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Shuja Haider

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For the Pakistani cricketer, see Shuja Haider (cricketer).

Shuja Haider
شجاع حیدر
Born (1982-11-20) 20 November 1982 (age 42)[1][2]
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan[1]
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • record producer
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
  • keyboards
Years active2005 – present
Labels
  • Mainstage Productions
  • Soundscape
  • Bisconni Music
  • Shuja Haider Music

Shuja Haider or Shuja Hyder (Urdu: شجاع حیدر; pronounced [ʃʊˈdʒaː ˈɦɛːdər]; born 20 November 1982) is a Pakistani singer, songwriter, composer, and record producer. Haider is best known as a playback singer for films Khuda Kay Liye (2007) and Bol (2011) and more recently for his work on Coke Studio, Pakistan. Haider served as music director for Lux Style Awards for two years. He has produced over 50 albums in his career[3] and is considered one of the most established music producers in Pakistan today.[4]

Early life and background

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Shuja Haider was born in Lahore, Pakistan to Sajid Ali (1950 – 24 May 2022),[5] a singer-musician, and is one of four siblings.[6] His grandfather was renowned Pakistani pianist, Master Sadiq Ali (1935-1984),[7] often referred to as the master pianist of the subcontinent.[8][9][10] Exposed to numerous genres of music from across the world as a child, Haider started dabbling in music at the age of seven, although his primary interest was in athletics. He recalls that he always wanted to be a cricketer, inspired at a young age by cricketers Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, and Imran Khan.[6]

Haider's family moved to Karachi, Pakistan in the early 1990s, just as the city was becoming a cultural and creative hub for young musicians from all over Pakistan due to the influx of pop music and TV music channels. Haider eventually decided to pursue a career in music, and his main interest was in songwriting, composing, and producing music. He notes that he spent significant time during this period learning the ropes of digital music production which was still a relatively new technology at the time.[citation needed]

Haider lists Sting, Coldplay, Henry Mancini, John Williams, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan among his musical influences[6][11] and has stated that listening to the Bee Gees, The Carpenters, Queen, Abba and The Beatles as a teenager was particularly impactful for him.[12][13] He recalls that seeing composers such as Bakhshi-Wazir at close quarters helped him understand the nuances of making music: "I’m very lucky that I saw them making songs. It’s by watching them that I learnt a little about how a song is made, how its weight should be distributed, and what tempo it should be in."[12] Haider lists Gustavo Santaolalla as his favourite composer.[11]

Career

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Career beginnings

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Haider established his own recording studio, Speed of Sound, in 1996[11][14] and produced Haroon's first solo album Haroon Ki Awaz in 2000 and Ahmed Jahanzeb's second studio album Parastish in 2003.[4] Soon after, he rose to prominence as a singer[11][14] with his very first single, "Tera Woh Pyar," composed by two of his brothers and released in 2004-05 by the Indus Media Group. In 2008, Haider wrote and performed a song for the Indian film Ru Ba Ru. He has since done work as songwriter, composer, and vocalist for Pakistani drama soundtracks (known as OSTs) including Tum Mere Hi Rehna (2014), Muqaddas (2015), Sehra Main Safar (2015), Mann Mayal (2016),[15] Baaghi (2017), and Alif (2019). Haider is known for his collaborations with Shoaib Mansoor in his films Khuda Kay Liye (2007) and Bol (2011), where he recorded solos and duets with Ahmed Jahanzeb.[16]

Work in Coke Studio

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Haider made his Coke Studio debut in 2016[13] as music director and songwriter in Season 9 with the songs "Aaqa" (performed by Ali Sethi and Abida Parveen) and "Khaki Banda" (performed by Ahmed Jahanzeb and Umair Jaswal).[17] Aaqa received praise for its "beautiful melody"[18] and "thoughtful flourishes."[19] Haider was lauded for his composition and arrangement in "Khaki Banda," as well as for his innovation in incorporating Bulleh Shah's Sufi verses into the song.[20] Haider's songwriting in both "Aaqa" and "Khaki Banda" was noted for its Sufi-rock fusion, evocative imagery, and devotional expression.[3][21] In the same season of Coke Studio, Haider also directed a medley of two of his original singles — "Tera Woh Pyar" (originally released in 2004)[13] and "Nawazishein Karam" — performed by Asim Azhar and Momina Mustehsan and produced by Strings. In the season finale, Haider made his debut as a vocalist on Coke Studio with "Sab Jag Soye," performing with Quratulain Balouch.

