Music

Faris Shafi Opens Up About His Lyrics, Idols, and Personal Life

It is pretty hard to find rappers or lyricists in the Pakistani music business that write from the heart and express their thoughts in a way that everyone can understand. Some Pakistani rappers have raised the standard for hip-hop culture, while others have rebuilt it.

Faris Shafi stands out from the rest of the pack with his classic songs and lyrics that portray the grim realities. He’s been putting out a staggering amount of music, and it’s made everyone pay attention and actually listen.

It’s safe to say that his songs include a fair amount of vulgarity, but they also contain a lot of truth. Maybe this is why it took him decades to head into the mainstream music world and the other half know who is Faris Shafi.

Faris got em all debating.

Faris Shafi recently went down for an interview and was brutally honest about his artistic career.

Faris Shafi just made his Coke Studio debut and has since released two songs to praise.
Is there a certain moment when you first began to compose music? Are you a fan of any particular kind of music?

‘I suppose the intention began very, very early,’ Faris Shafi said. As you know, mimicking stuff from other rap songs. My first exposure to hip-hop music was around the age of seven or eight, and since then I’ve been trying to find out how I can connect with it.”

The interviewer then inquired, “Which artist’s music had the most influence on you?” he said. “I’ve been trying to keep it a secret for a long time. However, it seems that this is something that everyone is curious about. Snoop Dog’s record was the first one I found.Since the name of the record is so inappropriate, I doubt I can even take the name.

Nobody under the age of 21 would have been able to enjoy any of the songs on the record, and I’m not sure how I ended up with it. Then the greats, Eminem, a lot of Tupac, and a lot of Biggie, began to emerge. That was the beginning of my exploration into the discographies of certain artists, rather than a wide variety. Even today, I’ve memorised all of their songs.
And it was those trying experiences as a kid that shaped my approach to handling situations. Even if the phrase “hip hop saved my life” is an old one, I understand precisely what it means.

Faris Shafi chuckled when the journalist raised the obvious question about the usage of foul language in his rap music. Is that so?” For me, I’m just interested in the kind of work I’d want to do. My heroes did the same for me, and it saved my life.

His social media presence is limited to Instagram, which he seldom updates. Faris Shafi is a low-profile artist. There aren’t any transcripts of any of the interviews available.

The interviewer asked, where does that come from?

For a variety of reasons, this is the case. What’s a good place to begin? Famous people were nothing new. Most people only learn about the dark side of fame after they’ve already attained it, so this wasn’t news to me.

As far as I can see, you’re going to have troubles after you get home. Fame for one’s job is something I appreciate. If the work becomes well known, I don’t want to be a part of it. Of course, I’m grateful for the recognition; after all, the job we do deserves it.
This is also reflected in the way I approach my job. If I write a song about drugs, violence, or addiction. It doesn’t imply that I’m always doing these activities. It’s difficult to get into the spoken word industry since people tend to link your words to you.

Faris wrapped off the conversation with a reference to his most recent tune, Muaziz Saarif, in answer to the last question. In your country, how did people react? In his words, seeing my sister and I together is a wonderful thing for our mother. It’s wonderful, but it’s not a surprise to me at all. A lot more could be done.

This is just the beginning. We’ve just scratched the surface here.

Music

Goher Mumtaz drops ‘Har Saal’ with Aima Baig

Goher Mumtaz has returned to the music scene with a relaxed new single titled ‘Har Saal’, featuring singer Aima Baig in a first-time standalone collaboration.

The song marks a notable moment for Mumtaz, as it also brings his band Jal into the project. Written and composed by Mumtaz himself, ‘Har Saal’ carries a breezy, pop-driven sound that prioritises chemistry over grandeur.

The announcement was understated yet effective, with Mumtaz sharing a simple Instagram caption that read: “Aima Baig x Goher Mumtaz x JAL.”

The accompanying music video, produced under Goher Mumtaz Productions, avoids spectacle and instead focuses on intimacy and creative ease.

It opens with Mumtaz seated at a keyboard, experimenting with a tune that he soon abandons in visible mild frustration.

