Download Ali Zafar's Those For Truth MP3 Song (MP Exclusive)

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Download Ali Azmat's Aansoo MP3 Song (Exclusive)

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Aansoo(musikpakistan.blogspot.com).mp3

Ali Azmat, a renowned Pakistani singer, is coming to town Aug. 24 to rock Surrey on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day.

This multidimensional artist who has been called the ‘Bono’ of Asia and has been labelled by the New York Times as Asia’s answer to Santana, is the only Pakistani musician who has performed live at the United Nations assembly promoting the music scene of Pakistan.

He has sold over 20 million albums worldwide, and was nominated for an Emmy award in 2002, putting Pakistan on the musical map.

Azmat’s first solo album, Social Circus, has exceeded the expectations of fans and silenced critics who were sceptical of his lone venture.

Azmat will perform as part of Jashan-e-Azadi 2008, an initiative of the Pakistani Youth Advisory Committee. The committee is comprised of a group of young Pakistani-Canadians who get involved in the Pakistani community.

The committee’s mandate is to preserve and promote Pakistan and its culture in British Columbia. The committee’s first initiative was organizing the Pakistani tent exhibiting Pakistani Culture and tradition at the 4th annual Canadian Islamic Cultural Expo.

Jashan-e-Azadi 2008 will also feature NAKSH, a local South Asian band, and a Cultural Show depicting the cultures and traditions of Pakistan.

The event will be held at the Bell Center for Performing Arts in Surrey starting at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $20, $25, $30 and $50 for VIP. For more information or to obtain tickets, contact Hamza Malik at 604.723.4090 or Waseem Javed at 604.779.7513.

Pakistan Band Jal (TOI Photo) The crowds kept pouring in and the ladies couldn’t help but scream out from time to time. It was a scenario any rockstar would have loved to be in — the love, adulation, screaming fans, the works. It was Saturday night when Pakistan Band Jal performed at Galaxy, The Park, as part of the 14th anniversary celebration of Someplace Else. When the band took the stage, they were greeted with loud cheers and applause from the audience. They belted out one hit after the other and had the crowd sing along with them and provide perfect backing vocals. Whoever said that singers from across the Border are besura? Farhan and Goher proved everyone wrong. Everything was perfect in their Sufi-music-influenced vocals — sur and taal. Their rock version of Mast kalandar was sung in true Sufiana andaaz while maintaining the contemporary touch to it. When the band got off stage, the crowd were on a high screaming for more. Link: Times Of India

DOWNLOAD ALI AZMAT - KLASHINFOLK [2008-MP3-VBR-320Kbps]


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01. Klashinfolk Intro
02. Gallan
03. Mera Khuda
04. Tanha Hai Kyon
05. Yeh Kya Hua
06. Naina
07. Tera Mera
08. Ley Sambhal
09. Shukriya
10. Ay Mere Saathi
11. You Are
12. Sawal

DOWNLOAD ALL THE SONGS IN ONE SINGLE LINK
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musikpakistan.blogspot.com

Experience the fourth episode of Coke Studio with All Artists.

Artists: All Artists
Drums: Gumby
Lead Guitar: Omran Shafique
Bass Guitar: Mannu
DJ, Keyboard: Zeeshan Parwez
Backing Vocals: Saba and Selina
Percussionist: Shezi
Dholak: Babar Khanna
Balochi Percussions: The Abdul Latif Band
Producer: Rohail Hyatt

Videos and Audios

Percussion Jam

Various

Dildara

Rahat Fateh Ali

Mein Challa

Ali Azmat

Garaj Baras

Ali Azmat & Rahat Fateh Ali

Dhaani

Strings & Ustaad Gullo

Sarkye

Strings

Flute Jam

Rahat Ali

Allah Hu

Ali Zafar & Tufail Ahmed

Electrifying performances by rock band ‘Noori’ and ‘Jal’ overpowered the ecstatic crowd and created a musical euphoria at the rock concert ‘Rockball 08’ organised by JB & Jaws with Wateen on Saturday night at PNCA Auditorium.