The following year, in Coke Studio Season 10, Haider continued to work as a producer but also wrote, composed, and sang "Baanware" with Aima Baig. He also wrote, composed, and directed "Allahu Akbar,"[3] a traditional hamd performed by Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and Ahmed Jahanzeb. The song received critical acclaim for its "complex structure" and "larger-than-life atmosphere,"[3] and Haider was praised for his ability to blend "Middle-Eastern and South Asian musical motifs."[3] In the same season, Haider directed "Dam Mast Qalandar" — sung by Umair Jaswal and Jabar Abbas — as a musical tribute to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan as well as "Jaan-e-Bahaaraan" (sung by Ali Zafar) as a tribute to the composer Master Inayat Hussain.[22]

In Coke Studio Season 12, Haider performed the song "Saiyyan" with Rachel Viccaji, produced by Rohail Hyatt, the co-creator of Coke Studio. The composition was praised for its striking visual metaphors and its fusion of traditional Punjabi folk music with a playful musical arrangement.[21] Haider continues to be closely associated with Coke Studio Pakistan and has been credited with bringing greater variety to the show in recent years.[23]

Other work

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In 2008, Haider composed and produced the song "Yeh Hum Naheen" (transl. This is Not Us), written by Ali Moeen.[24] The song was part of an anti-terrorism campaign aimed at reaffirming Islam as anti-terrorism and promoting a more positive image of Pakistan to other nations.[25] Haider sang the song along with artistes such as Strings, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Ali Zafar, and Hadiqa Kiyani among others.[24][26] The song led to a record-breaking 62.8 million Pakistanis signing a petition to uphold the message of the campaign,[25] and was entered into Guinness World Records as the most signed petition ever at the time.[27]

In 2017, Haider announced his work on Soundscape, meant to be an interactive, multi-city live music series that would feature a number of artistes from around the country, representing different musical genres.[28][29] Although largely completed, this project is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in 2017, Haider featured in and produced music for Season 5 of National Ka Pakistan, a reality adventure show on YouTube that explored and highlighted the unique culinary diversity across the four provinces of Pakistan.[30]

In the aftermath of the murder of Zainab Ansari in 2018, Haider wrote, composed and sang the song "Jeevan Daan" (featuring Saba Qamar) which addressed the issues of gender inequality and child abuse.[31] In 2020, Haider produced and composed music for Season 3 of Strepsils Stereo,[13][32] the first musical platform in Pakistan geared at producing a cappella music and presenting new musical talent.[33]

In 2022, Haider launched The Idol Online, an online talent hunt to scout, train, and develop up-and-coming musical talent from across Pakistan.[34] Haider asserted that Pakistan lacks the "institutions and platforms that make artists. There is no orthodox teaching of music anymore. With Idol Online, I want to provide a platform and an institution which would find and train artists as a means to give back to the community. I want to contribute to the betterment of the youth through music."[35]

Artistry

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Haider has stated in various interviews that for traditional Eastern classical music to survive, it is necessary to blend it with Western music to make it more accessible and attractive to listeners today.[4] Haider's music aims to highlight traditional compositions and instruments while thematically reinterpreting them in a modern context.[36] Fusing musical styles, cutting across genres, and experimenting with arrangements is therefore a prominent feature in Haider's music.[29]

Haider is also a vocal advocate for creating original music as opposed to the current culture of churning out cover songs, stating in an interview that "cover songs...(are)…the formula for overnight fame. But let’s not overdo it as at the end of the day you only become a respectable star in your own right when you bring about original numbers that create ripples."[37] In another interview, he similarly contended, "I personally don't agree with the practice. You can't own someone else's work. You cannot put your own name on someone else's art."[38] Despite his significant success as a singer, Haider has stated in various interviews that he primarily considers himself a composer, songwriter and record producer: "Personally, I have always enjoyed creating music far more than singing. This is what I’ve acquired over time – songwriting, that is...Going on stage and making people raise their hands to applaud frantically for me was never my thing."[37]

