Nazia and Zoheb

Nazia and Zoheb (Urdu: نازیہ اور زوہیب) were a Pakistani pop duo from Karachi, Sindh formed in 1980. The group consisted of two siblings, Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan (collectively known as Hassans, The Hassans or Hazan). They are regarded as pioneers of the Pakistani pop scene, and were one of the most successful Asian pop duos of all time, selling more than 105 million albums worldwide.

Nazia and Zoheb
Origin	Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
Genres	Pop Pakistani pop
Years active	1980–1992
Labels	EMI Records Sony Music Entertainment Saregama
Past members	Nazia Hassan Zoheb Hassan

The duo initially gained prominence with their single "Aap Jaisa Koi" which was first featured as a soundtrack for the 1980 Indian film Qurbani. They later went on to release their debut album Disco Deewane in 1981 produced by Indian producer Biddu. Disco Deewane became the best selling Asian pop album at the time, charting in 14 countries worldwide and even becoming a hit in countries such as Brazil, Russia, South Africa, and Indonesia. The iconic album helped shape pop music in Pakistan and India as it is seen today. The duo released their second album Boom Boom in 1982 which was the soundtrack for the Bollywood movie Star. After two years, the band recorded their critically acclaimed album Young Tarang in 1983. It was the first album of Pakistan pre-MTV to feature music videos. Nazia and Zoheb released their fourth hit album, Hotline in 1987, which featured the duo's younger sister, Zahra Hassan. The group released their last studio album Camera Camera in 1992, which was written and produced solely by Zoheb.

Before the release of their fifth studio album, Nazia and Zoheb announced that it would be their last album. It did not achieve the same level of success as its predecessors, as Nazia fell drastically ill and they could not promote the CD. Following the album's release, Nazia quit her singing career to focus on her health and personal life. Zoheb went on to pursue his career as an actor/soloist and released his debut album Kismat in 2006.

The group disbanded in the early 1990s, due to the illness of Nazia Hassan. She died of lung cancer in London on the 13th of August 2000, at the age of 35. After her death, Zoheb Hassan also quit his singing career before making a comeback in 2014 with hit songs "Jaana", "Chehra" and "Dheeray Dheeray" for the musical series Coke Studio Pakistan.

History

Early years (1975–1981)

Nazia and Zoheb spent their childhood in Karachi as well as London. In the late 1970s, both siblings participated in "Sang Sang Chalien" and "Kaliyon Ke Mala"; musical shows for children hosted by Sohail Rana. In 1976, Nazia and Zoheb both made a cameo appearance in the Pakistani film Beyond the Last Mountain as extras in a musical scene. Nazia's professional career started at the age of fifteen when she provided lead vocals for the song "Aap Jaisa Koi" from the 1980 film Qurbani. Nazia was introduced to the film's director Feroz Khan by his friend Biddu, an Indian music producer based in the United Kingdom. The song was a success in India. In 1981, Nazia won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Aap Jaisa Koi".

Breakthrough era (1981–1983)

After the success of "Aap Jaisa Koi", Qurbani became a big hit, and Nazia once again collaborated with Biddu and her brother, Zoheb. In 1981, Nazia/Zoheb became the first teen singers to release a pop album. The album was titled "Disco Deewane". The album broke record sales in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, South Africa and even topped the charts in the West Indies, Latin America and Russia. Zoheb composed 6 out of the 10 tracks on the album.

After the release of "Disco Deewane", Nazia and Zoheb were offered the chance to act in a movie by Biddu, but they declined, preferring to focus on their music career. Nazia's second album Star/Boom Boom was released in 1982. The soundtrack of the album was used in the movie Star. The film did not do well at the box office, but the album was successful.

Continued success (1983–1989)

Nazia's third album, Young Tarang, was released in 1983. It was the first album in Pakistan to feature music videos, which were made in London by David and Kathy Rose. The album sold over 40 million copies. "Ankhien Milane Wale", "Zara Chehra" and "Dum Dum Dee Dee" became the most popular songs on the album.

Over thirty years later, an India Today article titled "Nazia makes a lovely comeback" celebrated Nazia Hassan's music appearing in the cult 2012 film, Miss Lovely, which had premiered at the Cannes Film Festival: "The film has made the audience nostalgic over Ahluwalia's use of the song "Dum dum de de" from Hassan's 1984 album, Young Tarang." Miss Lovely director, Ashim Ahluwalia, described keeping the original track untouched: "The song symbolises the '80s and the lyrics of the song were in sync with the mood of the film. [We] retained the original voice of Nazia. We didn't want to remix this song because the original was perfect."

After the release of Young Tarang, Nazia/Zoheb returned to singing for Bollywood movies as playback singers. She sang with legendary Kishore Kumar and Zoheb sang "Mein Aaya Tere Liye" for Govinda.

Nazia's fourth album, Hotline, was released in 1987. "Aa Haan," "Hum aur Tum," "Paisa Paisa" and "Telephone Pyar" were the most popular songs on the album. The songs were later performed on the television program Music 89, which led to Nazia and Zoheb being banned by the Pakistani parliament for promoting youth music and culture which was deemed un-Islamic at that time. Ironically, the show launched the careers of numerous rising bands and singers in Pakistan. Nazia hosted another show, Dhanak, on PTV that same year. By the end of the 1980's, Nazia/Zoheb had become one of the most popular Asian pop singing duos.

