AHADADREAM

A persistent rhythm underpins Ahadadream’s movements. With unflagging energy and passion, the London-based artist manages various facets of his creative self, predominately as a DJ and producer, but also A&R, label-head, event director, and now as one of the leading tastemakers in the UK club scene.

Ahadadream’s music is pure percussive energy; club belters full of skittish drum rolls that have become set staples for all your favourite DJs. With menacing, coiled energy waiting to be unfurled, his unique, drum-focused production draws influence from sounds across the UK, his homeland of Pakistan, the African Diaspora and beyond.

Most recently, his collaboration with Skrillex and Priya Ragu, TAKA, is laced with South Asian influence, as
Ahadadream’s high-energy percussion balances Priya Ragu's R&B vocals. TAKA first went viral on Ahadadream’s debut Boiler Room, when Skrillex appeared on screen for the debut spin of their new track. Support from Peggy Gou, Fred Again, Four Tet, Dixon and Chris Lake followed, and on release day, BBC Radio 1 crowned TAKA their Hottest Record, Essential New Tune and Track ID; for the first time since Calvin Harris’ How Deep Is Your Love, in 2015. Indeed, BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong also chose Ahadadream as his Future Star for 2024, declaring him “a rhythm king and percussion specialist…currently a bit of a trade secret, talking about him is like talking about Bicep a few years ago. He’s about to blow this year.” While the Guardian declared Ahadadream one “One To Watch”, Beatport also tipped him for 2024, marking him as one of their NEXT Artists, and DJ Mag nominated him for their lauded Best DJ award.

Ahadadream’s distinction as a DJ and producer comes from the inability to categorise his sound, as he seamlessly takes listeners on a journey across multiple genres and junctures. “I think the challenge has always been to describe my music succinctly,” Elley explains. “I borrow elements of sounds from across the globe. I want to create music that can’t be contained inside a box. Although I try to include my Pakistani heritage where possible, it’s never about pigeonholing myself in that.”

Ahadadream’s Boiler Room acts as the perfect introduction to his diverse, but distinctly unified sound, with the platform declaring it “one of the rowdiest of the year”. Those looking for more of his mixes, can check out his BBC Radio 1 Essential mix, Radio 1 Residency, RA Podcast and his NTS residency.

Performing at the world’s best festivals and clubs - Glastonbury, Sonar, Printworks, Circoloco at DC10, Fabric,
Panorama Bar, Notting Hill Carnival, CTM, DGTL and more - in October, he sold out a hometown show at London’s Village Underground. 2024 sees him break into new spaces, in April, he made his Coachella debut, on the infamous Do Lab stage, launching his debut, thirteen-date, North America tour, before a packed festival season sees him play Lollapalooza, Melt, HARD Summer, Junction 2, Hideout, FVDED, Pukkelpop and Portola for the first time.

Born in Pakistan, Ahad Elley moved to the UK at the age of twelve. After school, he studied Chemistry during the day, whilst DJing and throwing parties at night, before he went on to programme some of Boiler Room’s landmark broadcasts, platforming iconic artists early on in their careers, such as Sherelle and Jyoty.
In 2017, he launched More Time Records with Sam Interface. The label has released artists from Ghana, Trinidad, South Africa, Taiwan, UAE and more, their music complemented by a distinctive, rugged UK edge, to create a sound wholly unique to More Time. Soundtracking campaigns for Stella McCartney and Apple, More Time has been described by DJ Mag as “the foremost champions for UK club music” and was nominated for their Best Breakthrough Label award.

Throughout his life and career, Ahad has been driven to provide representation for other South Asian creatives and artists, something he never saw growing up. In early 2021, this led to the birth of Dialled In, a South Asian creative movement. Showcasing a wealth of talent, Dialled In has, perhaps more importantly, fostered a new community. A resounding success since its inception, Dialled In has hosted festivals, classical concerts, a V&A late, the inaugural Boiler Room Pakistan, and an artist residency in Nepal. “I owe it all to artists such as Ahadadream who have put me forward for so many slots and opportunities”, Surusinghe explained to the Guardian from the Dialled In stage at Glastonbury.

Ahadadream has been at the coalface of the UK club scene for several years now; championing new artists,
platforming new sounds and quietly, but confidently, supporting everyone else from behind the scenes. In 2024, we now get to witness all the hard work and previously disparate threads from his career converging to introduce the unique energy and sound of Ahadadream to the rest of the world. As RA said in their recent review, “it’s safe to say (Ahadadream’s) work is starting to receive the recognition it deserves.”