Discography

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Singles

[edit]
  • "Tera Woh Pyar" (2005)
  • "Yeh Hum Naheen"[24][25][26] (2008)
  • "Josh-e-Junoon" (2011), Pakistan Cricket Team Sports Anthem (Composer)[39][40][41]
  • "Funn Mitti Se" (2018)
  • "Jeevan Daan" (2018)
  • "Kya Ho Gaya Hai" (2020)
  • "Teri Qasam" (2021)
  • "Rabba" (2021)
  • "Main Na Janoo" (2021)
  • "Dil Machis Hai" (2021)
  • "Dukh" (2021)
  • "Baaghi - Unplugged" (2021)
  • "Allah o Akbar"(2021)
  • "Faslon Ko Takaluf"[42] (2021)
  • "Mere Maula" (2021)
  • "Alif - Unplugged" (2021)
  • "Jeena" (2021)
  • "Safina" (2021)
  • "Baanware - Original Version" (2021)
  • "Main Urra - Special Version" (2021)
  • "Mumkin" (composer, producer) for Strepsils Stereo Season 3 (2020)
  • "Udikan Laiyan Mein," for Strepsils Stereo Season 3 (2021)
  • "Dil Bhara Nahi" (2021)[43]
  • "Want You Back" (2022)[44]
  • "Pyar Nai Fir Kerna"[45] for Kashmir Beats Season 2, with Kinza Hashmi (2022)
  • "Tu Hi Zindagi" (2022)[46]
  • "Shad Rahe Pakistan" (2022)[47][48]
  • "Nawazishein Karam - Original Version" (2022)[49]

Film

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Television (OSTs)

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Coke Studio Pakistan

[edit]

Season 9 (2016)

[edit]
Song Episode Notes
Aaqa 01 Composer
Khaaki Banda 03 Composer and songwriter
Aaya Laariye 04 Composer
Tera Woh Pyar/Nawazishen Karam 06 Composer
Sab Jag Soye 07 Composer and singer

Season 10 (2017)

[edit]
Song Episode Notes
Allahu Akbar 01 Composer and songwriter
Jaan e baharan 02 Composer and songwriter
Sab Maaya Hai 05 Composer
Dam Mast Qalandar 06 Composer
Baanware 07 songwriter, composer, singer

Season 11 (2018)

[edit]
Song Episode Notes
Aatish 04 Singer, Composer and songwriter
Jind Mahiya 07 Singer, Composer and songwriter

Season 12 (2019)

[edit]
Song Episode Notes
Saiyaan 02 Singer, Composer and songwriter

Coke Studio 2020

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Song Episode Notes
Na Tutteya Ve 01 Composer and songwriter[55][56]
Har Funn Mola 03 Composer and songwriter[57]

Filmography

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Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2020 Alif Shuja Haider (As himself) Episode 20 & 21

