Early life and education
Atif Aslam was born in 1983 in Wazirabad, Gujranwala, Pakistan.
He studied at PAF College, Lahore where he completed his F.Sc (Pre-engineering) with the class of 2001. He has represented his college cricket team and represented his college in various other cities as well. 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. [4]
Once when a singing competition was going on in his college, his friends suggested him to take part in it, as he was having his own style of singing. He then presented "DOOR SE KOI AAYE" (song of pakistani band STRINGS) in his unique style and thus he got first prize in singing. After that he took singing seriously and this inspired him into singing. And now he become one of the finest musicians of the world.
[edit]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 onARY Digital and The Musik and then it was played on almost all the channels.
[edit]Solo career (2004 Onwards)
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.[5] 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 also mentioned in a press conference held in Karachi that he will be working on an international project titled The Dreamer Awakes, alongside members of American rock band Guns n' Roses. The song will be released in Summer 2011.
Aslam has began work on his fourth album. There were rumors circulating online that it is titled Shabnam. This was rubbished off by Atif. “Right now, my entire focus is on this project (The Dreamer Awakes). I may be singing with Chris Martin or John Mayer… we’re trying to bring a lot of people together.”[6]
[edit]Bollywood
Atif has sang frequently for Bollywood films, like Pehli Nazar Mein in Race, Tere Bin in Bas Ek Pal, Bakhuda Tumhi Ho in Kismat Konnection,Tera Hone Laga Hoon and Tu Jaane Na in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and Tere Liye in the film Prince. All of which have been very well-received by the Indian and Pakistani audiences.[7]
He also performed background vocals for scenes in Prince. His latest Indian song was Le Ja Tu Mujhe from movie F.A.L.T.U.
[edit]Hollywood
Atif's three songs featured in the Hollywood film Man Push Cart.[8] Aadat, Ehsaas and Yakeen are the three tracks. These songs are taken from his debut album Jal Pari. Atif is the 3rd Pakistani singer after Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Strings to be featured in any Hollywood movie.[9]
[edit]Acting career
Atif made his acting debut in the second film of well acclaimed Pakistani director Shoaib Mansoor. The film titled Bol was released in June 2011. The film also stars Pakistani TV anchor Mahira Khan. Atif plays a supporting role of a doctor in the film.[10]
[edit]Controversies
[edit]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, Woh Lamhein, Rangon Mein and Dil Harey, an unofficial war over rights began between both the groups. Goher Mumtaz sued Atif Aslam for using the name Jal in his album title cunningly Jal Pari.
[edit]Discography
Main article: Atif Aslam discography
| Year | Album | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Jal Pari | Songs used for Hollywood movie Man Push Cart and also for Bollywood |
| 2006 | Doorie | First international album of Atif Aslam |
| 2008 | Meri Kahani | Few songs from this album was leaked on websites by unknown user but removed with in 24 hours |
| 2011 | The Dreamer Awakes | Featuring Matt Sorum, Gilby Clarke[11] |
[edit]Filmography
| Year | Film | Character Name | Film Industry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bol | Mustafa | Lollywood | Debut |
[edit]Singles
| No. | Song | Co-Singer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meri Hamjoliyan | None |
| 2 | Yunhi | None |
| 3 | Teriyan Yaadan | None |
| 4 | Ab Khud Kuch Karna Paray Ga | Strings |
| 5 | Haath Uthao (For Flood Victims) | None |
| 6 | Lambi Judai | None |
| 7 | Dosti | None |
| 8 | Aas Paas | Hadiqa Kiani |
[edit]Bollywood/Lollywood Songs
[edit]Jingles for advertisement
| Year | Song | Co-singer/band |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Allahu Akbar For Olpers Qawwali | Dawud Wharnsby |
| 2010 | Jee Le For Warid Glow | None |
| 2011 | Q Mobile Party Phone | None |
[edit]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 Pyaar Da | None |
| 2009 | 4 | Main Ni | None |
| 2009 | 5 | Humein Kya Hua | None |
[edit]Awards
| Year | Group | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Indus Music Awards | Best Lyrics Aadat | Won |
| Indus Music Awards | Best Song Aadat | Won | |
| Indus Music Awards | Best Composition Aadat | Won | |
| Sahara Sangeet Awards | Best Playback Singer | Won | |
| Sahara Sangeet Awards | Best Debut Singer | Won | |
| 2006 | The Musik Awards | Most Wanted Male | Won |
| Lux Style Awards | Best Album Doorie | Won | |
| Filmfare Awards | Best Playback Singer (Male) Woh Lamhe - Zeher | Nominated | |
| 2007 | Lycra MTV Style Awards | Most Stylish Person in Music | Won |
| Filmfare Awards | Best Playback Singer (Male) Tere Bin - Bas Ek Pal | Nominated | |
| 2008 | Lux Style Awards | Most Well Dressed Celebrity - Police Dress | Won |
| The Musik Awards | Most Wanted Male | Won | |
| Government of Pakistan | Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (Medal of Distinction) | Awarded | |
| 2009 | International Indian Film Academy Awards | Best Playback Singer (Male) Pehli Nazar Mein - Race | Nominated |
| Star Screen Awards | Best Playback Singer (Male) Pehli Nazar Main - Race | Nominated | |
| 2010 | Filmfare Awards | Best Playback Singer – Tu Jaane Na [12] | Nominated |
| IIFA Awards | Best Playback Singer (Male) – Tu Jaane Na[13] | Nominated | |
| GIMA Awards | Best Playback Singer (Male) – Tu Jaane Na[14] | Nominated |
