Nazia and Zoheb

Nazia and Zoheb (Urdu: نازیہ اور زوہیب) were a Pakistani pop group from Karachi, Sindh formed in 1980. The group consisted of two siblings, Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan (collectively known as Hassans or The Hassans or Hazan), who were a singing sensation and pop icons in Pakistan and South Asia. They are regarded as pioneers of the Pakistani pop music scene and were one of the most successful Pakistani groups, selling more than 60 million albums worldwide.^[1]

The group initially gained prominence with their music single "Aap Jaisa Koi" first featured as a soundtrack for the 1980 Indian film Qurbani. The song was on the group's debut album Disco Deewane released in 1981 by Indian producer Biddu. The album was the best selling album of Asia at that time. It 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 the soundtrack for the Bollywood movie Star. After two years the band recorded their critically acclaimed album Young Tarang in 1984. It was the first album of the subcontinent to feature music videos. Nazia and Zoheb released their fourth studio album, Hotline in 1987, which featured the duo's younger sister, Zahra Hassan. The group released their last studio album Camera Camera in 1992, which was also the first album produced by Zoheb.

Before the release of their fifth studio album, Nazia and Zoheb announced that it would be their last album. It did not achieve the same success as the previous releases and only received average reaction. 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 (2006).

The group was ended in early 1990's, due to the retierment of Nazia Hassan, to focus on her personal life, but later became ill and died on 13 Augusin 2000 due to lung cancer at the age of 35 in London. After her death, Ziheb Hassan also left singing before making a comeback in 2015 with the song "Jaana" for the musical series Coke Studio Pakistan, that was the remake of the group's songs.

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. In 1976 Nazia and Zoheb both made a cameo appearance in the Pakistani film Beyond the Last Mountain in a song as extras. Nazia's professional career started at the age of fifteen when she provided lead vocals for the song "Aap Jaisa Koi" from the 1980 film Qurbani. Nazia was introduced to the film's director Feroz Khan by his friend Biddu, an Indian music producer based in the United Kingdom. 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 Singer for "Aap Jaisa Koi".

Breakthrough era (1981–1983)

After the success of "Aap Jaisa Koi", Qurbani became a big hit and Nazia collaborated with Biddu, who was also the composer of "Aap Jaisa Koi", on numerous other projects. In 1981, Nazia became the first playback singer to release an album. Her first album was "Disco Deewane". The album broke record sales in Pakistan and India and even topped the charts in the West Indies, Latin America and Russia. This album became a mega-hit and Nazia became an established pop singer in Pakistan. The album had vocals by her brother, Zoheb.

After the release of "Disco Deewane", Nazia and Zoheb were offered the chance to act in a movie by Biddu, but they refused to act and chose singing. Nazia's second album Star/Boom Boom was released in 1982. The soundtrack of the album was used in the movie Star. Nazia made an appearance in the film, singing the film's title song, Boom Boom. The film did not do well at the box office but the album was successful and increased the popularity of Nazia and Zoheb in Pakistan and India.

Continued success (1983–1989)

Nazia's third album, Young Tarang was released in 1984. It was the first album in Pakistan to feature music videos, which were made in London by David and Kathy Rose. The album sold over 40 million copies. The album became Nazia's most famous and one of the most popular in Asia. Ankhien Milane Wale was the most popular song of the album. After the release of Young Tarang, Nazia returned to singing for Bollywood movies as a playback singer.

Nazia's fourth album, Hotline was released in 1987. Aa Haan was the most popular song of the album.

Retirement (1990–1995)

By the end of the 1980s Nazia had become the most popular pop singer of Pakistan. In 1988, Nazia and Zoheb appeared with 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 to be aired on television. The show launched the careers of many new rising bands and singers and became popular in Pakistan. Nazia hosted another show, Dhanak on PTV in the same year, 1989.

In 1991, Nazia and Zoheb recorded her fifth album, Camera Camera. Before the album's release, Nazia and Zoheb announced it would be their last album. The album was released in 1992. It was not as successful as Nazia's previous albums and received only average reaction. After the album's release, Nazia left her singing career to focus on her personal life.

Nazia's death and beyond (2000–2002)

Nazia Hassan died of lung cancer in London on 13 August 2000 at the age of 35.^[2] She was admitted to North Finchley Hospice three days earlier when her condition deteriorated. She showed signs of mild recovery the day before she died and it was thought that doctors would allow her to go home. But early Sunday morning her mother, Muneeza, 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, 9 March 2002 at the Nazia Hassan Tribute Concert, held in Karachi, the classic line-up of Vital Signs performed together on stage – for the first time in almost 7 years. The concert was attended by an enthusiastic audience.

On 23 March 2002 the Government of Pakistan conferred upon Nazia Hassan the highest civilian award Pride of Performance. The award was presented to 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 the Nazia Hassan Foundation charitable organization. The organization was established in continuation of her lifelong charitable and social efforts to make the world a better place to live in for all irrespective of color, creed or religion.

2006

Zoheb Hassan acted in the drama serial "Kismat" in 2006 and released his solo album of the same title in 2006.

Discography

Albums

Films

Solos

TV appearances

Remixes

• Get a Little Closer, by Hazan, remixed by Sal Solo.

TV commercials

TV dramas

1. Kismet (Geo TV, 2006)

See also

• Biddu

References

1. ↑ PTI (18 November 2005). "NRI TV presenter gets Nazia Hassan Award". Times of India. Retrieved 4 March 2011. 
2. ↑ Jai Kumar (23 August 2000). "Obituary: Nazia Hassan". guardian.co.uk. The Guardian. Retrieved 18 May 2008.