Founder of Pop Music in Pakistan

Nazia and Zoheb (Urdu: نازیہ اور زوہیب) were a Pakistani pop group from Karachi, Sindh formed in 1980. The group was composed of two siblings, Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan, who were a singing sensation and pop icons in Pakistan and all of South Asia. They were also regarded as pioneers of the Pakistani pop music scene during the 1980s. Nazia and Zoheb are also one of the most successful groups in Pakistan which sold more than 100 million albums worldwide , making them one of the world's best-selling music artists.

The group initially gained prominence from their music single "Aap Jaisa Koi" first featured as a soundtrack for the Indian film Qurbani. The song was also part of the group's debut album Disco Deewane released in 1981 by Indian producer Biddu. The album was the best selling album in all over Asia at that time and it also changed trends of music in Pakistan and was the first South Asian album that was also a hit in Brazil, Russia, South Africa and Indonesia. The duo released their second album Boom Boom in 1982 which was also the soundtrack for the Bollywood movie Star, based on the life of both the brother and sister. After two years the band recorded their critically acclaimed Young Tarang (1984) which is the first video album release in Pakistan. The video album sold 40 million copies worldwide and became the highest selling video album. Nazia and Zoheb released their fourth studio album, Hotline (1987), which featured the duo's younger sister, Zahra Hassan, on tracks "Soja" and "Telephone Pyar". The group released their last studio album Camera Camera in 1992, which was also the first album produced by Zoheb Hassan.

Before the release of their fifth studio album, Nazia and Zoheb announced during a launching ceremony that it would be their last album. The album did not achieved the same success as the previous releases did and only received average reaction from critics. After the album's release, Nazia left her singing career to focus on her personal life. Zoheb went on to pursue his career as a solo artist and released his debut album Kismat in 2006.

History

Early years (1975-1981)

Nazia and Zoheb spent their childhood in Karachi as well as London. In late 1970s, both siblings attended and sang at "Sang Sang Chalien" and "Kaliyon Ke Mala", famous musical shows for children hosted by the music maestro Sohail Rana. Ironically, in the early days Zoheb was not so interested in music at all. He used to shy away from TV shows. According to him when it was time to record a show he would hide behind a sofa. But his mother convinced him to accompany Nazia to the children's TV show. Later he developed a keen interest in playing guitar and requested famous musician Alamgir to give him guitar lessons. In the mid 1970s Nazia and Zoheb's family shifted to London and both continued music but only as a hobby.

It the early part of 1980 the duo's father invited Indian actors Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman and Feroz Khan to a dinner while they were in London shooting the film Qurbani. Feroz Khan, who was also the producer of the film, inquired who the guitar in the corner of the dining room belonged. Zoheb promptly answered it was his. He asked Zoheb to play a number. He did so accompanied by Nazia on vocals. Feroz Khan were extremely impressed with the talent of duo and since he required a female vocalist for his film he asked Nazia if she would play back for Zeenat Aman. Luckily their parents agreed and hence a new kind of music never heard before in the sub-continent was introduced what is now Asian pop. Nazia's number "Aap Jaisa Koi" broke all records as the fastest and highest selling record of all time not only in the sub-continent but in all of Asia. The song was a huge success in India and despite Nazia being a Pakistani, she gained overnight fame there. In 1981, Nazia won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Award for the single "Aap Jaisa Koi"

Breakthrough era (1981-1983)

After the success of the song "Aap Jaisa Koi", the film Qurbani became a hit in India and Nazia Hassan along with her brother Zoheb Hassan went on to collaborate with Biddu, a UK based Indian music producer; who also composed the song "Aap Jaisa Koi", on numerous other projects. Nazia became the first playback singer to release a studio album when she and her brother released their debut album Disco Deewane on April 3, 1981. The album broke record sales in Pakistan and India and even topped the charts in the West Indies, Latin America and Russia. This particular album is credited as pioneering the pop culture in the sub continent, outselling international albums such as Saturday Night Fever.

The sales from the group's debut album were over 14 million from all over the world. The album release made both the siblings established musicians in Pakistan. Nazia and Zoheb were called in for an interview by the BBC. Their interview went this way: "This is BBC News from London. Welcome to BBC News Today. We have with us a teenage duo by the name of Nazia and Zoheb from Pakistan, who not only rock the music scene back home but have also revolutionized the Asian Music scene by introducing Asian pop. Their album Disco Deewane has sold over 14 million records, not only in Asia, but, also in far off regions in South America, South Africa and Russia. So tell me Nazia and Zoheb, what is the secret of your success?"

