Najam Sheraz

Najam Sheraz

Najam Sheraz (Urdu: نجم شیراز) is a Pakistani pop singer and comedy actor

History

Najam Sheraz was born in Multan, Pakistan. A natural sportsman, he played professional cricket with cricketing legends such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Waqar Younis, and Mushtaq Ahmed. He formed his first band with his elder brothers called Brother Rhythm in 1987.

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.

Solo career

In December of 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. '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.

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 35mm 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.

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 2002 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 Moamla 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 Moamla 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'.

Discography:

Early experience:

Brother Rhythm – 1987
Wet Metal – 1989 performed more than 1000 shows around the country Pyar Ki Piyas 1993 first single on Tv
Solo Career began in 1994 – to date * In say Nain 1994 no 1
Sona Chahta hoon 1995 no 2 was banned from National Radio-Reason given: Lyrics and vocal performance too wild for the youth
Hawa Ka sipahi 1995 official Airforce song
Yeah Baat 1996 was censored on National TV Reason given: Against Establishment was aired heavily on satellite a few years later
Solo Albums: Album: Khazana – 1996 – Lips Records sold more than one Million copies Singles:

Larki 1996 no 1
Aajana 1996 no 1
Ae Aurat 1997 sound track of a special play for the Airforce Shahpar
Karavan The Rock Band Project:
Rakh Aas 1997 Pop music was banned on TV Reason given: long hair and jeans give a bad impression of the youth
In Fizaon Say Agay 1997 Official Golden jubilee song for the Airforce
Signed up with Pepsi Cola International 1999
Album: Roop Nagar – 1999 – Sonic/BMG Singles:

Mahia 1999 was censored on National TV Reason given : intense visuals
Amar Kahani 1999 World Cup Cricket song with Pepsi Cola was censored Reason given: Performance too wild for National TV
Pyar Karannu Dil Karda – 2000 – Lips Records first album in Punjabi language
Pal do Pal Ki Chahat – 2000 – BMG Cresendo (India)
Mera Ji Naheen Lagae 2000 became the soundtrack of 20th Century Fox's movie "Split Wide Open" along with Air Supply, Garbage, Asha Bhoslay..and a few others
Signed up with the No 1 Tea Company Tapal Tea Pvt.LTD.
Album: Jaisay Chaho Jiyo – 2002 – Sadaf Stereo Singles:

Jaisay chaho Jiyo 2002 no 1
Aao Wahan Chalain 2002 no 1
Aahista Aahista 2003
Rakh Aas – Karavan – 1997 – VCI Records
Mera Jee Nahin Laage – Included on the Soundtrack of 20th Century Fox film “Split Wide Open” –March 2000
Title song “Suraj Girhan” for PTV Drama Serial “ Suraj Girhan” – 2000
2 songs included in a UK released compilation album “Love Rocks-The Beginning” released by Gladiator Records- 28th October 2002
Jeeto Mere Laal 2002 –World cup cricket song later on dedicated to the Blind Cricket World Cup winners sponsored by Tapal Tea Pvt. Ltd.
Yeah moamla Koi Aur Hae 2002 a message of world peace and brotherhood first ever spiritual acapella Hamd by any popstar in the Muslim world no 1
Album :Yeah Moamla Koi Aur Hae 2003 - Label Event Records/Sadaf - Best seller in Pakistan UK USA Canada South Africa Singles:

Yeah Moamla Koi Aur Hae 2002
Rahain Bhataknae Walay 2002
Kar Liya Soda 2003
Gilay shikway 2003 against War and terrorism
Shapar 2003 Official song for the Airforce
Ae Watan 1997 Tribute to the legendary Classical Maestro " Amanat Ali Khan
National Song “Hamari Pehchaan” – Dedicated to the nation on 14th August 2003 - Sponsored by Tapal Tea Pvt. Ltd.

Song “Jaise Tu (Harjaee)” for the soundtrack of GEO TV's Drama Serial “Daira” 2003
Shahpar – Air force Day Song – 6th September 2003
9th SAF Games 2004 3 songs for the 9th SAF Games opening and closing ceremonies in Pakistan “Rising Above - Buland Saab Taasubaat Sae” “Peace For All” and “Remember We Will”
Janbaz 2004 A tribute to Armed Forces sponsored by the largest tobacco company Lackson Tobacco Pvt.LTD.
Composed the song “Bheegay Hont Tere” for the Bollywood Film “Murder” produced by Mahesh Bhatt and Directed by Mukesh Bhatt which won all the film and music awards in 2005
Album "Menu Tere Naal 2004 Ten years of Najam Sheraz
Singles:

