Shehzad roy is coming back after a bit of a break, the rumor has it the album has been banned, the promo of the video sounds refreshing feature Ali Azmat. The lover boy Shehzad roy seems like is growing up and taking on some political issues. Enjoy the promos
Coming from a humble background Aaishah Akram has certainly started craving her way in the industry. She describes herself as very sensitive individual and as someone who can easily and eagerly express herself through various means of art . ‘I am used to expressing myself through painting, dancing, sketching, writing and composing. And it all comes naturally to me. You can call it a God’s gift that I am truly grateful for’.
She has been writing music for the past seven years, her efforts where first recognized by Fakhir. She was the brains behind the hit Tauba Hai, besides composing the popular number she also sang besides Fakhir on LAG LAG. She says working with Fakhir was delightful and looks forward to working with more talented individuals in the near future.
It has not been an easy route for her though she admits. She thinks Pakistani music industry is still reluctant and discriminates a lot against female musicians she says ‘Many reputed musicians, recordists, media people and even my relatives (except for my parents and friends) used to tell me that it’s not a good field of work for women coming from respectable backgrounds. Over time I noticed that there are still a lot of educated men in our society who get uncomfortable around women who are overly ambitious and this makes them behave in many odd ways. To make a long story short, it’s definitely a struggle but eventually everyone learns to respect you and your work if you’re truly talented, committed to your work and intelligent in your decisions’. Media is not all that friendly with newcomers either if anything they look to exploit them. Although she maintains all hope is not lost ‘there are certain individuals within the system who are genuine music lovers and they helped me quiet a lot’, along with them she looks towards her family and friends for motivation. The most important aspect though she believes is keeping ones spirits high is being grateful for all one has been blessed with and remaining focused on ones goal.
Although one believes that true talent and had work do pay off in the end.
Despite all the discrimination Aaishah has managed to get one of the most prominent directors of the industry Sohail Javed to directed her first video . Beqarar carriers a powerful social message and she credits Sohail Javed for it, she says it was him who visualized the concept and she loved it. She says its not a one-off and intends to use her music as a tool for creating awareness and educating her fan in regards to the social issues that affect the wellbeing of the under-privileged. Its not all serious stuff from the 27 year old she says that in her upcoming album Dil-e-muntazir there would be some upbeat numbers which are meant for pure entertainment. In any case she maintain that we can expect quality from her work. She believes that she is a very versatile artist and a very diverse person and says that her upcoming album is a proof of that. Every song in the album is different from the other and represents me or my ideas in some way.
Her second single that has been rooming around the world wide web is Tera Bin, compared to Beqarar is upbeat and revolves around the more commercial aspect of love. According to her Tera bin was ‘done out of my love for rock but I can’t relate with the lyrics that deeply (maybe because it’s a love song and I am not in love). =p’ * hint * hint fans. Though generally i got the feeling that Rock music is quiet close to her heart and in the future she would be using it as a tool to make a stronger statement.
After making it too the top 10 of the most of the music channels play list she is being offered quite a few record deals, but has not signed the dotted line yet, she is keeping her options open. Aaishah maintains that any place or media that help develop her talent further and brings honor and pride to her country and her family is an option and it includes bollywood. She added that the Pakistani music industry is in the adolescent stage. And adolescents are never ever financially stable on their own. Perhaps this is the reason why so many musicians are looking over the border.
Whatever be the case Aaishah akram is a refreshing addition to the ever so diverse music industry. Beqarar has certainly raised our hopes and we surely expect her to deliver. We at Mazaqah wish her all the luck and hope that she gets all the opportunities to mature her talents.
Aaishah Akram’s debut video Beqarar targets a social issue faced by countries like Pakistan and holds a special msg for the viewer. The video concept and direction has been done by Sohail Javed.
Song details:
Sung by Aaishah Akram
Composed by Aaishah Akram
Lyrics by Aaishah Akram
Music arrangement by Faraz (Infinity Studio)
Song Mixed by Afzal (Stylus Studio)
Shafqat Amanat Ali receives the President’s Award for excellence in music
Instep Today catches up with the musician on his upcoming Sufi album and what he’s been up to post-Fuzon.