He then switches to his guitar, a familiar space for the Jal frontman, signalling a return to comfort and creative flow. At that precise moment, Aima Baig enters the frame, mid orange juice pour, effortlessly joining the melody with approval.

From there, the video unfolds into a series of warm exchanges, showing the two artists singing and jamming together naturally. Two weeks before the official release, the duo offered fans a glimpse into the project through a short teaser trailer.

Mumtaz rose to fame in the early 2000s as the guitarist and vocalist of the iconic band Jal, known for hits like “Aadat” and “Sajni.” Following the band’s split, he launched a successful solo career with albums such as Uraanand popular singles including “Chup,” while also establishing himself as a music composer and producer for television and film.

Music

Zayn Malik has revealed the title of his upcoming fifth album: ‘KONNAKOL’

Zayn Malik has officially announced his fifth studio album, KONNAKOL, marking a powerful return ten years after his solo debut reshaped global pop and R&B.

The former One Direction star confirmed the project following a seven-night Las Vegas residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM.

Between January 20 and 31, Zayn treated fans to five previously unheard tracks, offering an intimate first look at his next musical chapter. While the full album arrives later this year, lead track ‘Die for Me’ drops this Friday, building early momentum around the release.

KONNAKOL is scheduled to launch on April 17 through Republic Records, and the album is now available for pre-order. In a statement accompanying the announcement, Zayn said: “It’s that time again, I have been lucky enough to make a fifth studio album.”

The singer also revealed the record signals a return to the R&B-led sound that defined his early solo success.

At the same time, KONNAKOL introduces South Asian musical influences, reflecting Zayn’s heritage and personal creative evolution. For British South Asian fans, the shift feels especially meaningful, blending contemporary R&B with cultural elements rarely centred in mainstream Western pop.

Renowned photographer Nabil Elderkin shot artwork for the album. It features Zayn’s blurred face alongside a snow leopard, a symbol closely associated with South Asia.

The striking imagery appeared throughout his Las Vegas shows, offering audiences an early visual reference to the new era.

During the residency, Zayn spoke candidly to fans about returning to the studio.

He told the crowd, “I’ve been in the studio a little bit. I got a new record coming for you guys pretty soon.” He added, “I’m really excited about that. I’ll be playing some songs tonight for the first time. For you guys.”

Across the dates, Zayn premiered ‘Used to the Blues’, ‘Fatal’, ‘Die for Me’, and two untitled tracks. One standout moment came with ‘Fatal’, which features Urdu lyrics.

It marks the first time Zayn has incorporated his native language beyond brief phrases, signalling a deeper embrace of his roots. For many South Asian listeners, the move represents a long-awaited moment of cultural visibility from one of pop’s biggest global stars.

Zayn has described KONNAKOL as a continuation of Mind of Mine, his debut solo album, which debuted at number one in the United States.

Music

After a 10-year break, singer Ali Haider returns with a new song

Singer Ali Haider has returned to the music scene with his new single “Ijazat,” concluding a hiatus that lasted nearly ten years.

The song was released over the weekend and quickly gained traction across platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

Audiences have commended its soft arrangement and the recognizable warmth of Haider’s voice.

Many dedicated fans have expressed that the track evokes the emotional sincerity that characterized Pakistan’s lively pop music scene in the 1990s.

Haider shared a direct message with listeners online, stating: “Hello friends, ‘Ijazat’ song is here for you. We tried to give you the best sound. Me and my team would be glad if you like this effort.”

The music video for the song was shot and produced in Houston, Texas.

Many who watched it appreciated the high-quality visuals, refined performances, and understated narrative approach.

They described the project not as a mere throwback but as an authentic and thoughtful artistic comeback.

Fans enthusiastically filled comment sections, noting how inspiring it was to see Ali Haider actively making music again.

The return carries particular weight given that the artist had been mostly away from mainstream music for almost a full decade.

This reappearance follows earlier personal reflections in which Haider spoke openly about the challenging circumstances that led him to step back from both Pakistan and his music career.

Many now feel this comeback may pave the way for new releases, potential collaborations, and even live performances in the future.