That's My Name' by Akcent.

Musical career
Shariq's musical journey commenced at the age of 12 when he first explored his uncle's abandoned keyboard, initiating a lifelong passion for music.

At the inception of his musical endeavors in 2014, at the age of 13, he co-founded the band 'Smokin' words,' where his role as a rapper and keyboardist, accompanied by a friend on vocals, marked his initial foray into music production. The duo's debut track release signaled the beginning of Shariq's exploration into hip hop, electronic & rap music.

His interest in sound composition and arrangement flourished after observing a producer friend maneuver a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), spurring his artistic growth. Throughout his teenage years and early twenties, he dedicated time to understand various musical instruments, delving into jam sessions and contributing as a pianist for the band "Mohar." These experiences contributed significantly to his comprehensive musical knowledge.

Transitioning towards music production in his late teens, Shariq embraced Digital Audio Workstations, refining his skills through online tutorials until 2019.

In early 2020, at the age of 18, Shariq adopted the stage name "Rawblotter" to showcase his musical experiments and singles to the world, curating live electronic music sessions and drawing inspiration from prominent artists in the industry.

His inaugural performance at 'Another Dimension' by 'Deep House Pakistan' a Red Bull-sponsored festival held at 'Cedar Wood Resort' in the scenic Shogran, KPK, when he was 19, setting his expectations very high for Pakistan's electronic music scene. Over the subsequent years, Rawblotter's musical prowess gained local and international recognition, solidifying his position as a burgeoning artist in the industry.

Throughout his career, Rawblotter continued to diversify his artistic endeavors, capturing visually immersive video sets, music videos for local record labels and performing across Pakistan, leaving a notable mark on the country's music landscape.

Singles

 * 2020: H2o
 * 2020: Jungle Juice
 * 2021: DRWHO
 * 2021: Dreamdelic
 * 2021: STAYHOMEDOCOKE
 * 2021: Everybody Gets Down
 * 2021: Kùdos
 * 2021: Calm
 * 2022: Lazy Molly
 * 2022: Deewaren feat. Bin Saeed
 * 2022: RODEO feat. Bin Saeed
 * 2022: Openings
 * 2022: Barbaadi feat. Panda J
 * 2023: BOL KAM feat. HMZA
 * 2023: SUN ZYADA feat. HMZA