Aamna Haider Isani
It’s difficult to get track of high profile, popular musicians like Shafqat Amanat Ali since they jet-set all over the place, especially in the neighboring land of Bollywood. Shafqat has been there too, in fact his song from last year’s Kabhie Alvida Naa Kehna – ‘Mitwa’ – was one of he most memorable from the soundtrack of the Shahrukh Khan and Rani Mukherjee starrer.
Fame and stardom can make you highly elusive but when the government of your country selects you for receiving one of the most prestigious civilian awards around, rest assured the musician will make sure he’s around to receive it. That too in a sherwani!
We spoke with Atif Aslam a couple of days ago and also managed to catch up with Shafqat Amanat Ali on how he felt to be the recipient of the President’s Award this week. He discusses that and a lot more in this Instep Today exclusive…
Instep Today: Why do you think the government gave you the President’s Award this year?
Shafqat Amanat Ali: I can’t say why I got it this year. All I feel is that I have walked in the footsteps of my family. This award is the fifth awarded to my family and I am proud to be walking in the tradition set by my father, my uncles, Hamid Ali Khan (who has also received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz this year) …my whole family. It is the highest civilian award in Pakistan, though I don’t think I’ve been working for it much in the past year.
Instep Today: Does the government’s recognition of musicians change the way it perceives the industry as a whole? Do you think its attitude is changing and we can expect support and facilitation of the industry?
SAA: I don’t think there will be any major changes. This is just a good gesture and should be seen as such. By recognizing and honouring musicians, the government shows that it is liberal in its views. But what they should be careful about is mindlessly distributing these awards each year. They can’t be handing out these honours to just anyone simply because they must have a musician or artist on their list. The industry should work harder and it should truly deserve it.
Instep Today: There are several other musicians, besides yourself, who have been honoured this year. So who do you think didn’t deserve it?
SAA: (laughs) No, no… I’m not saying that. I’m just saying that awards should be earned, not passed out randomly.
Instep Today: What do you consider the milestones of your career last year?
SAA: After disbanding, a lot of rumours were going around that I had two albums up my sleeve, ready for release. That was not true. I had not prepared any solo album at that time. But I do have an album ready now and it is a Sufi album. It is ready to be released. The other album, the one I had done with the band, will come out in October-November. It won’t have as much masala as a Fuzon album would have had, but it will have my signature. I wanted to put an album between the release of the disbanding and the Fuzon album, which is why I have worked on a Sufi album.
Instep Today: How did you come across the idea of doing a Sufi album?
SAA: I was actually offered the project in India. India Today wanted me to do a Sufi album but I told them that what they thought as Sufi music, was in fact nothing of the sort. I explained it to them – Sufi music had to be about the kalaam and raags, not synthesized music. I told them that I would do it my way.
This was supposed to be a mid-term sort of album but has turned out to be quite cool. India Today will be releasing it as the biggest release of the year. They understood what I had done and were quite excited about it.
Instep Today: How are they planning on promoting the album?
SAA: Well, they are getting in touch with some of the top Indian actresses for the videos. Let’s see if any of them agree. They wanted the stars but I insisted that it would HAVE to be a Pakistani music video director. They were very curious to know why and I told them that just as there is a huge difference between Indian pop and Pakistani pop music, there is a huge difference in the way we see things. We have our own distinct look that I want to retain in my songs and videos. The visual identity has to be mine.
I have given them a list of all top directors – who in all probability will be too busy to agree to do my videos. But India Today has agreed. They were on with this ‘fusion’!
Instep Today: Weren’t you also planning on producing two albums with Rohail Hyatt?
SAA: Yes, my solo albums. But Rohail has gotten very busy with his Coke Studio project and I don’t know when he’ll have the time. We’ll see if we can do the album together.
Instep Today: Do you have any comments about Fuzon’s new vocalist and the fact that they’ve come out with a new version of ‘Neend Na Aaye’ that you had sung?