Just like a wake up call or a war siren, the rock stars took the audience by storm and rocked the night away. The jam-packed audience went in to a frenzied state as both popular bands took them by a musical storm and played on their hot and hit numbers one after another enthused with vibrant and energetic performances.

After a couple of numbers by local vocalists to warm up the night, Noori’s Ali Noor and Ali Hamza took the stage buzzing with energy and received astounding reception from the audience. With a superb balance of traditional Punjabi lyrics with rock and some highly Western numbers, the intensity of their movements and expression of complete involvement with the music was indeed electrifying. Noori opened their session with the most nostalgic and thought-provoking number, which is a big hit ‘Merey Log’ and then continued with their other hot hits from ‘Manwa re’ to ‘dil ki Qasam’ and ‘Suno ke mai hoon jawan’. Noori’s performance can be termed as one of the most energetic and entertaining live acts to have hit the Pakistani music scene. ‘Noori’ is one of the pioneering rock bands of Pakistan known for its hard-hitting impact in a multitude of interactive experiences. With highly energetic music and lyrics that every youngster can relate with, Noori has become a phenomenon, which has really picked up in the Pakistani music. With 2 albums out so far, ‘Suno Ke Mein Hun Jawan’ in 2003 and ‘Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jaani Ki Gol Dunya’ in 2005, along with 10 videos aired, more than half of which have been made by the band itself, Noori is definitely a creative name, which is respected in the Pakistani music industry and loved by thousands worldwide.

Jal came next, playing along the lines of Latin-Acoustic Guitars with main emphasis on melodies and the lyrical contents. Jal has become ever popular in their efforts fuelled by the desire to freshen up the pop/rock genre in Pakistan that also gave their music a very high degree of accessibility both in terms of composition and lyrics. Gohar Mumtaz and Farhan Saeed rocked the night away with their hot hits along with their teammates Shazi, Salim, Saad, Hasnain and Mac with his management support. From ‘Dil Harey’ to ‘Teri Yad’, the band rocked away the audience.

Shehzad Roy's album Qismat Apne Haat Mein is even better
Shehzad Roy outdoes himself with his new effort and breaks new conceptual ground in Pakistani pop
By Muniba Kamal

The video grabbed the attention of the nation as soon as it hit the airwaves. And within a week of its release, 'Laga Reh' was playing and replaying at an ad nauseum rate, except we never got nauseated… it remains a song that speaks for all of us.

After countless viewings, I still find myself laughing at it. The bunglings of the government in the newspaper makes the giggles gurgle up twofold. At a time when things are being painted as badly as they are in the press, the cat and mouse game between the political parties and the ex-General with both playing Tom and Jerry alternately, our PM's visits abroad and the hysteria they generated here at home, American transgression on our soil, various Rehman Malik fiascos, lawyers on a rampage, the perpetual breaking news situations on all or news channels that are bordering on the ridiculous now because the crises have gone on so damn long that they seem to have become a bad joke.

In the 'Laga Reh' video, Shehzad Roy takes this bad joke and turns it into a great video, internalizing the experience so we all identify with it.

“Main jab dus saal ka tha tou mein ne nine o'clock news pe suna ke Pakistan tareekh kay aik nazuk mor se guzar raha hai.” (When I was ten so I heard on the nine o'clock that Pakistan is at the crossroads of history). And then after one guitar riff, when he turns twenty, he hears the same on the 9 o'clock news. It's been the story of our lives and Ahsan Rahim's video is the perfect vehicle to carry the most topical song a Pakistani pop artist has ever come out with. With cameo appearances by Ali Azmat as the common man, Mani as a broadcast journalist talking about how the situation is under control at a riot gets hit with a stone to the back of the head and most unforgettably Faisal Qureshi, a dehati on a charpoy who witnesses Shehzad being dragged off by foreign troops and goes right back to sleep, ‘Laga Reh’ is a song that weaves together skits to come up with the most gloriously pertinent one liners.

