Excalibur sat down with York student and singer-songwriter Hasan Shah. From Pakistan to Eminem, Shah shares the story behind his music.
Interview conducted by Alexia Lawson, Arts Editor
Images courtesy of Michael Zusev, Photo Editor
Excalibur: What program and year of study are you in?
Hasan Shah: I am taking communication studies as my major and film [as my] minor here at York University. It is my third year and so far the program has given me so much to reflect upon the society we live in.
E: When did you begin singing and what sparked your interest in music?
HS: My passion for music flared when I was in elementary school, and interestingly enough I started by listening to rap music. I really took interest in how poetry and lyrics defined this genre. I grew up listening to Eminem not only [because] his flow was unbeatable but the content of his work inspired me to express my life and my emotions through music. I was fascinated by the power of how words and music can evoke emotion and allow us to reflect in an art form. After 2006, I moved back to Pakistan and took this inspiration across the seas and developed my passion back home. Being influenced by the music of my country, I began to explore music in a different context and in a different place. This has allowed for my unique style to flourish. I began to introduce Eastern music to Western music and fused them together in a way that allowed me to express my life through the uniqueness of my delivery. My debut song was a journey that allowed me to learn a lot and sparked the interest that has now consumed my life.
E: Who are your musical influences?
HS: I always believed in exploring music in its essence from different parts of the world. This allowed me to connect to music in a very different way. I grew up listening to a variety of music forms. For example, Qawwali a dominant form of cultural music in Eastern Asia. Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is known to birth this genre of music and has always had my utmost respect. His innovation and genius has inspired many to create and bring the fusion of Eastern and Western music … Along with that, other notable Pakistani artists and bands include Call, EP, Junoon, Noori, Jal, Atif Aslam, Mustafa Zahid, Farhan Saeed, Sajjad Ali, Abrar Ul Haq, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Ali Zafar, and many more. I have always been influenced by rap early on but I have picked up on many different extended genres, from R&B to pop. Some notable influences include Jay Sean, Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Boyce Avenue, Maroon 5, Adele, Drake, Michael Jackson, The Weeknd, and many more. However, it is important to note that the duality of cultures has allowed me to get this far and express myself through my music.
E: In what way does your home country, Pakistan, influence your music?
HS: One of the biggest influences is a [television] program not only in Pakistan but around the world known as Coke Studio. This unique platform has allowed for the combination of different styles of music [to blend with] cultures and more importantly, emphasizing on Pakistani culture. This show hones the cultural aspects of Pakistan, infusing them with music such as Sufism, which is a large movement in Pakistan. Coke Studio has given a medium to allow for such expressions through music. One of the most notable influences is the ‘Qalaams,’ a form of poetry. The brilliant poet Bulleh Shah. The divinity in the connection of culture and music is what really drew me in, and most importantly its connection to religion. Music, in my opinion, is an art that connects people together because the language of music is universal. Moreover, despite the atrocities and the political instability, the medium in which music is being shown has brought a broken nation together. Coke Studio is generally aimed at established artists, however, Nescafe Basement [another television series], played a very important part in promoting the talent that is unknown and exposing them to society. Pakistan has given … many opportunities and that inspiration is what has allowed me to push myself towards a career in music.
E: Your song, “Pyaari Maa,” was inspired by the school massacre in Peshawar, Pakistan in Dec. 2014, where 132 children were killed. Could you tell us about the song and the process of writing it?
HS: The devastating incident in Peshawar that swept the nation with so much grief left Pakistanis all over broken and shattered. To subject innocent children to political reasons that have nothing to do with them really expressed the barbaric nature of the Taliban. Every Pakistani bleeds knowing the sacrifice that they involuntarily made. Nothing was able to close the wound and mend the broken hearts. I felt like what better way to express myself other than music. I sat one night in shock pondering the nature of the events that transpired and somehow the lyrics just flowed through me. I wrote the song from the perspective of the victims and in the first few lines I wrote, “Aey meri Pyaari Maa, maang le dua. Aey Meri Pyaari Maa, Kar le ab Faisala,” which translates to “Oh beautiful mother pray for me, oh beautiful mother make a decision and accept that I no longer live.”
E: Most of your music is sung in Urdu. Have you faced language barriers in the music industry, especially as a Toronto-based musician?
HS: The great thing about this society is that it is the multicultural hub of the world. Differences of culture is respected and encouraged. Yes, I sing in Urdu. Up until now it has been dominant, however, my goal is to infuse cultures together which you will see in upcoming projects that will focus more on the language aspect. Surprisingly, despite the language barrier I have had people tell me how they have an emotional connection with my music, which to me is very meaningful. But yes, there is a language barrier because the majority of my targeted audiences are people who can understand Urdu and Hindi which has hindered in some ways to expand my options.
E: What musical accomplishment of yours are you most proud of and why?
HS: I am proud of every bit of music I put out there because it is an honest expression of my emotions and how it reflected that period of time … [My song], “Ithna Hum Ko” speaks in depth … [of] past experiences that have allowed me to mature as a person. I directed the music video and put my soul into this piece in memory of a dear friend who had passed [away] a while ago. It spoke volumes because the pain of losing someone is the greatest emotional trauma one can face. My performances have allowed me to travel across the GTA and to feel the energy of the crowd every time I come on stage. It is what I live for and why I perform … I really enjoy performing for my fans.
E: Any upcoming projects that students can look forward to?
HS: I recently released my fourth single “Anjaani Raathein,” which really established the tone of what I am capable of doing … I am focusing on the next step, which will be to release my first album, which I will announce once I have the allocated resources and platform. Apart from that I am just focusing on expanding my fan base. I will be launching a show, which will allow myself and other artists to showcase their talent in music.
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