Atif Aslam (Urdu: عاطف اسلم, born Mohammad Atif Aslam; 12 March 1983 in Wazirabad, Gujranwala, Pakistan) is a Pakistani pop singer. He is widely recognized in South Asia and has given several hit songs such as Aadat, Woh Lamhe, Tere Bin, Kuch Is Tarah, Pehli Nazar Mein, Tera Hone Laga Hoon, Tu Jaane Na, Tere Liye, Meri Kahani and Jalpari. He is best known for his powerful vocal belting technique. In 2008, he was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the Government of Pakistan.
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 used to be the main attack bowler of his college cricket team and represented his college in various other cities and ultimately got selected in under 19 National cricket team of Pakistan. 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.[1]
Aslam is single and lives in Lahore, Pakistan with his family.
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 on ARY Digital and The Musik and then it was played on almost all the channels.
Solo career
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.[2] 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.
Aslam began work on his fourth album Shabnam in January 2009 which was completed on early 2010. He announced plans to release the album on October 2010 to The Daily Express but due to the country's on-going flood problem, he decided to postpone the project further. In a November 2010 interview he said, "I'm working on the Guns n' Roses international project and a NGO [project] so I have no time at the moment to work on release my album".
Atif also mentioned in a press conference held in Karachi that he will be working on an international project titled The Dreamer Awakes, alongside American rock band Guns n' Roses. The song will be released in Summer 2011.
Bollywood
Atif has also sung many songs for Bollywood films, like Pehli Nazar Mein in Race, Tere Bin in Bas Ek Pal, Bakuda Tum Hi Ho in Kismat Konnection, Tera Hone Laga Hoon and Tu Jaane Na in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, all of which have been very well-received by the Indian audience.
His last Indian venture was Prince in which he sang four songs, Tere Liye, Aa Bhi Ja Sanam, Kaun Hoon Main and O Mere Khuda.
He also performed background vocals for scenes in Prince.
Hollywood
Atif Aslam's three songs featured in the Hollywood film, Man Push Cart.[3] While Aadat is the main track, Ehsaas and Yaqeen are the other tracks. These songs are taken from his debut album, Jalpari. Atif is the 3rd Pakistani singer after Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Strings to be featured in any Hollywood movie.[4]
Acting career
Atif is expected to make his acting debut in the second film of well acclaimed Pakistani director Shoaib Mansoor. The film titled Bol is set to release in 2010. The film will also star famous Pakistani TV anchor Mahira Khan. Atif plays the role of a doctor in the film.[5] The film has completed shooting and is now proceeding with its post production works. According to reports, Atif will play a supporting role of a doctor, whilst another newcomer will play the lead role in the film.
Controversies
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, Wo Lamhey, Rangon Mein and Dil Harey, an unofficial war over rights began between both the groups. Goher Mumtaz sued Atif for using the name Jal in his album title cunningly (Jal Pari, meaning mermaid).
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