SAA: He is a good singer and I don’t know him personally but from what I’ve heard of him, he’s a good person too.
Instep Today: Last of all, as a recipient of the Presidential Award, what steps would you like to be seen taken by the government to help the progress and facilitation of the music industry?
SAA: Things have been the same in this country since 1947. The government is not going to get up and suddenly start giving out stipends to artistes, neither are they about to open institutes for training people. But things will still continue to happen. What the government can do is make it easier for musicians to bring technical equipment into the country. We buy equipment worth millions and then pay millions again in customs. This process should be made duty free or at least less duty for musicians.
The 39-year-old son of lead O’Jays singer Eddie LeVert, was declared dead Sunday night at about 11:57 a.m. Leveret was reportedly sick and went to the infirmary of the Cuyahoga County Jail, where he was detained for failing to pay approximately $80,000 in child support.
His body was taken from the prison’s medical facility to the Lutheran Hospital.
According to a jail official, a guard who checked on LeVert noticed he couldn’t breathe normally. The guard called staff from the medical facility of the prison, but they couldn’t save his life. The jail official added that they weren’t aware of any pre-existing medical condition that could have helped them prevent this.
LeVert had been in jail for about a week.
The cause of his death is still unknown, but the autopsy scheduled to take pace on Monday morning will surely bring more light to the case. Toxicology tests will also be carried out according to Cleveland Coroner’s spokesman Powell Caesar.
Sean LeVert of Streetsboro was the younger brother of Gerald LeVert and a member of the band “LeVert.” His brother Gerald, a Grammy award winner, also passed away on November 10, 2006 at the age of 40. He was found dead in his bed at his Newbury home.
The “LeVert” band was an R&B group formed in 1984 in Cleveland. Its founding members were Sean and Gerald LeVert and Marc Gordon. The group increased their popularity with hits like (Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind and Casanova. Sean LeVert also featured in a few movies such as “New Jack City.”
The LeVerts enjoyed much appreciation in their native Canton, where a street was named after them.
Bollywood is set to get a bigger dose of Pakistani pop this year!
Maheen Sabeeh
2008 is turning out to be an interesting year for Bollywood and Pakistani music. While musicians like Strings have refused offers from the likes of Dharma Productions and Madhur Bhandarkar and even Jal – who received an offer to work in a film featuring Tabu – others have signed on onto Bollywood.
Call have already sung and shot the video for ‘Yeh Pal’ that is being featured in the upcoming film Aasman and will star Nauheed Nauheed Cyrusi (Anwar fame), Hrishita Bhatt and an upcoming actor Subhahish Mukherjee.
Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, who has been AWOL from the music scene since he made it big with ‘Mitwa’ for Karan Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and parted ways from Fuzon, is all set to surface back. And this guy is going from one big high profile film to another. Now it has been revealed that Shafqat will next be singing for Atul Agnihotri’s Hello. The song has been written by Jalees Sherwani and composed by the musical duo of Sajid-Wajid. Based on the book, One Night at Call Centre, it’ll feature Salman Khan, Sharman Joshi, Sohail Khan, Ishaa Koppikar, Amrita Arora and Gul Panag with special appearances by Katrina Kaif and Arbaaz Khan.
Not far behind from Shafqat are Fuzon and Ali Azmat. And interestingly there is one film that both of them will be featured on and it’s called Mumbai Cutting.
The film, which includes 10 different stories and is being directed by ten different directors, is simply about the city that is Mumbai.
Ali Azmat’s song, ‘Sawal’ is being featured in the portion that has been directed by Rahul Dholakia and according to Ali, it is a dark number.
On the other hand, Fuzon, who last worked with Nagesh Kukunoor on Hyderabad Blues 2, are set to make a comeback in Bollywood. Their single is a ballad and the guys have already shot the video for it in Bombay.
Mumbai Cutting has a massive star cast collectively. The film features Soha Ali Khan, Sonali Kulkarni, Ranvir Shorey, Vinay Pathak, Tejaswini Kohlapuri, Ranvijay, Sushant Singh, Tara Sharma, Sachin Khedekar, Neetu Chandra, Jimmy Shergill, Samreen Zaidi and Palash Sen of the band Euphoria.
