Biography Wikipedia
Wikipedia:
Najam Sheraz (Urdu: نجم شیراز) is a Pakistani pop singer, [song writer,music producer], composer and a peace activist. Najam Sheraz is an international singer/songwriter, composer and peace activist with 10 albums and numerous hits, such as Bollywood chart busters “Bheegay Hont Tere(Murder)’’ and Tere Bina(Shaapit) “Tera Hi Bas Hona Chahoon(Haunted 3D).”
For the last 15 years he has been touring, performing for huge audiences around the world, and an entire generation has grown up listening to his songs. He is known for his spirited and powerhouse vocals, and for songs that create social awareness.
Sheraz’s first Urdu nasheed(Spiritual a cappella), the best seller “Na Tera Khuda Koi Aur Hae,” changed his perspective about life; consequently, he has dedicated his voice to uniting people for peace and brotherhood. He is the official singer and producer of the national anthem of Pakistan, and has represented the country at events like the Beijing Olympics, SAF games and international cricket events.
He has appeared on numerous documentaries and talk shows discussing domestic and international social issues, and was part of an important documentary on Islam by BBC World, Battle for Islam, as a voice for peace. In the past decade, he has been invited to world peace concerts and conferences, such as 2005-2010 Global Peace and Unity Event in London with Yousaf Islam, Jermaine Jackson and Imran Khan, 2008 World Peace for Life Concert in Los Angeles with Christina Applegate and Michael Beckwith, 2005 Reviving the Spirit of Islam in Toronto along with Sami Yousaf, and 2011 ISNA in Chicago, along with renowned singers of peace. For his services to the community on the platform of he was presented two congressional awards in 2006 and 2007 in the USA. He is also the goodwill ambassador for ANF (Anti Narcotics Force) of Pakistan. His powerful “Hum Bolain Mohabbat Ki Zuban” was used as the ‘’Face of Pakistan’’ on CNN World by the Pakistan government. . Currently he is working on his first English spiritual album in Canada and promoting his world peace song “Only Love,” co-written with hit songwriter Chris Eaton (number 1s for Cliff Richard and Janet Jackson).
“I believe that the Muslim world and the West both have a lot to share and offer, so it’s vital to develop common grounds and evolve together for a better and peaceful future for our children for generations to come.” - Najam Sheraz
History
Najam Sheraz was born in Multan, Pakistan on August 2, 1969. A natural sportsman, he played professional cricket with cricketing legends such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, and Mushtaq Ahmed. He is graduate of University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore where he studied and graduate in B. Tech. in civil engineering. He formed his first band with his elder brothers Booby (Dr. Zubair Adnan in Rawalpindi Pakistan) and Joji (Salman Nadeem in Brampton, ON, Canada) called Brother Rhythm in 1987. Both brothers till date seriously consider themselves better, more sophisticated music lovers and musicians than the much famous younger brother.
His second band came together in 1989. Wet Metal was at that time considered the best live band in the circuit. Performing in almost 1,000 shows all over the country, Najam Sheraz established himself as one of the strongest voices on stage. He has given a mega hit Bheegay Hont Tere(Menu tere Naal) to Bollywood who back then changed the style of music in the Bollywood films in a big way for Mahesh Bhatt's film Murder. Bheegay Hont Tere also put an end to stealing songs from across the border after a long time. Vishesh films signed a contract with Najam Sheraz on his request to make it a legal transaction between the two parties though it was originally used in the movie without his permission.Najam sheraz is also responsible for introducing Atif Aslam to vishesh films to get him his first break Wo Lamhae Bheegay Hont Tere opened the gate for Pakistani music and singers in the Bollywood films in a major way
He was signed by Frankfinn Music later for his upcoming album to be produced in the UK. He also sang and composed for the new Vikram Bhatt's Movie Shaapit, titled "TERE BINA JIYA NA JAYE" in 2011 set up a production company Coconut Island and produced/arranged two songs for Vikram Bhatt's Haunted 3D Sau Baras and Tera Hee Bas Hona chahoon
Solo career
In December 1993 the band members parted ways and Najam Sheraz began working on his solo career. His first solo single, 'In Sae Nain', was released in September 1994. It was an instant hit, selling more than 300,000 copies nationwide. 'Sohna Chata Hoon' his second single, received critical acclaim with its release in March 1995. It was soon followed by the release of his first solo album 'Khazana' in February 1996 and the video release of 'Larki', which brought him to the forefront of the musical mainstream. 'Khazana' sold a million copies, supported by the videos 'Aajana' 'Yeh Baat Kise Maloom Nahin' and 'Pyar Ki Piyas'. This album took Najam on his first foreign tour to Bahrain where he achieved huge success.