“Mujhe fikar yeh nahin key eh mulk kaise chale ga, mujhe firk yeh hai ke aisay he na chalta rahe.” (I'm not worried about how this country will run, I am only worried that it will carry on running like this)
The song incorporates hilarious dialogue between Shezad and a buzurg (elderly gentleman):
Shehzad: “Mulk mein kitni tension ho gayi hai” (Look at the tension in the country)
Buzurg: “Kuch nahin kuch nahin, sab Allah par chhor do” (It's nothing, just leave it to God)
Shehzad: “Kuch na kar kuch na kar too sab kuch allah par chhod do… Allah hi tera hafiz hai” (Don't do anything at all, leave it all to God and then only God will be your saviour)
It's edgy stuff and incredibly relevant. This is the way previous generations have thought; indeed, the lines Shehzad Roy has penned are something said to us by some buzurg at some point in time or another. A whole new generation that has grown up with that attitude does want to go out there and change the status quo. It is this generation that Roy is choosing to identify with.

And the video ends with perhaps one of the most classic lines one has ever heard.
A punter to a politician: “Sir, lagta hai qaum ko jaganay ka waqt aa gaya hai.” (Sir, I think it is time to wake up the nation)
Politician: Qaum ko mat jagao, yeh kisi zaroori kaam se so rahe hain! (Don't wake up the nation, they're sleeping because of some important work)
‘Laga Reh’ is indeed the funniest take on life in Pakistan today and has people of all ages rolling with laughter and has made Shehzad Roy a superstar. People who didn't think much of him before, now agree he is an icon. How much difference the right idea at the right time can make to a career! And having the right connections and good synergy with them go a long way in helping one execute what one wants to.
‘Laga Reh’ is probably director Ahsan Rahim's finest video and it looks very much like a collaborative affort. Ahsan and Shehzad go back a long way. As do Ahsan, Faisal Qureshi and Mani having worked on Ulta Seedha together. With perhaps the most cinematic eye in the industry, Ahsan outdoes all his previous work with the video and the way the visuals sync with the song makes one think they were conceived together. The song and the video speak of major brainstorming and some very creative minds working together. That Shehzad Roy has built bridges between all these talents is commendable. It shows a man capable of recognizing talent in the industry and bringing them all together to create a video that truly exploded into our consciousness.

And the biggest surprise is that when you give the album a listen, you realize that 'Laga Reh' is not even the best song on it!
Qismat Apne Haat Mein
‘Laga Reh’ is the second best song, but it employs a clever technique that Shehzad uses to devastating affect in the title track of his album, which is characters speaking out and leading in to his music. The best song by far is 'Qismat Apne Haat Mein' itself.

It begins with the extremely affected accent of a London returned Pakistani girl who says: “Mein mulk se bahar parhne jaana chahti hoon, taa ke wapas aake gharib logon ki, you know jo gharib hote hain?, you know jo thore se woh hote hain, you know gharib se? You know what I mean? Unn ki madad karna chahti hoon.” (I want to go abroad so I can come back and help poor people, you know people who are like, you know, poor? You know what I mean? I want to help them)
Shehzad Roy: Cough Cough…
London returned girl: What happened?

Shehzad Roy: I'm allergic to bullshit.
And then the guitar riffs start and leads into a rollicking number laden with clever innuendos.
Zulm na kar too varna chhor dein ge yeh galiyan
Chand logon ne qaum ki lay lee hai (meaningful pause)
Qismat apnay haath mein.
(Do be cruel or we will leave these streets. A few people have taken the fortune of Pakistan in their hand)
Unfortunately the clever innuendo that makes one laugh out loud gets totally lost in the English translation.

‘Qismat Apne Haat Mein’ is a gem of a number, calling on the youth to wake up and smell the coffee and realize what is happening around them. That said, the album is not ground breaking musically, which is one criticism seasoned musicians have set forth. But one must say to them that the album breaks new ground in terms of the thought that has gone into it. It shows a singer chronicling what is happening in this day and age through song, oodles of angst and a biting wit. The music is simple, all catchy rhythm and very awami, which is the way Shehzad has always done it; however, songs like 'Laga Reh' and 'Qismat Apne Haat Mein' stand out for their audacity. And audacity is exactly what the Pakistani pop music has been missing for a very long time, ever since Junoon's 'Ehtesaab' was banned... and 'Ehtesaab' was nowhere close to the anthems Shehzad Roy has come out with.

