“This is our second visit to India. We performed in Mumbai in 2004,” says Waqas Ali Qadri, the rapper of the band. “India is a special place to come back to since its vibe and culture have been part of our growing-up years.” After belting out their first gig in Mumbai on Wednesday night, they are ready to roll out some hip-hop from their latest album at Delhi’s Hard Rock Café tonight.

“We’ve been called a political band and a Muslim band and even termed extremists and Islamic fundamentalists. We want to put the record straight with this album and say that our music is only about emotions and nothing else,” says Qadri, who is of Pakistani origin. He and his band members Isam Bachiri and Lenny Martinez have grown up together in the same Copenhagen neighbourhood, playing football, climbing trees and going to a video store downtown “where we picked up the VHS of all the Hindi movies since Pakistani movies weren’t good”. “We have Indian film music in our blood,” adds Qadri. “And AR Rahman has been the biggest influence.”

Sound of a Rebel has 12 tracks, all joyous and up tempo, and their hip-hop continues to blend in south Indian sounds and the dhol, apart from elements of Coldplay-like rock, some electronica and the Latin flute. The band, which was founded in 1997, used to layer religious views over hip-hop beats, alongside Punjabi, Spanish and Latin music styles. You could even find traces of Sholay, Satte pe Satta and Dharamveer.

Now even though each of them continues to carve their individual journey, with Qadri looking at releasing a solo album of Hindi/ Urdu rap, they are tight as a band.

Passes for Rs 1,500 available at Hard Rock Cafe. Contact 47158888