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Chat with the Pakistani singer-songwriter who is in town promoting his new track.
Photo: KT/Rahul Gajjar
“I am a firm believer that excessive ego is something one should pay close attention to. When you are adored by millions and have a huge following, success has the potential to hit your head and you can lose confidence in your life, your control of your relationships and everything you work for.”
This is the confession of an artist who tasted great success at the age of 16, was loved all over the world, his songs quickly became national anthems and were signed by labels left and right.
In a short period of time Asim Azhar has become the face of music producers, filmmakers and brand managers among others. But when you talk to him, he comes across as a boy-next-door who is grateful for all he has achieved; The run may soon be over. He said, “In today’s time, you’re as good as your last project, so I don’t take my fame for granted. I don’t have time for distractions.”
what keeps asim sane
But for me, it’s important to understand how a well-known artist with millions of followers can stay sane. As someone who is used to noise, applause and cheers around the clock, does the silence scare him?Almost immediately Asim replied, “Absolutely not. In fact, I make sure I do nothing during the day but spend an hour in silence, away from the noisy. It keeps me awake. That’s my time to connect with myself, my thoughts, and it has become an anchor for how my day goes. “
His new single ‘Habibi’, promoted in Dubai, has broken records and topped the charts. With platforms like TikTok and YouTube currently dominating Pakistan, Asim’s new song is resonating in India too. Singer-rapper Badshah took time out to sneak into Asim’s private message, praising the song. He wrote, “Tripped by Habibie! Bro, what a song you sing, great melody.”
According to Asim, the song is about “there should be no ego between two people who love each other”. “There’s no harm in apologizing first because it just makes you a better person. There will always be disagreements and arguments, but it’s okay to say sorry first,” he explained.
Inspired by that, I asked him the same questions that every rock star I meet asks. Do artists, especially singers, need to go through heartbreak to become better singers or performers?
“I don’t think it’s a prerequisite for a good poem or a good melody,” he claims. The best breakup songs I’ve ever sung, like “Tera Woh Pyar” And “Tarasti hai nigahein” from my happiest time. I would say not just a romantic relationship, any relationship can help you become a better artist. My observation and imagination help me sing songs like this with ease. I don’t have to experience heartbreak firsthand to be impactful. “
Protect intellectual property
In light of the recent controversy over Pakistani singer-songwriter Abrar-ul-Haq’s song ‘Nach Punjaban’ being used in the Bollywood film ‘JugJugg Jeeyo’, we asked Asim what steps he is taking to ensure his work remains his own knowledge property.
He explained, “For any artist, the measure of success is that his work crosses borders and touches the hearts of millions of people around the world, and only good music has the power to do that. Having said that, music or song Also you put out a product for public consumption and keep it for yourself, obviously there is some risk. Artists today have to understand the legal aspects and have to protect their work with contracts and copyright. I have a team that makes sure my songs Get a license to avoid any potential abuse. I would also like to take this opportunity to urge all artists to hire a legal advisor who will ensure that your content is legally safe and, despite being on a public platform, remains your property .”
Asim is not only a singer, but also a composer and songwriter. So is he also facing a writing bottleneck? Asim recalls the time of the pandemic, when suddenly the whole world came to a standstill. “I just didn’t have the energy to write or compose. There were no musical scenes happening and no engagements like that. It really made me realize that in order for me to be a better son, partner or friend, I really need to create something stuff, but that didn’t happen at the time.
“I kept my faith and I knew it was a phase and it would pass. I told myself that day that I would never write or try to compose under pressure. Now I let it flow and when it comes, I would get goosebumps. I can’t explain the sudden urge my body feels when an idea flashes to me and I capture it. And then I’m just there capping my pen, knowing that’s it. This is going to be my song. And ‘Habibi’ is the product of this process.”
classic playlist
Finally, we asked him to show us what his playlist looked like. It is indeed surprising to see him adore the icons of a bygone era. Asim shared: “I grew up listening to good music. Be it Mehdi Hassan or Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan or pop icons like Nazia and Zoheb Hassan. I don’t have a specific go-to list because my playlist is a mix Disk, it doesn’t stick to any genre. But I’m a huge fan of Mohammed Rafi and Noor Jehan. I think they’re institutions and they’ve left a legacy that will immortalize them.”
Sadiq Saleem is an Emirati writer who can be reached on his Instagram @sadiqidas
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