Songs for the young
There is the excellent 'Khul Ke Pyaar Hum Nahin Kar Sakte' (We cannot love freely) which goes on: Khul Ke Jhoom Bhi Nahi Hum Sakte
Saara saara din in hi sochon mein gum
Kya ho plan raat ka jis mein ho jaein gum
(We cannot dance openly either
All day we are lost in the thought
Of cooking up an evening plan in which to get lost)
And then Shehzad Roy introduces the father by singing “Raat hotay hi eik paigham aata hai” (And when it's night a message arrives)
Father: Beta, barah baj gaye hain, ghar wapas aa jao (Son, it's 12 o'clock, come home NOW!)
This is the story of so many Pakistani teenaged lives and this is precisely the stuff pop anthems are made of. And these anthems would not have happened had Shehzad not decided to write them himself. The lyrical simplicity is what grabs you. Shehzad has taken his own dilemmas growing up, drawing room conversations, prevailing social attitudes and spun songs around them in a way no one has before, with the possible exception of Abrar, who does the same brilliantly in Punjabi. However, his songs are more social commentary. Shehzad Roy's album has both the social and political edge

There is also touch of idealism with the excellent 'Quaid e Azam', the most unlikely tribute to the father of the nation. It begins with a child doubting his future because he's been naughty and his grandmother has scolded him saying he will amount to nothing. And it is this child that Shehzad sings to.

Quaid e Azam jab chhote the, woh bhi nani se shrasrat karte hon ge
Lekin kehte honge: “Mein ek din kuch banoon ga, nanoon ji aap bhi yaad karein ge”
(When the Quaid was a little boy, he probably played pranks on his grandma too. But he must have said: “I will be something one day, someone so big Grandma that you will remember me.”)
It's a song that forces us to think back to childhood, and ponder on what Jinnah's would have been. And when you look at the song in context of the man that really was (if you read Stanley Wolpert's Jinnah) and compare it to what he has been twisted into by our own skewed perspective of history, Shehzad's imaginings on his childhood make one say “Good on you Shehzad!”

The other numbers
The other lovely number is 'Zindagi' that was released as a video last year with Abida Parveen. Abida's voice and the guitar make more a memorable song. And then there are the ballads out of which 'Aankhein' remains the most effective because of the edge. “Sapna mera aankhon se kuch aise gira, saath hi mujh ko bhi le gira”. That it follows the angsty 'Laga Reh' on the album makes the song even more poignant.
'Ek Baar', 'Janay Kahan' and 'Darwaza' are sweet enough melodically, but they aren't a patch on Atif's 'Pehli Nazar' which to date is remains the catchiest pop ballad of the year. Neither do they have the musical sophistication of Strings' 'Koi Aanay Wala Hai' and 'Humsafar'. Shehzad seems to have found his niche on this album, which is edgy pop and that is something that hasn't been done before. With Qismat Apnay Haat Mein, Shehzad Roy has moved on from being a pop poster boy to pop renegade and that is a gigantic leap.

The new Shehzad Roy

Minus the ineffective ballads, Qismat Apnay Haat Mein is nothing short of a pop revolution. We have seen the bubblegum disco beats Nazia and Zoheb, and the patriotism and introspection of the Vital Signs. There has been Hadiqa with her heavily Punjabi influenced pop that made her a star and one has seen the joyful tongue-in-cheek verve of Ali Zafar’s Huqa Paani and the meteoric rise of Atif Aslam who came out with the rather banal Meri Kahani this year. Shehzad himself was first the 'Teri Soorat' boy and then (a tad more impressively) the 'Saali' guy… but let's face it, while 'Saali' may have caused some strong reactions and was a catchy enough song, it was innocuous and silly. 'Laga Reh' has become a rebel yell for our times and if Shahzad's next video is 'Qismat Apnay Haath Mein', then he will solidify that reputation and go down a pop hero.

