Outlandish
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Founder | Isam Bachiri, Waqas Ali Qadri, Lenny Martinez |
| Headquarters | Denmark |
| Products | Hip-hop music |
Outlandish is a hip-hop music group originating from Denmark. Established in 1997, the ensemble currently includes and .
Career
The group was initially created by Isam Bachiri, Waqas Ali Qadri, and Lenny Martinez, representing a blend of cultural heritages—Isam and Waqas are Muslims with Moroccan and Pakistani origins, while Lenny is Catholic with Cuban and Honduran ancestry.
Their first single, "Pacific to Pacific," was released in support of an Amnesty International charity initiative. The subsequent single, "Saturday Night," appeared on the soundtrack of the Danish movie Pizza King.
"Look Into My Eyes" is inspired by a poem from Palestinian writer Gihad Ali, highlighting the effects of U.S. foreign policy on the Israel-Palestine situation. The accompanying music video uses the story of Little Red Riding Hood as a metaphor for this conflict.
Outlandish's sophomore album, Bread & Barrels of Water, achieved international recognition, particularly through their rendition of Khaled's "Aïcha", which reached number one in Germany and received extensive airplay across Europe and Asia, including South Korea. Their politically themed track "Guantanamo" also found success in European charts.
The song "Kom Igen" was featured on the soundtrack for the widely played EA Sports title FIFA 07, broadening their global visibility.
Released on 11 May 2009, their fifth album, Sound of a Rebel, included the lead single "Rock All Day".
Outlandish disbanded in 2017 as members embarked on individual careers. However, in 2019, Waqas and Lenny reformed the group as a duo while Isam continued his solo path. Since regrouping, they have released two singles along with the album The Cornershop Carnival.
The band officially resumed activities in 2022 and followed up with an EP named Alabas in June 2023.
Appearances and activities
The group supported Sami Yusuf alongside other nasheed performers at the 2007 "Concert for Peace in Darfur" held at Wembley Arena, aimed at raising funds for families affected by genocide.
Since 2006, they have been frequent contributors to the Evening of Inspiration concerts benefiting Islamic Relief, including the 2008 edition featuring acts such as Seven8Six, Raihan, and Kareem Salama.
At the 2006 "Islamophobia" conference in Copenhagen, organized by the Islam Channel with participation from various religious and political figures, Outlandish delivered a live percussion rendition of "Look Into My Eyes."
Isam Bachiri also took part in Native Deen's track "Still Strong" from their album Not Afraid To Stand Alone.
Controversies
In 2004, Outlandish requested that alcohol sales be paused during their concert at Musikhuset Aarhus out of respect for the two Muslim members. Isam Bachiri later clarified that this was only a temporary suspension during their performance rather than a permanent prohibition.
In 2006, Danish tabloid BT reported an incident where the two Muslim members allegedly had Norwegian singer Herborg Kråkevik moved offstage during a television show because she wore a sleeveless top. The group's record label confirmed this action was connected to their religious convictions. The episode sparked criticism from political circles and women's organizations; however, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation denied any edits made to accommodate Outlandish. Kråkevik minimized the controversy, and Outlandish publicly refuted BT's allegations.
In 2007, Isam Bachiri and Waqas Qaadri performed at Canada's annual Muslim gathering Reviving the Islamic Spirit. Danish tabloid BT accused them of appearing before "extreme islamists," citing contentious remarks purportedly made at the event. Outlandish rejected these assertions, describing it as a peaceful forum fostering cooperation between Muslims and non-Muslims across North America. They highlighted that American rabbi Michael Lerner was among the honored attendees. Torben Ruberg Rasmussen from University of Southern Denmark supported Outlandish's stance by dismissing claims of radical affiliations.
Discography
- Outland's Official (2000)
- Bread & Barrels of Water (2002)
- Closer Than Veins (2005)
- Sound of a Rebel (2009)
- Warrior // Worrier (2012)
- The Cornershop Carnival (2023)