Birth Name
Atif Aslam
NicknameAadee
Biography
Atif Aslam is a Pakistani musician. He was born in Wazirabad, Gujranwala, Punjab, pakistan and educated in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Working together, the pair recorded the song Aadat. It became popular on different musical websites in Pakistan. The song was also played on such Pakistani radio stations as FM100 and FM105. The music video for Aadat was shot one day in a warehouse in Karachi. Due to personal problems in the band, Atif Aslam left Jal and became solo.
Atif Aslam's soulful voice crossed the Pakistani border and reached India when Bollywood director Mahesh Bhatt called Atif Aslam to seek his consent to put "Woh Lamhey" as a song in the soundrack of his new motion picture, Zeher. After that, Atif Aslam's music spread across to people and radio stations that play it all over the subcontinent now.
Early life and education
Atif Aslam was born in 1983 in Wazirabad, Gujranwala, Pakistan. His kindergarten started in Model town, Lahore at Kimberley Hall School, where he studied from grade one to three. His first stage performance was in a fancy dress show at his school when he was in first grade, where he performed as Imran Khan (former captain of the Pakistani Cricket Team). Since then cricket was a passion for him. At that time he did not listen to any particular kind of songs.
At the age of 9, he moved to Rawalpindi and studied at Saint Paul's Cambridge School from grade four to eight. He came back to Lahore in 1995 where he continued his studies in Divisional Public School, Model Town, Lahore. He was selected in his school cricket team as a bowler. He cleared his tenth grade at the age of 14 with a distinctive edge of always being the youngest boy in the class because of his double promotions. During that period he put his best efforts into becoming a professional cricketer.[citation needed] He passed out of Divisional Public School after completing his matriculation.
He further continued his education at PAF College, Lahore where he completed his F.Sc (Pre-engineering) with the class of 2001. He used to be the main attack bowler of his college cricket team and represented his college in various other cities and ultimately got selected in under 19 National cricket team of Pakistan. He won his first singing competition on Independence Day celebrations in the college. He then went to the University of Central Punjab and completed his Bachelors in Computer Science.
Music career
Jal
He used to sing at the college canteen when his friends urged him to participate in the singing competition on Independence Day celebrations at PAF College Lahore in 1998. He performed there and won the competition. Thereafter, he also won several other college competitions.
He met Goher- a guitarist who became his future Jal band-mate, at his college. Together they practiced and started doing mini-concerts for their friends. Atif used to perform on the songs of Junoon and Strings at these concerts. They started performing in their college, McDonalds, Uncle Bubba's Rabba Dabba and other restaurants. Thus began the original line up of Jal.
Jal recorded their first song Aadat at Mekal Hassan's Studio. The song became popular on different musical websites in Pakistan and was also aired on major radio stations of Pakistan like City FM 89, FM 100, Mast FM 103, FM 105 etc. The video for this song was released on ARY Digital and The Musik and then it was played on almost all the channels.
Solo career
After leaving Jal due to personal differences, Atif released his first solo album, Jal Pari on 19 July 2004, under Sound Master and IC records. Its promoters declared it to be the best selling album of that year within just 5 months of its release.[2] Besides his native country, he also became popular in India and his career took off to fame in both the countries. In the meantime he also cleared his Bachelors in Computer Science (Hons.) from the University of Central Punjab. His second album, Doorie was released on 22 December 2006.
His first major concert was at Al Hamra Hall, Mall Road Lahore where he performed during the break of a stage drama Moulin Rouge. On 14 April 2007, Atif performed in Royal Albert Hall. His first international concert was at W. StarDreamz Entertainment Group during his tour of USA and Canada with RDB and Annie.
Atif's fourth album Shabnam will be released in October 2010.
Atif also mentioned in a press conference held in Karachi that he will be working on an international project titled The Dreamer Awakes, alongside American rock band Guns n' Roses. The song will be released in Summer 2011.
Bollywood
Atif has also sung many songs for Bollywood films, like Pehli Nazar Mein in Race, Tere Bin in Bas Ek Pal, Bakuda Tum Hi Ho in Kismat Konnection, Tera Hone Laga Hoon and Tu Jaane Na in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, both of which have been very well-received by the Indian audience.
His last Indian venture was Prince in which he sang four songs, Tere Liye, Aa Bhi Ja Sanam, Kaun Hoon Main and O Mere Khuda.
He also performed background vocals for scenes in Prince.