It's about time Pakistan had a pop renegade. Shehzad's edgier songs and the unmissable 'Laga Reh' phenomenon make him Pakistan's equivalent of the Pet Shop Boys in London of the '80s. While Duran Duran capitalized the market on sexy glamour and Wham were out doing fun songs like 'Wake Me Up', Pet Shop Boys had the edge with songs like 'It's a Sin' and 'Surburbia' that reflected their life and the times they lived in. Most of all these songs reflected a generation gap.

And for those of us, growing up as teenagers in Karachi, the lyrics of 'It's a Sin' resonated as we heard the song on TDK tapes bought from Graffiti in 1987 soon after it was released in England.
At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn't quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
The Pet Shop Boys may not have made it as big as Wham and Madonna would, but they had an impact. And all these years later, they remain a personal favourite from that era.

They made us think even as they made us dance and sing along with them. That is what Shehzad Roy has achieved the same in the Urdu slang idiom with ‘Laga Reh’, ‘Qismat Apnay Haat Mein’ and ‘Khul Kay Pyar’. And that is historical for Pakistani pop.

The corporate question mark
Apart from breaking new ground in terms of giving Pakistani pop socially relevant anthems, the

other thing that sets Shehzad Roy's Qismat Apne Haat Mein apart is the fact that it is the only album to come out this year without a corporate sponsorship. This is shocking considering that he is tried and tested and in a day and age that even Zeb and Haniya with their eclectic blend of jazz, blues and Urdu find a corporate sponsor, the fact that Shehzad Roy didn't makes one circumspect about the role of corporations in our music scene.

Our pop industry has become heavily dependent on corporate giants to fund the music scene. In the absence of ticketed events, corporations organize concerts. In the absence of record labels they started sponsoring artists and they carry on doing so to this day, be it in terms of videos or albums. The problem with corporations is that they play it safe, whereas art is all about taking risks. Will getting that corporate sponsor keep musicians from coming out with social commentary and politically loaded songs? Will corporations discourage our artists from pushing the envelope?

Shehzad couldn't find a sponsor for his album. He told Instep no corporation was willing to touch it with a barge pole. He went to Fire Records and Geo and they agreed to do it, which is probably why, the ‘Laga Reh’ video is subtly branded with the organization's emblems. It is important though that there is an alternative to the corporate giants of the consumer good world. Media organizations are willing to push the envelope in Pakistan and artists should say what they have to say knowing that someone will back them.
Here's hoping that the refreshing direction of Qismat Apnay Haat Mein sets the winds of change blowing in Pakistani pop just as the Pet Shop Boys boys did with British pop in the 80s. There is no reason why pop shouldn't start ideas churning in your head even as its beat sets your feet tapping. In fact, it is a winning combination and ‘Laga Reh's success proves that Pakistan is more than ready for it.

SOURCE: The News - Instep

The 11^th death anniversary of world’s most outstanding vocalists the great Sufi qawwal Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was observed Sturday. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the Pakistani singer who had worked with such Western musicians as Eddie Vedder, Peter Gabriel and progressive guitarist and producer Michael Brook, died at age 48, a private TV channel (Geo News) reported.

Born into a family with a centuries-long tradition of qawwali singing, Khan began recording in the early ‘70s after ignoring his father’s wishes that he pursue medicine. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and was considered as one of the greatest Qawwals in the world. Khan was a master of qawwali singing, which combines lyrics from Sufi religious poems with hypnotic rhythms and vocal chants. He never performed in English he sang in Urdu, Punjabi and Farsi Khan also captivated many Westerners, including such musicians as Vedder, Joan Osborne and the late Jeff Buckley, as well as Hollywood types like Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Khan had made a great impression on the music scene with his mix of Eastern poetic music with that of the West. After travelling to London for treatment for liver and kidney problems, Khan was rushed from the airport to Cromwell Hospital, where he suffered a fatal heart attack. Khan departed from this sphere on the 16th of August 1997, and will be missed immensely by his fans all across the globe.

Junaid Jamshed to make a difference with his next offering… and he’s not doing naats this time!