In Say nain 2004 version featuring 15 of Pakistan's top Musicians and Artists no 1
Menu Tere Naal OST of the Bollywood movie Murder no 1
Hamari Pehchan no 1
Rabba no 1
Peace for all
Song "Aa Mere Paas Aa" for the soundtrack of Hum TV's Drama serial Malika 2005
National Anthem of Pakistan reproduced for the first time since 1947 launched from the Presidency at 12AM on the 14th of August the Independence Day of Pakistan on all the TV Networks
Yeah Pal 2005 OST for the Bollywood Film Kalyug
Tribute song Jan Nisar to the Police Department of Pakistan.
Tribute Song Salam dedicated to the Armed Forces for their efforts during the Kashmir Earthquake 2005 also performed for UN and NATO forces in Kashmir.
Tribute song Zinda Qaum dedicated to the Nation for their united efforts during the Kashmir earthquake 2005.
Aa Mere Piyar Ki Khushbu Ost for the ARY TV's Drama Serial Aa Mere Piyar Ki Khushbu 2005
Signed up with the Largest Telecom Company Mobilink/Orascom for their biggest campaign to date to promote National harmony and tolerance also celebrating 20 million customers nationwide
Mohabbat Ki Zuban 2006 no 1 wrote, composed and performed the theme song of the campaign. The video of the song is also the largest budgeted video made in Pakistan to date. The song has also become a mobitune for the Telecom's 20 million customers.
I love you more than Anything 2006 no 1 Single from the upcoming Album featuring International singing and dancing group Heartbeat and Hisham (Reef)
Currently working on the 8th solo Album in UK with Chris Eaton as co-producer featuring the musical talents of Dan Wheeler , Mark Edwards, Miles Bould,Matt Weeks, Collin, Paul Burton (aka Paulie Poppadom) Natalie Williams and Signe Andersen.
Sponsorships:

Pepsi Cola International signed Najam Sheraz up for the year 1999
Tapal Tea Pvt. Ltd. signed Najam Sheraz up for the years 2001- 2003
Composed, sang and Produced the 50th Anniversary song for Coca Cola International - 2003
Mobilink/Orascom signed Najam Sheraz for their biggest campaign to date to promote National harmony and tolerance also celebrating 20 million customers nationwide. Acting Experience: * Long Play “Qurbani”. Played an aspiring music director in search of a break into the film industry. -1998
1 Episode of “Seth And Company” a comedy serial. Played a double role – as self and that of “Jabbar Plumber” - 1999
2 part Comedy Serial “Kirkit”. Played the role of the Captain of a street cricket team - 1999
2 Episodes of PTV Comedy Serial “Ahista Ahista”. Played self. Song “Ahista Ahista” from the album “Jaisay Chaho Jiyo” was used as the tile song-2002
Comparing Experience:

Toshiba Bomba Show – BBCL Productions A musical showcase and game show of 13 episodes in which various Artists were invited to perform and interact with myself– 1999/2000
Ramzan on the Streets – GEO TV A 4 episode game show based on the spirit and essence of Ramzan
Tours:

Bahrain – December 1996
USA/Canada – October/November 1998
Kuwait – December 1998
India – May 1999
India – March 2000
Norway – August 2003
UAE - Dubai – November 2003
UAE - Dubai – March 2004
Bahrain – April 2004
UAE - Dubai – May 2004
USA – June 2004
USA/Canada – August/September 2004
India - August 2004
UK - December 2004
Dubai - Bollywood Music Awards - February 2005
UK - Bradford Festival - June 2005
UK - July 2005
Norway - Oslo Festival - August 2005
UK - August 2005
USA - New York Pakistan Independence Day Parade - August 2005
India - September 2005
Kashmir - Earthquake Relief and Rehab Program - October 2005
UAE - Dubai - December 2005
UK - East London - Global Peace and Unity Event 2005 - December 2005
Canada - Toronto - Reviving The Islamic Spirit Conference 2005 - December 2005
UK - May 2006
India - Mumbai - June 2006
UK - London - June 2006
UK - Manchester August 2006
UK - London October 2006
UK - East London - Global Peace and Unity Event 2006 - November 2006
Manchester - UK - December 2006
UK- February 2007
Awards:

Best New Artist of the Year – Pro Audio Show 1996 – Karachi
Best Music Album of the Year – Yeh Moamla Koi Aur Hai – Lux Style Awards 2004 – Dubai
Best Male Artist of the year – Indus Music Awards – 2004
Maymar-e-Watan Award 2004 - Sindh Provincial Assembly - Karachi
Special Award for the Hamd “Yeh Moamla Koi Aur Hai” – Indus Music Awards – 2004
Indo-Pak Celebrity Peace Cricket Match - March 2004 – Sharjah. Received the Man of the Match and Best Bowler Awards
Best OST Award for a Bollywood Film Murder Song Menu Tere Naal -Bollywood Music Award 2005

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