Based: Cape Town
Born in Mitchells Plain, Emo Adams, at age 9 was cast for the production District 6: The Musical. Emo is the only person to have played every character in District 6. Emo Adams has 2 older brothers; Luqmaan and Junaid.
Emo Adams is a South African actor, singer and producer best known for his collaborations with David Kramer and the late Taliep Pietersen, specifically his roles in the musicals District 6: The Musical and Kat & the Kings.
Born and raised in the heart of the Cape Flats, Mitchells Plein, Adams is the younger sibling of only two sons.
His childhood years were filled with the sound of harmonies and song, strongly influenced by his musically inclined father and the musical talent of his elder brother, fellow actor Luqmaan Adams.
At the age of 9, Emo was cast to play the role of a homeless street child in the renowned theatre production District 6: The Musical, written and produced by David Kramer and the late Taliep Pietersen.
It was here where his love for theatre and his journey into the world of the performing arts began.
Spending most of his teenage years singing along to the melodies of the Malay Choirs and annually performing with them as part of his Malay cultural background, music and melodies became an infectious part of his life.
On completion of his high school career at Spine Road High, Mitchell’s Plein, he embarked on furthering his education when he enrolled at Boston House College.
He soon discovered though that his passion for performing was ultimately where his heart lies
In 1996, along with three friends and his brother, Luqmaan, Emo formed a 5-member boy band called JAG. The group soon became popular in and around the Cape, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg for their perfect harmonies and entertaining live performances.
Although JAG still perform together as a group, Emo has over the years managed to add a history of drama, dance, music and theatre.
In 2001, he once again was cast in the production District 6: The Musical. This time he played the role of “Sophia”, a dynamic, glamorous drag queen.
In 2000 Emo traveled extensively to Germany as part of the cast of David Kramer and Taliep Pietersen’s Lawrence Olivier award-winning production Kat & the Kings, in which he played the role of a young singing sensation.
On being cast in the Bollywood production Fusion, which was staged at the Globe Theatre in Johannesburg in 2006, Emo performed Indian song and dance in a traditional Bollywood style.
In television, he played a lead role in the kykNET television series Alie Barber, made guest appearances on the musical game show Liriekeraai and was a guest on the talk show Dis Hoe Dit Is Met Steve, hosted by Steve Hofmeyr.
In 2007 he performed alongside Mynie Grové and many other Afrikaans artists at the annual KKNK Fees in Outdshoorn.
He then headed to the rural town of Clanwilliam where he auditioned local young school kids and spent weeks producing and directing a musical production as part of the 2007 Cederberg Festival.
Also in 2007, Emo released his first CD, “Tall, Dark & Afrikaans”, which was produced by D’Six Records.
In April 2008 he appeared in the SABC2 mini-series Malan en Kie, playing the role of Solly.