Instep caught up with the yester years wonder boy and one of our biggest heart throbs of the 80s, Junaid Jamshed to see what he is currently working on and exactly what he has planned out for August 14.

Junaid will be coming back with a bang with a new album in the coming year, which according to him, is on the lines of his previous album, Jalwa e Janan. The only difference is that is not a compilation of naats, but actual experiences in life that inspire him which he has woven together in a lyrical form to inspire the youth and the nation.

“I spend most of my time on Allah’s path. In my upcoming album, which will be released sometime next year, I have put in the little knowledge that I have to improve people’s lives. Everyone has worries in life that they want addressed. I have tried to address those problems and in the process I have learnt a lot and have tried to mend my own self. If I can help inspire anyone with my work, it an achievement for me. That is my objective,” he speaks about his new path in life and it is interesting that he doesn’t really place stock in doing something special on August 14.

“I’m not doing anything particular on Independence Day. I try and do something interesting all year round. Ramzan is coming up and on the business side we are trying to come up with good designs. Shalwar kameez should be trendy so people look good and want to wear them, which is what we concentrate on. We always try and play with different colours and that you see all year round. Its not something were doing specially for August 14. Pakistani people have their own distant tastes and styles and our designers are working on those lines all year round.”

Junaid Jamshed can convert all he wants and have many more careers, but for the people of Pakistan, he is one icon who is never going out of style.

link: The News International - No. 1 English Newspaper from Pakistan30, 1899

Atif Aslam (Musician)

“On August 14 everyone will say ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ but I will say ‘Fight For Pakistan, Survive for Pakistan and Live for Pakistan!’

Our country has a lot of problems these days and we should try and make things better in whatever way we can. We should get out on the roads and help clean up our beautiful country. It is about time issues like these be addressed. Everyone is too busy thinking and pondering over the political situation in the country, in which they have no say or power. They should concentrate on the things and areas where they can possibly make a difference. Somethings are in our control, such as not polluting our cities. These are the kind of things we can do something about and we should.

I would tell the average person in Pakistan to get over politics since we cannot do anything about it and concentrate on something we have some control over. On August 14 we should all contribute to the betterment of our society in whatever little way we can and we should begin from home. Anything that can make your neighbourhood or your street a better place. If we all do our little bit individually, it will make a big difference and definitely make Pakistan a better place.

I will drive around on August 14 since I love seeing so many people with Pakistani jhandas.I want to go out and see what people are upto and be a part of the excitement and happiness!”


Saquib Malik (Director)

“I think good times are on their way towards our country. So, gear up for some good time ahead and I am sure it’s going to be a fun ride. We have had our share of bad days and we will soon have a new tomorrow.

People talk about doing a lot of things on the 14th of August; they put up flags, sing national songs but as soon as the day is over, the flag suffers its fate on the roads. The best thing is to put up a flag but learn to respect it too. It is of great importance to us and we should never forget that. However, the most important thing is to pray for peace in our country because we are in dire need of it.

I don’t have any special plans for the day. I might just sleep half of the day and spend the other half watching television. But along with that, I will hope things in our country get better with time.”


Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (Musician)

“This is my country,my nation and these are all my brothers and sisters. I want us all to come together to make our beloved Pakistan a better place to live in. Abhi waqt bohat nazuk ja raha hay aur humay chahiyay keh hum politics ko zara sa side par karein aur ye sochain keh hum apnay mulk ki image kaisay behtar kar saktay hain. We need to concentrate on our international image because that is very important and pivitol for a country’s progress.

Hum sub ko chaiyaya keh hum apna apna role zimewari say ada karein. If politicians concentrate on their job and do it well and we all play our parts responsibly, Pakistan will hopefully get on the right track. We all need to unite in this effort and also act as responsible citizens on an individual level. We all have to support each other and work together for a better Pakistan. Mein tou yehi kahoonga keh hum sub mil jul kar apna gham bantain aur dua karein apnay mulk ki behteri kay liye.

We have sacrificed so much to get this homeland and we should learn to appreciate this Azadi and this country.