And this year, Ali Azmat is not holding back on Bollywood. Besides Mumbai Cutting, He is also working on Sudhir Mishra’s next, Tera Kya Hoga Johnny. This flick has newcomer Neil Nitin Mukesh (Johnny Gaddar fame) and Soha Ali Khan in the lead. But more interesting is the fact that Ali has composed a reggae number for the flick!
Atif Aslam, who last sang for Bollywood flick, Race, is now looking at some projects. According to sources, one offer Atif Aslam is considering has come from Mahesh Bhatt. But right now Atif is still in talks. And if all works out, he will do the song.
Another guy who’s quietly working on an Indian film project is Shiraz Uppal. While Shiraz is keeping mum on the offer, there are some reports that the project is with the mighty AR Rahman. The two have worked once before for the film Nayak so we wouldn’t be surprised.
It is no longer surprising when a Pakistani artist or band cuts a deal in India. It gives them more room to play and gives them mileage and there is no denying it. Awarapan did wonders for Roxen while Call managed to reach a wider range of listeners vis-à-vis ‘Laaree Chootee’.
Rahat Fateh Ali, Strings and Atif Aslam have been able to connect with Indian listeners not just because of their signature music but also because of their projects in Bollywood.
While Strings always play their cards right, others have made mistakes. But now, they are all understanding how to play the game. Atif is no longer just behind vocals. He’s getting the videos too.
And with live music circuit in Pakistan in shambles, literally for the past one year, India is a place that is giving all the musicians a platform and venues to play on.
Without artist management and proper sound arrangements, musicians are increasingly becoming wary of playing at big shows in Pakistan. Vocal distortion, bad lighting and various other problems are wreaking havoc with the whole concept of live shows in Pakistan.
In such a scenario, musicians often have no choice but to look at India as a market. There are a lot more cities, bigger venues and better facilities. And Bollywood plays a big role in bringing listeners closer. With the biggest market share of music, it is Bollwood which paves path for our pop/rock to grow there. Atif Aslam is the biggest example. His ventures in films like Kalyug, Zeher and Bas Ek Pal have made him a huge star in India.
Bollywood also helps with recognition. Plus Pakistani music is fresh and that is one more reason why it is working in India. So here hoping that this year in Bollywood turns out to be hugely successful for all our artists!
A double whammy! 2008 will not only mark the return of Ali Azmat with a new album, but it also marks his return to Bollywood. The first project is a film called Mumbai Cutting while the second film is Sudhir Mishra’s Tera Kya Hoga Johnny, which stars Neil Nitin Mukesh and Soha Ali Khan in pivotal roles
Other than Ali Azmat, Fuzon will also be featured on Mumbai Cutting soundtrack and their single will be a ballad. Meanwhile Call have recorded and shot the single ‘Yeh Pal’ for Bollywood flick Aasman!
In the pipeline: After the massive success of ‘Pehli Nazar’ off Race soundtrack, Atif Aslam is in talks with Mahesh Bhatt for a possible venture in the near future. Shiraz Uppal (below) is also working on a Bollywood project and it might be with maestro A.R. Rahman…
“Music is very spiritual, it has the power to bring people together” — Edgar Winter (musician and writer)
Coke Studio is a project bringing together some of the best traditional and modern-pop musicians on one platform. It is a collaboration where, for the first time, Ali Azmat, Ali Zafar and Strings will be performing alongside Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ustaad Hussain Baksh Gullo.
In a unique synergy of sound, well-established musicians in the modern pop genre such as Gumby (drums), Omran Shafique (lead guitar), Mannu (bass guitar) and Zeeshan Parwez (DJ- turn tables, synthesizer, motion sensor and keyboard) will be playing their music instruments in harmony with Shezi (multi-percussionist), Babar Khanna (dholak) and Abdul Lateef (pure ethnic Balochi percussions), working together to create the music for the performances.
Coke Studio is being produced by Rohail Hyatt.
