Jawani Nights: The Explosive Rise With DJ Aza

While drum & bass, jungle, UK garage, and dubstep were experiencing their own explosive trajectory in the late 1990s and early 2000s, there was another vibrant subculture taking inspiration from these genres that was brewing in parallel. 

Drawing inspiration from the sounds and rhythms of their heritage and traditional South Asian elements- such as classical ragas, tabla beats, and Bhangra rhythms- with contemporary genres like drum & bass, garage, dubstep, and hip-hop, the Asian Underground movement stood as a corresponding revolution, deeply intertwined with the evolution of bass-heavy genres of the time. 

Led by influential figures such as Talvin Singh, Nitin Sawhney, Asian Dub Foundation, State of Bengal, Panjabi MC, and Apache Indian, this vibrant scene introduced a rich tapestry of South Asian styles to the mainstream. Each artist added their distinct flavour to this sonic revolution, paving the way for renowned acts like Björk and The Banshees to weave South Asian instrumentation into their music, highlighting the profound impact of this cultural movement. 

The Asian Underground didn’t consistently dominate mainstream charts, but it did influence some global music trends with tracks like Panjabi MC’s ‘Mundian To Bach Ke’, Apache Indian’s ‘Boom Shack-A-Lak’, Cornershop’s ‘Brimful of Asha’ taking the UK Music charts by storm. The scene then entered a prolonged period of obscurity, operating quietly in the shadows for over a decade before staging a triumphant resurgence in 2021. 

The comeback has been so immense that it has transcended its UK origins, evolving into a truly global phenomenon. The movement has found a dedicated fanbase, with packed venues celebrating the fusion of South Asian and electronic sounds across India, USA, Australia and South Africa as well; and this is precisely the wave that caught Birmingham-based DJ Aza off guard—though in the best possible way.

“It was when Boiler Room hosted a Punjabi edition in Southall. I think it was last year or the year before, and it sold out in just five minutes—it was insane. They had artists like Raf Sapera, Punjabi Hit Squad, and a lineup of other DJs performing. At first, I thought, “What is this? There’s no way this is going to work.” But then, when the tickets sold out so quickly, I started thinking, “Maybe they’re onto something.”

I didn’t attend the event, but I watched all the DJ sets on YouTube, and it completely blew me away. I realized the potential of bass music with Punjabi elements, “This is it—this is the direction I want to head into.”

Creating something similar had always been on DJ Aza’s mind, but it came with reasonable doubts about whether a fusion like this would resonate with audiences in the UK. Would the energy of Punjabi rhythms align seamlessly with the fast-paced beats of drum and bass? Would UK audiences, known for their discerning tastes, embrace this cultural hybrid? But that little YouTube binge changed it all. 

“Before this, I had been asking friends for advice because some of my nights weren’t working. I needed a fresh concept. Almost everyone told me, “Do an Asian or Punjabi drum and bass night.” I just couldn’t see it working—I mean, who listens to Punjabi drum and bass? It didn’t feel like a thing.

But after seeing how successful that Boiler Room night was, I had to change my perspective. It became clear that there’s a real market for this, so I knew we had to take the plunge and make it happen.”

This led to the birth of Jawani Nights, a full-throttle underground experience with a Punjabi twist which has now become a staple of Birmingham’s clubbing culture. Launched in March ‘24 by DJ Aza, Jawani Nights has already become one of the most talked about events in Panjabi youth culture. That first night was a turning point, showing Aza that Jawani Nights was more than just a concept; it was the beginning of something far bigger than he had ever anticipated.

“It was around this time last year, after Halloween had passed, that I started to feel like I had hit a wall. I had worked with all the artists I could think of, and I didn’t want to keep repeating the same concepts. I found myself asking, “What’s next? What do we do now?” So, I decided to test the waters, put out some feelers on Instagram, and ask people how they’d feel about a new vibe. We launched a presale, and the response was insane—tickets sold out fast.

For the first event, I didn’t even announce the venue right away because I wasn’t sure how big it would get. I thought, “If we only get 100 people, we’ll just find a small venue.” But the tickets flew off the shelf, and the reaction was wild. From that point, we just ran with it.