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Shuja Haider's epic journey from queueing for food at Data Darbar to Coke Studio". The Express Tribune (newspaper). 7 July 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2022. It's a hot and unusually humid night in 1997 Lahore. 14-year-old Shuja has returned home after the daily grind....
  2. ^ Shuja Haider (9 June 2021) "What's your birthday month? I'm November🦂". Retrieved 1 February 2022 - via Shuja Haider on Facebook. "@Zohaib Ahmed 20 November".
  3. ^ a b c d e "Coke Studio: Shuja Haider's 'Allahu Akbar' creates waves". The Nation. 12 August 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b c "Shuja Haider: the unsung star of Pakistani music". The Express Tribune. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  5. ^ Haider, Shuja (25 May 2022). "Facebook". facebook.com. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  6. ^ a b c Shuja Haider's Journey from Tera Wo Pyar to Baaghi on Rewind with Samina Peerzada | Coke Studio, retrieved 28 August 2021
  7. ^ Fatima, Noor (24 October 2022). "Shuja Haider plans Idol Online to hunt new singing talent". Daily Pakistan. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  8. ^ Shuja haider exclusive interview 2021 Talks about secrets of his whole life journey....Must watch, retrieved 29 August 2021
  9. ^ Studio, Coke. "Shuja Haider - Season 12 Blogs". Coke Studio. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Ah! Those old radio days". apnaorg.com. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d raza, Nida. "Shuja Haider". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  12. ^ a b Studio, Coke. "Shuja Haider - Season 12 Blogs". Coke Studio. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d Nasreen, Gul. "SHUJA HAIDER". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Artists - Season 11 - Coke Studio Pakistan". www.cokestudio.com.pk. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Hum TV's Drama 'Mann Mayal' OST, Timings & Pictures". brandsynario. 23 January 2016. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  16. ^ Ansari, Hasan (15 June 2016). "Shuja Haider: the unsung star of Pakistani music". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
  17. ^ "Coke Studio 9: Episode 3 belongs to Abida Parveen, Ahmed Jehanzeb". The Express Tribune. 27 August 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2021.
  18. ^ "In conversation with the maestro | Instep | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  19. ^ "20 Greatest Songs From Coke Studio Pakistan And India, Ranked". HuffPost. 1 November 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  20. ^ "One song made Umair Jaswal quit 'partying' and hit the prayer mat". The Express Tribune. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  21. ^ a b "'Coke Studio' to release Episode 2 of Season 12 on Friday". Daily Times. 23 October 2019. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  22. ^ "Episode 2 of Coke Studio Season 10 features mega stars and memorable songs". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  23. ^ Sarym, Ahmed (17 August 2017). "I always felt Coke Studio needed more variety, says Shuja Haider". Images. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
  24. ^ a b c "SPOT LIGHT: The Idea Of Artistes Coming Together For A Cause Catches On". DAWN.COM. 30 August 2008. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  25. ^ a b c Philippidou, Photini (11 September 2008). "How a Pakistani protest song is redefining Islam as anti-terrorist". The Independent. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  26. ^ a b Rehman, Sonya (11 March 2007). "Giving peace a chance". jang.com.pk. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  27. ^ Singh, Amar (11 September 2008). "Record anti-terror petition will be brought to London". standard.co.uk. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  28. ^ NewsBytes. "Shuja Haider announces Soundscape". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  29. ^ a b "Shuja Haider releases the official logo for 'SOUNDSCAPE'". The Nation. 31 October 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  30. ^ Sponsor (23 December 2017). "Fall in love with Pakistan all over again with chef Saadat Siddiqui and singer Shuja Haider". Images. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Saba Qamar, Shuja Haider fight for children's rights in latest song". The Express Tribune. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  32. ^ "Music maestro set to launch 'Strepsils Stereo' Season 3". Daily Times. 11 October 2020. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Strepsils Stereo's new song is a celebration of true moments of love". Daily Times. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  34. ^ Ramzan, Absara (25 October 2022). "Shuja Haider wants to find new singing potential using Idol Online". BOL News. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  35. ^ "With no brands involved, Shuja gears up for 'Icon Online'". The Express Tribune. 22 October 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  36. ^ "Shuja Haider announces his passion project, 'Soundscape'". The Express Tribune. 22 August 2017. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  37. ^ a b "How the Mega-talented Shuja Haider happened to us". Runway Pakistan. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  38. ^ "Cover songs shouldn't be a musician's claim to fame: Shuja Haider". The Express Tribune. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  39. ^ Mahmood, Rafay (1 March 2011). "World cup songs: hits and misses". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  40. ^ Lodhi, Rida (7 January 2019). "Fawad Khan and Shuja Haider to collaborate on this year's PSL anthem". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  41. ^ "Top 8 Independence Day Songs - That Will Wake The Patriot Inside You". VeryFilmi. 12 August 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  42. ^ "Shuja Haider releases soulful rendition of naat 'Faslon Ko Takaluf'". Daily Jang. 23 April 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  43. ^ Shuja Haider | Dil Bhara Nahi | Bisconni Music Episode 3, retrieved 27 July 2022
  44. ^ want you back, retrieved 16 January 2022
  45. ^ Kashmir Beats | Season 2 | Pyar Nai Fir Kerna | Kinza Hashmi & Shuja Haider, retrieved 7 March 2022
  46. ^ Tu Hi Zindagi, retrieved 7 March 2022
  47. ^ "ISPR releases 'Shad Rahe Pakistan' national song". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  48. ^ "ISPR releases Shad Rahe Pakistan national song amid 23rd March celebrations". Daily Times. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2022.
  49. ^ Haider, Shuja (13 July 2022). "This version has never been heard before". facebook.com. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  50. ^ "Verna OST is a triumph". TNS – The News on Sunday. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  51. ^ Amer, Sameen (1 May 2022). "Eid flicks". thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
  52. ^ "Pukaar (Ost) By Shuja Haider Mp3 Song Download – Mr-Jatt". sites.google.com. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  53. ^ Mein Na Janoo | OST | HUM TV | Drama. Retrieved 16 February 2020 – via YouTube.
  54. ^ "OST: Khaab Toot Jaatay Hain | Singer: Shuja Haider". youtube.com. HUM TV. 15 January 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  55. ^ Studio, Coke. "Na Tutteya Ve – Season 2020 Blogs". Coke Studio. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
  56. ^ "Shape of the Songs | Instep | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  57. ^ Studio, Coke. "Har Funn Maula – Season 2020 Blogs". Coke Studio. Retrieved 22 February 2021.
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