Retirement (1990–1995)

In 1991, Nazia and Zoheb recorded their fifth album, Camera Camera. Before the album's release, Nazia and Zoheb announced it would be their last album. The album was released in 1992. This album featured tracks like the Punjabi classic "Taali Dey Thalay." It failed to match the success of their previous albums as Nazia was diagnosed with cancer and they decided not to promote the album.

Nazia's death and beyond (2000–2003)

Nazia Hassan died of lung cancer in London on the 13th of August, 2000 at the age of 35. She was admitted to North Finchley Hospice three days prior as her condition deteriorated. She showed signs of mild recovery the day before she died and it was thought that she would be discharged. But early Sunday morning, her mother, Muneeza, was called to the hospital as her daughter had started coughing heavily. She died within minutes. Nazia is buried at the Muslim Hendon Cemetery in London.

On Saturday, 9th March 2002, Zoheb Hassan organised a tribute concert for his late sister Nazia at the Gymkhana Cricket Ground. Zoheb sang a compilation of his most well-known songs to the crowd. The classic line-up of Vital Signs performed together on stage for the first time in almost 7 years. The concert, which featured over 30 artists and bands, was described by The News International as "one of the best concerts ever seen in Pakistan".

On 23 March 2002, the Government of Pakistan posthumously conferred the Pride of Performance award, the highest civilian award in the country, upon Nazia Hassan. The award was presented to Muniza Basir, Nazia's mother, by the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf in an official ceremony held at Islamabad. Zoheb went on to become the Honorary Advisor to the Governor of Sindh. He also started his own media company, B&H International Pvt. Limited.

In 2003, Nazia's family established the Nazia Hassan Foundation, a charitable organization, in her name.

2006–present

Zoheb Hassan acted in the drama serial "Kismat" in 2006 and released his solo album of the same title. Soon after, he decided to quit his music career to focus on his family's property and media business.

Discography

Albums

Year	Album title
1982	Star / Boom Boom
1983	Young Tarang
1987	Hotline
1992	Camera Camera
1995	Boom Boom Remix
2006	Kismat
2017	Signature

Film soundtracks

Year	Album title
1982	Star
1986	Dilwala
1986	Ilzaam
1987	Sheela
1989	Saaya

Songs

Year	Song Title
	"Guzar Rahi Hai Khazan"
	"Aana Aankhon Mein"
1981	"Our Love Last Forever"
1981	"Dreamer Deewane"
1982	"Get a Little Closer"
1982	"Nigahon Se Durr"
1982	"Halla Gulla"
1982	"Sheela O My Sheela"
1982	"Takta Munni Mana"
1982	"Mein Aya Tere Liye"
1982	"Tonight Pyar Karo"
1988	"Then He Kissed Me"
1988	"Don't Think Twice"
1995	"Ankhien Band Karo"
2002	"Star of Asia"
2002	"Medlay"
2003	"Sathi Ray"
2003	"Khobsorat"

TV appearances

Year	Title	Note
1975	Kaliyon Ki Mala
1977	Sang Sang Chalien
1981	Disco Deewane	BBC Show
1981	Disco Deewane	DD 1
1981	BBC News
1981	Zia Moh-u-Din Show	Channel 4
1981	David Sole
1981	David Essex
1984	Young Tarang Show	DD 1
1984	Aap Ke Liye	PTV on 19 December
1985	PTV Election Transmission
1986	Show Time	PTV
1987	Yes Sir No Sir	PTV
1987	TV Hits
1987	BBC Show
1988	PTV Awards
1988	Then He Kissed ME
1988	Don't Think Twice
1989	Music 89
1989	Dhanak
1990	Aap Ke Mehman
1990	PTV 25
1990	Mehman-i-Khasosi
1990	Studio 2
1990	Kaliyan	1990 to 1991
1992	Eid Show
1993	Eye Witness
1995	Pro Audio Show
1997	Sawaire Sawaire	PTV
1998	PTV World
1999	Zee TV	Nazia Hassan's Last TV Appearance
2000	Zee TV
2002	Tribute Concert to Nazia Hassan
2000	PTV Prime
2002	PTV Nite Time Transmission
2002	PTV Awards
2002	Face of The Year
2002	Black & White	Indus Vision
2003	PTV Ramdan Transmission
2003	Face of The Year
2003	Gaye Ge Dunia Geet Mere	Geo TV
2006	Kismet Show	Geo TV
2007	Hum Morning Show	Hum TV
2007	Marina Morning	ARY Digital
2007	Baat Niklay Gee Tu	ARY Digital
2008	Tribute to Nazia Hassan	Play TV
2008	Nazia Hassan Ke Salgirah	MTV
2008	Subah Sawaire with Shaista	ARY OneWorld
2008	Sunday with Bushra	Geo Entertainment, on 27 April

Remixes

• Get a Little Closer, by Hazan, remixed by Sal Solo.

TV commercials

Year	Title	Note
	Sitara Sapna Lawn
1990	Lipton
1991	Lipton
1992	Lipton
2001	Walls Cornetto
2002	Polio Campaign

TV dramas

1. Kismet (Geo TV, 2006)

See also

• List of Pakistani music bands
• Biddu
• Nermin Niazi and Feisal Mosleh (known for 1984's Disco Se Aagay)