The lyrics of the song "Pyar Ki Pyas" were penned by Tahir Gul Hasan for a pop band named Wet Metal that had Najam Sheraz as the lead singer. The music was composed, played (except the lead guitar), recorded and mixed by Tahir at his own studios: Sound On Sound, Karachi.
Wet Metal's entire album's lyrics, music and recording came from Tahir Gul Hasan but the group disbanded before the album was finished. In 1993, "Pyar Ki Piyas" became the band's first single on TV. Najam Sheraz would later use "Pyar Ki Pyas" in his successful studio album: Khazana. For more details read "Pyar Ki Piyas (پیاس کی پیار):
His next project was an experimental album, an eastern classical-rock fusion called 'Rakh Aas' with the band Karavan in November 1997.
His second solo album, 'Roop Nagar', was released in 1999 in Pakistan. Its first video release, 'Pal Do Pal Ki Chahat', was the first 35 mm music video to ever be produced in Pakistan. Najam was instantly signed by Pepsi Cola International in Pakistan and BMG-Cresendo in India. This album took him on his first North American tour to more than 10 cities. He also performed in Kuwait, where he was the first ever live act from Pakistan, and was especially well received.He has worked intensively in Europe and India with frequent visits to North America as well. His song for Anti Narcotics Force in 2006 became the Force's anthem and he has been acclaimed as an Ambassador-at-large by the ANF for his work with youth and deprived classes.
Breakout
Sheraz's first international release in 2000 was 'Pal Do Pal Ki Chahat'. In the same year, 20th Century Fox launched the film Split Wide Open. Sheraz's song 'Mera Jee Nahin Laage' was included on the soundtrack along with Air Supply, Asha Bhosle and Garbage. With this achievement, Najam Sheraz became the second Pakistani artist after Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to be included on the soundtrack of an international film.
In February 2000, Sheraz released his first Punjabi album, 'Pyar Karannu Dil Karda', which produced hits like 'Pyar Karannu Dil Karda', 'Rabba', and 'Kajla'.
In February 2002 he released his fifth album, 'Jaisay Chaho Jiyo', which produced hits like 'Jaisay Chaho Jiyo', 'Ahista Ahista' and the huge success 'Aao Wahan Chalen'.
The Cricket World Cup of 2003 saw the success of 'Jeeto Mere Laal', which was also dedicated to the Pakistani Blind Cricket World Cup Champions.
In the Ramadan of 2002, the hamd 'Yeh Mamla Koi Aur Hai' became a major hit. The intensity and spirit of the song became so popular that it precedes every concert performance and audiences of every age and creed join voices in its recitation.
On 14 August 2003 saw the launch of 'Hamari Pehchan' and 'Gillay Shikway Sub Bhula Do'. 'Hamari Pehchan' was directed towards raising nationalistic spirit, whereas 'Gillay Shikway Sub Bhula Do' focused on reuniting towards peace and brotherhood.
'Shahpar', a song about the Pakistan Air Force, was released on 6 September 2003.
The Ramadan of 2003 saw the release of the album 'Yeh Mamla Koi Aur Hai'. Its release was imminent due to the success of the single of the same name in 2002. It included other naats such as 'Rahain Bhatakne Walay', 'In Fizaon Sae Aage', 'Gillay Shikway Sub Bhula Do', 'Shahpar', 'Aae Watan Pyare Watan', Allama Iqbal's 'Lab Pae Aati Hai Dua' and 'Kar Liya Sauda'.