“Well, I don’t know, I think the reason is, we never copied anyone and we've always tried to come up with original music that young people can identify with and above all simply because we do what we enjoy the most,” came the reply from Nazia.

Nazia Hassan recorded some videos in London for her album. She also recorded the English version of the single "Disco Deewane", named "Dreamer Deewane" for the UK charts. The group's debut album became the first Pakistani album to appear on the UK charts.

After the release of their debut album, Nazia and Zoheb were offered by Biddhu to act in the Bollywood movie Star, based on the life of both the brother and sister, but they refused to act and chose singing. On December 31, 1982, the group released their second studio album Boom Boom and was the soundtrack for the film. Nazia made an appearance in the film, singing the film's title song, "Boom Boom". Although the film did do well at the box office, the album was an instant success and lead to increasingly popularity of the pop duo in Pakistan and India.

The song "Nigahoon Say Duur" from the film, sung by Nazia and composed by Biddu, was not included in the album. Whereas, "Khushi (Teri Hai Meri Khushi)" was included in the album but was not featured in the film. All the songs from the album were declared super hit and got a strong position at the local music charts. "Boom Boom" topped the charts internationally. Nazia and Zoheb's second album became the first Pakistani album to have surround quality and Dolby effects.

Continued success (1983-1989)

Nazia and Zoheb released their third full length studio album Young Tarang on December 24, 1984. The album was composed and produced by Biddhu. It was the first album in Pakistan to feature music videos. The album sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and set the record of being the most selling video album of all time.

When both the duo were working on their third studio album, they decided to come up with some new idea. The idea was to produce an album containing music videos. It was totally a different thing in Sub Continent to make the music videos of songs as they were technically so high of cost and expensive. The duo went to directors like John King and Amit Khanna, Amit was famous for his film Sheeshe Ka Ghar in that era, who directed the music videos of the singles "Zara Chera Tu Dekhao", "Sunn" & "Dosti". Four music videos were shot in London, United Kingdom. Amit & John also worked on "Pyar Ka Jadu", "Dum Dum Dede", "Ankhien Milane Wale" & "Aag".

In 1984, Nazia and Zoheb also hosted a television programme called "Young Tarang Show". In 1985, the duo acted in the PTV, Pakistan state television, show "Aap Ke Liye". On November 24, 1987, Nazia and Zoheb released their fourth studio album Hotline. This album was the last album on which the group worked with the Indian producer Biddu. The album featured the duo's younger sister, Zahra Hassan, on tracks "Soja" and "Telephone Pyar".

By the end of the 1980s, Nazia and Zoheb became the most popular pop group of Pakistan. In 1988, Nazia and her brother Zoheb appeared with music maestro Sohail Rana in his television program, "Sung Sung". In the following year, Nazia and Zoheb hosted the groundbreaking show "Music '89". The show was produced by Shoaib Mansoor. It was the first-ever all pop-music stage show airing on television. The show launched the careers of many new rising bands and singers and became a popular show in Pakistan. The show was aired during the reign of General Zia-ul-Haq, Nazia and Zoheb hosted the most highly watched and controversial music ever broadcast on Pakistani television. The reason for its success was that it gave the youth of Pakistan a voice and an opportunity to express themselves in an era that was highly religious and culturally stunted. The programme "Music '89" a show which was watched more than an international cricket match catapulted at that time relatively new acts such as Vital Signs, Jupiters, Ali Azmat, etc. to instant recognition. Nazia Hassan also hosted another show, "Dhanak" on PTV in the same year, 1989.

Retirement (1990-1995)

In 1991, Nazia and Zoheb recorded their fifth studio album, Camera Camera. Before the album's release, Nazia and Zoheb announced that it would be their last album during a launching ceremony held in Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi, Sindh. On May 24, 1992, the duo released their last album composed and produced by Zohaib Hassan and Bappi Lahri. It was not successful like the group's previous albums and received average reaction from critics. In this album Nazia sung a Punjabi song “Tali Thay Thale” which ruled the music world in Pakistan just like before when "Aap Jaisa Koi" was released 12 years ago. This song was composed by Mian Sallahudin Yousaf and Zoheb Hassan. The album as an overall was a huge hit in Indonesia and Pakistan. The album also proved to be In the last album of Zoheb Hassan with his sister Nazia Hassan, due to Nazia's health concerns was geared to propagate an anti narcotics campaign with songs like "Nasha Na Karo". This album topped the charts in Indonesia, outselling George Michael. Zoheb Hassan's blockbusters like 'Wala Wai' and 'Kyun' proved his vocal versatility.

