Bonafide is duo consisting of Maz and Ziggy, the two talented artists who grew up together in Manchester and both share a strong passion for music, have encompassed different styles and influence to create their own Brit-Asian sound which is sure to be embedded into your musical conscious. Singer / rapper Maz describes the Bonafide sound: "at its heart it's hip-hop and R'n'B with a dash of other flavours from around us that give us musical inspiration. It's a real fusion of styles - you have a Desi influence fused with beats that range from the Latino reggaeton vibes to smooth jazz funk to straightforward dance floor beats with a Spanish and Arabic vibe".
Bonafide's hard work, commitment and determination to hit the music industry with a fresh new sound finally came to fruition in summer of 2008, when t...hey released their first single, 'Ishq Hogaya'. The track became an instant hit and reached number one on Asian radio stations across the nation. Two years on, the track remains as popular as the day it was released, with its feel-good summer beats managing to draw crowds onto the dance floor irrespective of the weather!
After the huge success of both singles, the foundation had been laid for Bonafide's debut album 'Life Through Melody' which released in February 2009. The album became one of the bestselling albums of the year, with Bonafide breaking barriers in the Urban/Asian genre. With vocals in English, Punjabi and Hindi, the album was a fusion of commercial R'n'B and contemporary Asian sounds, also featuring Arabian beats and even a Spanish twist.
In July 2010, Bonafide released their EP entitled, 'Came To Party' produced by Kam Frantic and Hunterz. The EP consisted of four brand new tracks and four bonus tracks which provided something for all tastes, from hot summer anthems to cool chill out tracks.
As well as making great music, 2010 has been a year when Bonafide have shown their altruistic side, with the past twelve months focused on donation and raising funds for those less fortunate than themselves.
Following the tragic floods in August 2010, Bonafide turned their attention to helping the victims in Pakistan. Maz and Ziggy's first effort to raise awareness for this issue was a charity car wash which helped to raise an over whelming £5,000. Ziggy then flew to Pakistan to personally deliver the money raised and spent three days in Muzafgar, one of the worst hit regions, providing much needed meals for the people of the local area.
Continuing their work, Bonafide released a charity single, 'Jeevay Pakistan', in December 2010 to raise awareness for the victims of the Pakistan Floods. The heart-felt charity single caught the attention of leading mobile provider, Lebara Mobile who then teamed up with Bonafide to match all proceeds from the single. The track is also supported by a special video featuring a number of cameo appearance from celebrities who are supporting the cause.
In Just over two years, the Manchester base duo has developed a massive fan base both across the UK as well as internationally, pleasing the crowds everywhere they perform. To date Bonafide have performed in over 40 cities around the world including Dubai, Kampala (Uganda) and Lahore.