This August 14 I am going to be working on my upcoming album and will be praying that next year on August 14 we have a lot to celebrate and be proud of!”

link: The News International - No. 1 English Newspaper from Pakistan

Noteworthy tunes Ahmed Jahanzeb

Ahmed Jahanzeb is yet another pop singer from across the border wanting to make an impression in India. AJ, as he is often called, is different though. Armed with a very distinct style, soft and captivating, the singer-composer, whether he is performing live or crooning from the cool confines of a studio, leaves a mark with a voice that stands out in times when melody has become a rarity.

The latest example of this is the sound track of the recent Pakistani film released in India, Khuda Ke Liye. Jahanzeb not only crooned some of the numbers for it, he also gave music to the critically-acclaimed film. AJ gives credit to his training in classical music for this. “I am lucky to have classical music ingrained in my system from an early age. Can you speak any language well without having proper knowledge of its grammar? To understand the commas, pauses and full-stops of music you have to have classical training,” he maintains. That it reflects in his work shows in the impressive list of his hits — Ek Baar Kaho Tum Meri Ho, Aap Ki Yaad Aati Rahi, Mujhe Pyaar Chaahiye, Tu Jo Nahi, Sheeshay Ke Mahal and Kaho Ek Din, which happens to be his personal favourite.

For AJ, also called the Wonder Boy in his home country Pakistan because he first appeared in a TV show at five and cut his first album at nine, sound grooming has been the essence of his musical journey.

“It helped me a lot because it made me a confident artiste. A lot of singers begin their journey with fanfare but fail to reach their destination. I always wanted to reach out to my audience,” he quips.

AJ’s early initiation meant that he matured fast, developed a style that enchanted the youngsters in Pakistan, and importantly, drove the fear of public appearance from his mind. “I never had mike fear or stage fright. I take pride in my grooming and I must say I am lucky to have met the right people in my formative years as a singer.” No wonder the 30-year-old from Karachi admits to be in love with the reality shows.

In India recently to launch his album by Tips Laut Aao, AJ hoped his effort would be well received. “It is a team effort. I have worked very hard. I thank all my colleagues for giving me this opportunity. Sameer has written some great numbers and Sachin Gupta’s compositions are soul-stirring. I’ve given my best and I hope the audience likes it,” says AJ, who describes remixes as essentially a result that comes when your creativity is “nil.”

Faisal Kapadia takes the Olympic spirit to school!

The Olympic ceremony may have officially opened in Beijing but for children of a highly prestigious school in Karachi, the torch had come back for them via none other than Strings vocalist and official torch-bearer Faisal Kapadia.

It was just another day as they were all gathered in the assembly area for their morning prayers until they noticed Faisal step up and take over. This is the first time the Olympic torch visited Pakistan and Strings were the proud participants of the Olympic relay. “I was asked to share the torch with the kids and it turned out so well.”

Morning routine soon became all excitement as the kids got to be part of the Olympic spirit. It was like a small Olympics relay at their school because they made the kids hold the torch and run with it passing it onto the next person standing in line. “The kids enjoyed it so much because they actually got to hold the real torch in their hands. Though, they were not really aware of the importance of it but they knew it was BIG to have it in our country.”

Faisal was very excited to share it with the children because the kids should have the opportunity to experience it too… now they have a chance to do so. “When we were kids, we never had the chance of getting a glimpse of it… forget holding it. And, now when we can… so why not share it with the younger lot,” shared Faisal.

link: The News International - No. 1 English Newspaper from Pakistan

LAHORE: Actor Firdaus Jamal has turned into a singer by completing his first music album, ready to be released. He has written the lyrics for the album himself while the album includes Pashto tracks.

The composition of the music album had been prepared by Bobby Wazir.

