Music

“Out of This World”: Salim-Sulaiman Love Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Work

It has been 28 long years since the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan passed away at a relatively young age, leaving his fans from across the world devastated by the loss.

But the great singer’s admirers still remember him in glowing words, including his fans and collaborators from across the border.

Salim-Sulaiman Merchant, the sibling duo who has composed music for many hit Indian films, recounted their experience working with Nusrat in a recent interview.

Told by an audience member that he and his colleagues in office listen to Nusrat when their headphones are on, Salim replied, “He was too good.”

He then went on to recount that though he didn’t remember the year, he worked with Nusrat in Mumbai on Aur Pyar Ho Gaya. “He would have lunch and then start around 4 pm. And then the session would continue till 12 am or 1 am. His style was unique and obviously, his singing was lajawaab.”

At this point Sulaiman chimed in to say that when the duo worked with the iconic singer on the smash hit song Piya Re, his voice was “like a small child’s, full of truth and honesty. He had a very spiritual voice.”

He also said that the qawali king talked to everyone with “a lot of love and respect.”

At this point the host interjected to say that he often imagines Nusrat singing in a huge concert in one of the newer large venues in India. “What an atmosphere that would have been,” he mused.

Also Read: Ajay Devgn Shares Musician’s Apology to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

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Music

“Arijit was trying to sound like Atif,” says Palash Sen on Atif’s influence

Indian singer Palash Sen has praised the lasting influence of Pakistani star Atif Aslam on the Indian music industry, saying that the singer’s unique voice and style inspired a generation of male vocalists, including Arijit Singh during the early phase of his career.

Speaking during a recent interview with an Indian television channel, Sen said that many singers who came after Atif tried to follow his style of singing.

“If you look closely, almost every singer who came after Atif tried to sing like him. Even the biggest singer in our country today, Arijit Singh—if you listen to his earlier songs, he was also trying to sound like Atif. Later, he developed a style of his own,” Sen said.

Sen explained that this type of influence often appears in the music industry whenever a powerful voice changes the direction of popular singing.

“In the same way, there was a time when singers like Kumar Sanu and Abhijeet were influenced by legends like Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar. Influential singers always have a strong impact, and many people try to become like them. Their influence is very powerful,” he added.

Atif Aslam remains one of the most successful singers to emerge from Pakistan and gain massive popularity in India and across South Asia.

He first rose to fame in the early 2000s with the song “Aadat”, composed with the band Jal, which quickly became a mega hit among young listeners.

His career in Bollywood grew rapidly after he lent his voice to several popular songs. Some of his most well known tracks include “Tera Hone Laga Hoon” from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, “Pehli Nazar Mein” from Race, “Tu Jaane Na” from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, “Jeene Laga Hoon” from Ramaiya Vastavaiya, and “Dil Diyan Gallan” from Tiger Zinda Hai.

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.