After the album's release, Nazia left her singing career to focus on her personal life. The composer of her albums, Biddu had composed a song, Made in India and wanted Nazia to sing in it but the retired Nazia refused to sing a song that may offend Pakistan. After Nazia's refusal, the song was offered to Alisha Chinai, who accepted the offer and marked the birth of Indipop. In 1995, Nazia went on to marry and decide not to sing again. Zoheb went on to handling his father's extensive business in Pakistan and the UK. He was also appointed Advisor to Governor Sindh for the Image Promotion of the Province of Sindh.

Nazia's death and beyond (2000-2002)

Nazia died of lung cancer in London on August 13, 2000 at the age of 35. She was admitted to North Finchley Hospice three days earlier when her condition deteriorated. She showed signs of mild recovery the day before she passed away and it was thought that doctors would allow her to go home. But early Sunday morning, her mother, Muneeza Hasan, was called to the hospital where her daughter had started coughing heavily at around 9:15am. She died within minutes. Nazia is buried at the Muslim Hendon Cemetery in London.

On Saturday, March 9, 2002 at the Nazia Hassan Tribute Concert, held in Karachi, the classic lineup of Vital Signs performed together on stage—for the first time in almost 7 years. The concert was attended by an enthusiastic audience and it was their original line-up which went up on stage, a line-up that had not played together ever since mid-1990, but still stole the show. The Vital Signs, reunited for a nostalgic 30-minute-stint at the high-profile Nazia Hassan Tribute Concert. The band realized that though a whole new generation of pop fans has grown up and their brand of pop music is still well remembered. After the Nazia Tribute Concert, the pop industry was rife with speculations that the Vital Signs were set to record their long-awaited fifth album but these speculations were denied by the band. On March 23, 2002 the Government of Pakistan has conferred upon Nazia Hassan the highest civilian award Pride of Performance. The award was presented to Mrs. Muniza Basir, mother of Nazia Hassan, by the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf in an official ceremony held at Islamabad.

In 2003, Nazia's family established a charitable organization named after her. The organization was established in continuation of her life long charitable and social efforts to make the world a better place to live in for all irrespective of colour, creed or religion.

Her brother Zohaib Hassan help set up a charity foundation named after her to help in creating support systems for children in need as well as providing homes for them. The foundation also sponsors awards in recognition of individuals who promote greater harmony between cultures. The recipients of these awards will be selected from all fields ranging from music and the arts to science, sport, business, engineering, humanities and charitable work, politics, etc. The Nazia Hassan Foundation seeks to promote fusion between different cultures, traditions and beliefs.

(2006)

Zoheb Hassan acted in the drama serial "Kismat" in 2006 and released his solo album of the same title in 2006. This article contains official information and all the information has been confirmed by Nazia & Zoheb's Family.

Legacy

Pakistan's vibrant contemporary music scene owes itself to Nazia Hassan's redefinition of pop. In fact, the biggest nineties bands including the Vital Signs and the Jupiters got a platform on "Music '89". Nazia also had a seismic impact in India. She has contributed to the development of the present isomorphism of Bollywood music and pop: “She set - well ahead of its time - the personal album trend in India”, spawning the likes of Alisha Chinai, Lucky Ali and Shweta Shetty. After the huge success of their music, Nazia and Zoheb were signed by EMI Group and were the first South Asian singers to be signed by an international music company.

Besides music, Nazia and Zoheb has the honour of starting a noble trend of working for the under privileged and poor. All their money earned from music was spent for charity. Both the brother and sister supported the “Inner Wheel Club” of India to help with funds for them. In Pakistan, an organization “BAN” for fighting against the curse of narcotics was established. Nazia and her brother belonged to many charity organizations and worked with their mother Muniza Basir in the low income areas of Karachi to help the needy and sick. Nazia and Zoheb worked with Javed Jabbar, former Information Minister, to raise funds for children in Rajasthan. Nazia Hassan went to a very large number of schools to collect toys for the poor children and gave talks on the subject of social awareness for the under privileged. Nazia never forgot the love and support of all the schools and always spoke with great affection for them. The worthy staff and the students of St Joseph’s Convent School, Mama Parsi School and many others had gone out of their way to help the cause.

Surprisingly, music was only a hobby for Nazia and though her achievements in this field were any one’s dream come true, she lived away from the glitzy world and led a secluded and simple life. She completed her education in the UK, got a law degree and then worked in the United Nations in the Security Council. Nazia continued her social work even in New York and worked for children from the UN platform.

Nazia Hassan is known to be the "Sweetheart of Pakistan" and today is still the symbol of grace, sacred beauty and innocence and is frequently compared to Princess Diana as she was known to possess a heart of gold. Nazia and Zoheb both spent their teenage lives between Karachi and London.