One thing I really wanted was to create an environment where people could genuinely enjoy the music. I didn’t want anyone to feel like they had to dress up in fancy clothes or wear high heels. I wanted the vibe to be authentic, so the dress code became simple: come to rave. Wear your trainers, throw on whatever feels comfortable, but leave the heels at home. You can’t dance in heels, and you certainly can’t rave in them.”

More than anything, DJ Aza wants Jawani Nights to be a space where people can truly escape the stresses of daily life and find a sense of solace. He envisions Jawani Nights as a sanctuary, a place where the dance floor becomes a release, where people can let go of their troubles and simply enjoy the pure joy of being in the present.

“We want to create a space where people can truly let loose, have fun, and forget about everything for a few hours. Whether it’s for three or four hours, we just want them to enjoy the music, unwind, and lose themselves in the moment. From traditional Punjabi beats to bass-driven tracks, with some hip-hop legends and bootleg remixes thrown in, we aim to offer a variety of sounds that everyone can vibe to. At the core of it all, it’s about providing a space where people can just relax.

Sometimes, all we need are those few hours to just chill, to take a break from the grind and recharge. That’s exactly what we want Jawani Nights to offer—a chance to step away from the pressures of everyday life and simply enjoy the music and the company of like-minded people.”

All of these epic nights are happening at XOYO Birmingham, a venue that has become the pulse of Jawani Nights. Thanks to the incredible support from the venue, Jawani Nights have achieved the incredible feat of selling over 1000 tickets per event, a testament to the immense demand and success of the concept. 

Credits: Monica Martin

DJ Aza has found the backing from XOYO to be incredibly significant. This partnership has played a pivotal role in establishing Jawani Nights as one of Birmingham’s most talked-about and eagerly awaited events, and Aza is thankful for the opportunity.

“I can’t speak highly enough about them—they’ve been one of the key reasons Jawani Nights has reached the level it’s at today. I’ve been working with XOYO for years now, running numerous events there. The main manager, Curtis, and I go way back. We’ve been friends long before he joined XOYO, and when I found out he was moving there, we immediately started talking about collaborating. That’s when I began running a few nights at the venue.

I’ve hosted underground events with a variety of artists at XOYO, and when I saw the layout of the room, I immediately knew it was the perfect space for Jawani Nights. It had that dark, underground vibe—an empty shell where you could really make it your own. I spoke to Curtis and shared my vision for the night. I said, “This is the idea I have—what can we do with it? I’ll follow your lead.

They’ve done an amazing job, from deciding where to place the DJ booth to creating spaces for people to dance behind the scenes. They’ve made sure the venue is safe and enjoyable for everyone. We’ve got a balcony area, an outdoor space, and even a big screen. The support they’ve given has been crucial in helping us expand and elevate the entire experience.”

When DJ Aza first launched Jawani Nights at XOYO Birmingham, he approached the events with a healthy dose of caution, unsure of how the audience would react to the daring blend of Punjabi elements and bass music. To his surprise, the initial reactions to the first few events were remarkably favourable. The audience engaged with the music in ways Aza had not anticipated. What began as a tentative trial quickly evolved into an essential gathering, with the demand skyrocketing after each show.

“So, consistently, we’ve been selling over a thousand tickets for every event, to the point where we’ve had to open up a second room to meet the demand. When we first launched, we started with 800 tickets, and while we could’ve sold more, I didn’t take the risk because I wasn’t sure how it would all work. It was a new experience for me, especially with a DJ booth placed in the middle of the dance floor—I wasn’t sure how much space we would actually need. I preferred to start small and build from there, so we stuck to 800 tickets. In the end, we probably had around 750 people.

From there, we really got a sense of how things logistically worked. It was a learning experience in every way. What kind of music should we play? At what point do we need to mix it up with a different DJ to keep the energy flowing? All these questions came up as we went along. The first event was good, but it wasn’t perfect. However, we learned a lot from the mistakes we made, and that’s what helped us refine the experience and make each event better than the last.”

Exploring various styles of bass music is one aspect, yet incorporating Punjabi elements seamlessly while preserving the overall flow and energy of the set presents a unique challenge. It’s a nuanced endeavour that demands distinctive expertise—one that merges a profound comprehension of both genres with the capability to intertwine them effortlessly, all while preserving the core of each.

Credits: Monica Martini

What makes DJ Aza so effective in this role is his exceptional ability to scout and select artists who not only fit the Jawani Nights ethos but also bring their own unique flair to the event. He has an instinct for picking up-and-coming talent who understands the cultural nuances of Punjabi music and can mix it effortlessly with modern bass sounds.