Hollywood
Atif Aslam's three songs featured in the Hollywood film, Man Push Cart.[3] While Aadat is the main track, Ehsaas and Yaqeen are the other tracks. These songs are taken from his debut album, Jalpari. Atif is the third Pakistani singer after Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Strings to be featured in any Hollywood movie.
Acting career
Atif is expected to make his acting debut in the second film of well acclaimed Pakistani director Shoaib Mansoor. The film titled Bol is set to release in 2010. The film will also star famous Pakistani TV anchor Mahira Khan. Atif plays the role of a doctor in the film.[4] The film has completed shooting and is now proceeding with its post production works. According to reports, Atif will play a supporting role of a doctor, whilst another newcomer will play the lead role in the film.
Controversies
Jal controversy
After the release of the song Aadat by Jal, there were disputes within the band about Atif's brother being the band's manager. At this point Atif broke off from the band to do his own solo album. His solo album was released a few weeks before the release of the Jal's album, Aadat. As both the albums shared certain tracks, such as Aadat, Wo Lamhey, Rangon Mein and Dil Harey, an unofficial war over rights began between both the groups. Goher Mumtaz sued Atif for using the name Jal in his album title cunningly (Jal Pari, meaning mermaid).
Discography
Main article: Atif Aslam discography
No. | Album | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
1 | 17 July 2004 | |
2 | 20 December 2006 | |
3 | 18 January 2008 | |
4 | Shabnam | October 2010 |
5 | The Dreamer Awakes - ft.Guns N' Roses | Summer 2011 |
Filmography
Bol - (November 2010)
Singles
No. Song Co-Singer 1 Meri Hamjoliyan None 2 Yunhi None 3 Teriyaan Yaadan None 4 Ab Khud Kuch Karna Padega 5 Haath Uthao (For Flood Victims) None 6 Intezaar (Upcoming Track On Eid) None
Bollywood/Lollywood Songs
No. | Song | Co-Singer |
|---|---|---|
1 | Meri Hamjoliyan | None |
2 | Yunhi | None |
3 | Teriyaan Yaadan | None |
4 | Ab Khud Kuch Karna Padega | |
5 | Haath Uthao (For Flood Victims) | None |
6 | Intezaar (Upcoming Track On Eid) | None |
No. | Song | Film | Co-Singer |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Woh Lamhe | None | |
2 | Aadat | None | |
3 | Tere Bin | None | |
4 | Pehli Nazar Mein | None | |
5 | Bakhuda Tumhi Ho | ||
6 | Tera Hone Laga Hoon | ||
7 | Tu Jaane Naa | None | |
9 | O Mere Khuda | Garima Jhingon | |
10 | Tere Liye | ||
11 | Kaun Hoon Main | None | |
12 | Aa Bhi Jaa Sanam | None | |
13 | Rona Chaditta ( Mahi Mahi ) | None | |
14 | Hona Tha Pyar | Faiza Mujahid |
Jingles for advertisement
No. | Song | Co-singer/band |
|---|---|---|
1 | Jee Lay For Warid Glow | None |
2 | Allahu Akbar For Olpers Qawwali | Davood Ali |
Coke Studio
In 2009, Atif Aslam sang five songs for Pakistani music show called Coke Studio.
Year | Episode | Song Name | Co-Singer |
|---|---|---|---|
2009 | 1 | Jal Pari | None |
2009 | 2 | Kinara | Riaz Ali Khan |
2009 | 3 | Wasta E Pyar Da | None |
2009 | 4 | Mai Ni | None |
2009 | 5 | Humain Kya Hua | None |
Awards
Year | Group | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Best Lyrics Aadat | Won | |
Best Song Aadat | Won | ||
Best Composition Aadat | Won | ||
Best Playback Singer | Won | ||
Best Debut Singer | Won | ||
2006 | Most Wanted Male | Won | |
Best Album Doorie | Won | ||
Best Playback Singer (Male) Woh Lamhe - Zeher | Nominated | ||
2007 | Most Stylish Person in Music | Won | |
Best Playback Singer (Male) Tere Bin - Bas Ek Pal | Nominated | ||
2008 | Most Well Dressed Celebrity - Police Dress | Won | |
Most Wanted Male | Won | ||
Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Distinction) | Awarded | ||
2009 | Best Playback Singer (Male) Pehli Nazar Mein - Race | Nominated | |
Best Playback Singer (Male) Pehli Nazar Main - Race | Nominated | ||
2010 | Best Playback Singer – Tu Jaane Na | Nominated | |
Best Playback Singer (Male) – Tu Jaane Na | Nominated | ||
Best Playback Singer (Male) – Tu Jaane Na | Nominated |
