Eastern Eye Magazine interview with Najam Sheraz (

by ASJAD NAZIR - 3/28/08

IT'S difficult not to like Najam Sheraz. He has the charisma of
a star, the talent of a musical maestro and the spirituality of a
older, wiser man.
In the past decade, he has mixed up hugely popular pop anthems
with deeply spiritual songs that have touched the hearts and
minds of millions around the world.
In between, he has highlighted important causes,
done work for charity and delivered sublime live
performances all over the world. Since his last full
musical album Jaisay Chaho Jiyo in 2002, Najam
has done a patriotic album, made documentaries,
recorded a spiritual album and got asked to reproduce
and re-sing the official National Anthem
of Pakistan, something no one has been asked to
do since 1947.
When you started, did you ever imagine you
would record 10 solo albums?
No, the biggest challenge was to record the first
one. On every subsequent album, I felt the same
– that I couldn't imagine composing a full album
of songs. Honestly, when I listen to massive songs
like Hum Bolain Mohabbat Ki Zuban, Na Tera
Khuda Koi Aur Hai and Menu Tere Naal, I can't
believe I did them.
Why did you decide to do your latest album in
the UK?
I gradually fell in love with the UK. I did some
post-production of the song Hum Bolain Mohabbat
Ki Zuban at the Abbey Road Studios in
2006, which gave me a taste of the British sound.
At the end of 2006, I met Chris Eaten, a songwriter
from the West Midlands who had written for
artists including Cliff Richard, Jessica Simpson,
Janet Jackson and Amy Grant. We co-wrote and coproduced
the world peace song Only Love, which
we haven't released yet. I was so inspired by Chris'
devotion and commitment to make music that I
asked him if he would be interested in co-producing
my album. It took him a while to get into the project
because it was in a different language, but he rose to the
challenge. Together we formed our production team of
amazing artists.
Tell us about the songs on there?
The as-yet untitled album has the songs Khabon Ke Rishtay,
Charay Man Ke Taar, Mera Yar Bina, Ja Re Ja, Aajana, Hum
Bolain Mohabbat Ki Zuban, a new version of Menu Tere Naal and
Dil Tumhara Bhi Hae, which is a duet with Natalie Williams.
What was the biggest challenge in producing the album?
Staying away from home and the family for months, spending a lot
of money and eating food I'm not used to. Technically, the challenge
was to make everyone understand the vision and the feeling of the
songs. Thank God my melodies were expressive enough to dictate the
direction, and the production team were very intelligent. Chris was at
his best and Dan Wheeler has a gift of giving a track the right soundscape.
Paul (Burton), who mixed the album, did the rest of the magic.
Has this album tested you vocally?
Big time! I knew how much was at stake money and career-wise, so I had
to deliver. The songs were very demanding and because Chris is a virtuoso
singer, he was also very demanding. Singing with an accomplished jazz singer like
Natalie Williams on Dil Tumhara... was another challenge.
Do you find it hard to balance your spiritual side with the pop side of things?
I'm human and get tempted by worldly things, but my spirituality brings
me back on track. It's really been challenging all these years but
I am getting there – the best thing about spiritual awareness
is that it makes it easy to connect with different cultures and
people and helps me to be more focused in my career. We
all belong to the same creator, have the same wants, face
the same challenges. I have seen many people indulge in
just making money and having fun. It helps you to be
humble and most of all, spiritual awareness helps you to
recognise the truth, sincerity and real friends.
How important is it for you to have social messages in
your music?
It is very important. In the video of Khabon Ke Rishtay,
which will be out soon, we have addressed issues
faced by young girls like date rape, teenage pregnancy
and molestation for the first time. There are messages
in the other songs like the importance of communication
in Dil Tumhara and the message of tolerance
in the song Mohabbat Ki Zuban. I don't try to fit lyrics
to music, I go with the idea from scratch.
What are your passions away from music?
To be a better human being and to live for a cause
– right now, peace and harmony is the biggest
need of the current times. I love cricket, good food
and spending time with my family.
Tell us something people don't know about you?
(Laughs) I am an angel... well, people already
know that. I think they shouldn't know what they
are not supposed to know.
After all these years, what are your biggest unfulfilled
ambitions?
I don't look at things that way. I believe in my own
path and am very confident about it. But I would
like to be better in every way – career wise I'm currently
working on a lot of things I always wanted to
do, like doing an English album.
What are your best and worst qualities?
My best is that I accept my mistakes and my
worst is that I delay things at times.
What is your idea of happiness?
To keep all my responsibilities fulfilled, to be at the right side
of God, to keep my family and loved ones happy and to keep
moving forward.
Finally, give us a message for your fans in the UK?
I want to thank all of them for their support, especially for
choosing me as the best performer for three years running at
the Global Peace Unity event, from among all the big names
of the Nasheed [religious music genre] world. I want to thank
them for making the event at Trafalgar Square in July 2007 a
memorable success – I was proud of them, especially when
they sang Hum Bolain Mohabbat Ki Zuban with me.
I want to thank them for supporting Pakistan during the
earthquake, and I request all of them to have faith in basic values
and goodness, no matter what.