“I have a friend named Ajay, who’s a super talented DJ. He’s part of another DJ collective, and they recently did a private party where he posted a video of a live mix. He played Chase &  Status’ ‘Badadan’ and mixed it with a track by Deep Manuk called ‘GT Road’- and that 30-second clip went viral. People were using the sound everywhere, and it quickly gained traction.

At the time, I was struggling to figure out who to book for an upcoming event, and when I saw that video, I knew right away that AJay had to be on the lineup. I thought, if he can create that kind of vibe in just 30 seconds, he can easily kill it with an hour-long set. He absolutely had the energy and style I wanted to bring to Jawani Nights.

Alongside AJay, I had a couple of other DJs in mind. Mixing – a DJ who posts his music on SoundCloud—was another one I’d been following. And then there’s Kizzy, who works for the BBC Asia Network and travels the world curating Boiler Room-style events. She’s got an incredible ear for the kind of vibe we were going for.

Luckily, I’m good friends with all three of them, so I decided to bring them together for the first show. I didn’t even put myself on the lineup initially—I just played a couple of songs, but I took a step back and let them do their thing. I realized that this wasn’t the kind of music I usually play, so I let the specialists handle it. I’m more about R&B and hip hop, but they were the experts in this genre, and it felt right to let them shine.

For the next event though, I’ve put myself back on the lineup. I’ve been working on a few different remixes, bootlegs, and bass mixes—taking a lot of inspiration from a lot of DJs in India who are blending music in unique ways. When it comes to R&B and hip hop, the vibe is completely different from the kind of energy we’re bringing with Jawani Nights, so I’ve been learning how to fuse these influences and put my own spin on it. I’m excited to be back on the lineup and to bring something new to the table for the crowd.”

Speaking with DJ Aza provided a deeper insight into the fascinating journey he’s had leading up to Jawani Nights. The journey from a mere concept to the establishment of a distinctive realm where Punjabi sounds intertwine with bass music has been remarkably unconventional. As our conversation came to an end, we found ourselves intrigued by the evolution of his journey throughout the years. 

We were keen to dive deeper into the experiences, challenges, and milestones that have influenced DJ Aza’s development as a DJ and event curator. What strategies did he employ to manoeuvre through the industry, and how has it felt for him to witness Jawani Nights evolve from a mere concept into one of the most discussed events in the scene?

It’s definitely been a rollercoaster ride. We’ve had our highs and lows, and there have been stressful moments along the way. One instance that stands out was when we had to pull a night last minute due to unforeseen licensing issues. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, just one of those things that happens, and it’s part of the journey. But despite the setbacks, the positives have far outweighed the challenges.

“Looking back, I can confidently say that right now, Jawani Nights is probably the biggest Punjabi night in the UK. It’s grown beyond what I could’ve imagined, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built. The success we’ve had is a direct result of the foundation I laid with my previous events, the relationships I’ve built, and the support from my DJing community. Using that same fanbase and introducing them to this new fusion of Punjabi music and bass has been like a breath of fresh air. The response has been incredible—people messaging me saying things like, “This is the best night I’ve ever had!” or, “Who knew drum & bass and Punjabi music would sound so good together?”

It’s been so refreshing to witness. Honestly, it feels like the early days when I first started throwing nights—there was this excitement and buzz, and now, after a dip due to COVID, we’re slowly but surely making our way back up in a whole new scene. The growth has been organic, and I can feel that same energy coming back, but in a fresh, reinvigorated way.”

Credits: Monica Martini

As 2024 draws to a close, Jawani Nights is gearing up for its final session of the year, at the mighty XOYO Birmingham. With a stacked lineup featuring some of the most exciting names in the scene and the ones who have made Jawani Nights the juggernaut it is, the night will be the perfect way to wrap up what has already been an incredible year for DJ Aza and the Jawani Nights initiative. And while 2024 has been a landmark year, DJ Aza and his team are already looking ahead to 2025, with even bigger plans and more unforgettable nights in the works. The momentum that Jawani Nights has built throughout the year shows no signs of slowing down and 2025 promises to be another wicked year, filled with new faces, fresh sounds, and even more exciting opportunities for growth.