Biography
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Years Active
1996 – 2005 (9 years)
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Founded In
Reykjavík, Höfuðborgarsvæðið, Iceland
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Members
- Viðar Hákon Gislason
Quarashi is a rap/hip-hop band from Reykjavík, Iceland, active from 1996 through 2005, then they reunited in 2016 to work on a new album. It is comprised of Höskuldur "Hössi" Ólafsson (replaced by Tiny (real name Egill Ólafur Thorarensen) on the final album), who was the lead vocalist and frontman of the group, Omar Swarez (Ómar Örn Hauksson), who served as a rapper and hype man, and Steini a.k.a. Stoney (Steinar Orri Fjeldsted), who also served as a rapper and hype man. The fourth member of the group was Sölvi Blöndal, who played drums and was the main songwriter/producer. For live shows, Quarashi was joined by a guitarist (Smári Tarfur), a bassist (Gaukur Úlfarsson), and a DJ (DJ Magic).
The group has a loyal following, especially in their native Iceland. Each of their records (Switchstance, Quarashi, Xeneizes, Kristnihald undir Jökli, Jinx, Guerilla Disco) have sold well in their homeland. Quarashi was a rap group, but they combined elements of rock, techno, and funk into their songs, lending an air of unpredictability in their music. Comparisons to Rage Against The Machine, Eminem, and The Beastie Boys are often heard when discussing Quarashi, but the group had their own unique style that distinguished them from other famous rap/rock groups. Their influences ranged from Public Enemy (Blöndal says that P.E.'s Fear Of A Black Planet is what inspired him to make music) to Led Zeppelin, and that can be heard in their songs.
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