Hamza is a drummer with a sense of humor, but he doesn’t take his drumming lightly. He has made a reputation for himself in various aspects of music. Be it touring, studio sessions, recording and programming on albums, designing hardware, judging competitions, drum teching, interviewing drummers, teaching at institutes, or conducting clinics, he has experienced it all. His obsession began at the age of 4, when his parents gifted him a toy drum kit. After air drumming for years, he heard Tool’s ‘Lateralus’ album and decided that he wanted to take up drumming seriously. His efforts finally paid off when he was rewarded with his first drum kit, coincidentally a Mapex, which he eventually came to endorse. His love for Paiste landed him with an endorsement deal in 2012, making him the first Indian to be on the same roster as his idol Danny Carey. Today, he is known not only for his ability to adapt to different musical settings but also for his in-depth knowledge of drum theory, its advanced applications, and technical prowess for flawless execution of the same. His efforts were officially recognized in 2014 when he won the Rolling Stone Jack Daniel’s Award for Best Drummer. His major influences are Danny Carey, Gavin Harrison, Tomas Haake, Virgil Donati, Marco Minnemann, and Stef Broks. Their styles are evident in his playing. His motto is - “If the drum gods can do it, then with the right mindset, hard work and practice, you can too”.