Music lifts our spirits and has always been an integral part of our celebrations on Independence Day. From “Jeevay Pakistan” to “Dil, Dil Pakistan”, when we hear those tunes, our hearts fill with patriotic pride and nostalgia. Music has the ability to tug at our heart strings and so it is no surprise that our musicians are adulated the way they are. We take a look at four stars who are not only savvy at making music but also at making the most out of music…

Shehzad Roy

Shehzad Roy debuted on the Pakistani music scene in 1995 and what a debut it was! The young singer garnered an instant fan following with the teenyboppers and soon his songs were to be heard everywhere. Shahzad continues to be an innovative musician, writing lyrics that are fun but relevant to the times we live in. This is why his album, Buri Baat Hai, released in 2005, still sounds fresh with its tongue-in-cheek songs and entertaining videos, and his latest album, Qismat Apnay Haat Mein is flying off the shelves after an unusual launch at the Juvenile Jail in Karachi and a controversial video of the song ‘Laga Reh’.
In a sense, Shahzad can be credited with initiating the first high-profile international exchanges. He has sung with Sukhbir and Shan as well as having worked with Bryan Adams. In fact, Shahzad is responsible for bringing Bryan to Pakistan as part of a charity concert a few years ago.
But more than music, it is Shahzad's dedication to his NGO, the Zindagi Trust, which is commendable. The trust now has 25 schools across the country and it uses an innovative method to entice children, who would otherwise be on the street, to attend school - the children receive a small monetary amount for each day of attendance. Shahzad was awarded the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in 2004, for his efforts to help the underprivileged children of Pakistan and the Sitara-e-Eisaar in recognition of his trust's work in the earthquake affected areas.
With his boyish good looks, his witty songs and his worthy cause, Shahzad Roy truly embodies the spirit of young and independent Pakistan, striving to make a difference.

Atif Aslam

It is, by now, a well-known story of how Atif Aslam became a singer - while singing for some friends at the college canteen, he was persuaded to participate in a singing competition on Independence Day celebrations. He performed, won and blew everyone away by the sheer magnitude of his voice.
In 2004, Atif released his first album Jal Pari, which became a hit thanks to the much-disputed yet highly-acclaimed hits, Aadat, Woh Lamhey, and Dil Harey. Then followed Doorie, a very filmi album by the standards of Atif Aslam fans, which still managed to produce 3, if not 4, super hit songs. Atif’s latest album, Hungaami Halat was released early this year and although it has done well, it has not produced hits anywhere near the cult status achieved by Aadat, Doorie and the like from previous albums.
Atif has lent his voice to many songs for Bollywood films and this has increased his international fan-following by multitudes. This year, Atif received the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for his services in the field of music.

Ali Zafar

Aptly titled the Prince of Pop, Ali is perhaps the most versatile young artiste around. Musician, actor, painter and model, it is no surprise that he won the Youth Icon Award at the Lux Style Awards in 2007. His 2003 debut, Huqa Pani, won him an award for Best Album at the 2004 LSAs.
Ali's voice has often been compared to that of the legendary Kishore Kumar's and that suave voice may be the secret behind his tremendous success... that, and the fact that he is extremely good-looking - he was rated as one of the 10 sexiest men in Asia by British magazine, Eastern Eye! Ali proved just how good a musician he was recently in a live performance - he held his own against trained classical singers as well as musicians belonging to other genres.
Although it has been almost two years since his last album, Masty, was released, Ali remains in the media eye thanks to his many endorsements.

Hadiqa Kiyani

Undoubtedly, the best female pop singer in the country, Hadiqa started her career as a VJ for one of the first music chart shows in the fledgling entertainment industry. After her debut with Raaz in 1995, Hadiqa went on to release many more albums - most of them going multi-platinum.
Always willing to experiment, whether it was with her music or her looks, Hadiqa continued to evolve and change with each album. A fresh look with each new video kept her in the news. Her long coats paired with trousers became her signature in the 90s.
Hadiqa is one of the few artistes who has not only collaborated with many other local musicians but has also performed internationally at concerts featuring international stars such as Lionel Richie, Wet Wet Wet, Lisa Stansfield and the Brand New Heavies.
In 2006, Hadiqa was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz for her services in the field of music. While Hadiqa has not been very musically active this year, her collaboration with various artistes in the widely aired track “Yeh Hum Naheen” keeps her on our TV screens.