LONDON: Pakistani freestyle rapper Ghani Tiger is making his presence felt in London as he continues to connect with his fans through his energetic Punjabi and Urdu rap songs and poetry.
After moving to London from Pakistan about a year ago, Tiger rose to fame through his freestyle rapping, often focusing on relevant social and political issues.
In recent months, his rap tribute to the Pakistani armed forces has gone viral on social media due to its catchy lyrics and patriotic theme.
Tiger, real name Hamza Ghani, opened concerts for rap star Bohemia, Abrar-ul-Haq and Bilal Saeed at venues across London, drawing loud applause from fans.
He has also performed at private events, on street corners and at several iconic London venues including Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus.
Tiger is considered a talented talent by many in the industry.
He can create and perform a new rap song in seconds, developing the lyrics, rhythm and delivery almost instantly. Bohemia, Abrar-ul-Haq and Zeeshan Rokhri have described him as a genius for his ability to create instant rap poetry.
In 2020, his father was killed and his brother shot dead in Pasrur, Punjab. Tiger released an emotional video demanding justice, and the case attracted widespread attention online.
According to Tiger, some of those involved in his father’s murder are still at large. He later transformed his personal tragedy into moving songs of loss, hope and survival.
In an interview, he said, “My father’s murder was the darkest phase of my life. I was young when he was killed. I created hope from despair and decided to live in positivity and hope. I worked hard to take care of my family and made sure to give education to the needy around me.”
He made a name for himself through Pakistan’s underground rap circuit, live events and online streaming platforms.
He is now known for his precise delivery, street-inspired lyrics and strong social media following, establishing himself as one of the rising voices of freestyle rap in Pakistan.
He said: “I learned through my real-life story how to transform everyday emotions, struggles and ambitions into impactful rap performances. I’ve reached a wider Anglo-Asian audience since moving to London. There is a growing influence of South Asian rap in the UK, where artists blend Punjabi, Urdu and English sounds to create music that speaks directly to diaspora communities.
Tiger said artists in the freestyle rap genre appeal to audiences with their raw, unfiltered style.
He said: “Rap artists are generally not polished products of the industry. Instead, their music conveys the feeling of real-life experience, online hustle and popular popularity. It is very different from traditional music, soft and poetic. It’s a different experience. A large part of the new generation identifies with this style of music.
Tiger said it was not easy to gain recognition through freestyle rap.
He said: “Personally, I haven’t sought the traditional routes to fame. I believe in building my own scene, finding my own audience and taking my sound directly to people. Social media has been a big help.”
For Tiger, London became a new platform to showcase his freestyle talent, reach a wider audience and strengthen his connections with fans in the British-Pakistani community.
