Ataf Khawaja

Ataf Khawaja is a popular Danish rap artist, of Pakistani origin.He has had recent success in Denmark with the song "Det er For Sent Nu"

Biography

Ataf Khawaja was a member of the early 90s rap group Kidnap, along with Ali Kazim. Ataf went by the name Sorte Slyngel (Black Crook). Since then, Ataf has come into the world of conscious hip hop, writing songs that represent his Pakistani heritage and the immigrants in Denmark. Ataf is involved in a youth hip-hop program in Tingbjerg, Denmark, which encourages immigrant teenagers in express themselves through music. Once a month, Ataf goes to read the students' lyrics and offer his opinion. The few ground rules for the kids to follow when writing their rhymes illustrate his current outlook: no "gangster" lyrics, and lyrics should be written in Danish. When asked about his involvement in the program, Ataf said, "I want to show immigrant kids I'm evidence that you can make it happen. You don't have to be a cab driver...(or) a pizza delivery boy." His music has common themes about making the world a better, more accepting place. Asanovski and Spellman 2006

ee also

* Danish hip hop
* Pakistani Danish

External links

* [http://www.atafkhawaja.dk/ Official website]

*Asanovski, D. and Spellman, M. (2006). "Danish Hip Hop and its Effect on Minority Youth in Denmark" http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:Li8wq_56DSMJ:www.humanityinaction.org/dos/ Asanovski__Spellman,_2006.doc+danish+hip+hop+and+its+effect+on+minority+youth&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us