Draft:Nermin Niazi

Nermin Niazi is a British-Pakistani singer and songwriter. Along with her brother, Feisal Mosleh, Niazi created Disco Se Aagay in 1984, an album that fused traditional Urdu lyrics with contemporary Western genres like disco, new wave, and post-punk. Though the album did not gain widespread attention upon its release, it has experienced a resurgence in recent years, thanks to its remastered rerelease.

Early life and musical background

Niazi was born into a family steeped in music. Her father, Moslehuddin, was a renowned music composer, and her mother, Nahid Niazi, was a celebrated playback singer. The family relocated from Lahore to Birmingham, UK, in the early 1970s, where Niazi and her brother Feisal Mosleh were exposed to Western music traditions. The siblings frequently interacted with famous Pakistani musicians based in the UK, such as Nazia Hassan, and Western acts such as Abba, Pet Shop Boys, and Depeche Mode.From a young age, the siblings began experimenting with music. Feisal, intrigued by his father’s string orchestra, began creating his own music, while Nermin, just a child, would hum along to his compositions. Their shared love for music eventually led to the creation of Disco Se Aagay, a project that would combine their Pakistani musical heritage with the pop music of 1980s Britain.

Disco Se Aagay

Disco Se Aagay was recorded in 1984 at Zella Studios in Birmingham. The album was a fusion of Western electronic sounds and Pakistani music, using synthesizers like the Roland Juno-60 and Yamaha DX7 alongside traditional Hindustani (North Indian) scales commonly used in classical Pakistani music. Niazi, at just 14 years old, was the lead vocalist, while her brother Feisal handled the album's technical and instrumental aspects.

Disco Se Aagay experienced limited commercial success upon its release. During this period, Pakistan was undergoing significant political and cultural changes under the Islamization policies of General Zia-ul-Haq. The album’s modern themes, particularly its portrayal of love and romance, faced backlash from the growing conservative elements within the country.

In recent years, Disco Se Aagay has experienced a resurgence in popularity. The album was rediscovered by Arshia Haq, founder of Discostan, a project and record label that "imagines past, present, and future soundscapes from Beirut to Bangkok via Bombay." Haq came across a copy of the album in a second-hand record store in New York and was immediately captivated by its unique sound. In 2021, Discostan remastered and reissued the album, sparking renewed interest and bringing it to a new audience.

Life After Music

Following the release of Disco Se Aagay, Niazi and her brother pursued separate paths. Niazi briefly explored TV and radio but eventually joined the Metropolitan Police in London, where she has remained ever since. Feisal Mosleh moved to the United States, where he earned a master's degree in microchip design and later worked in Silicon Valley. Both siblings moved on from their musical career, but Niazi has spoken fondly of the time when they were creating music together.