Famous Pakistani singer, songwriter, and music composer Abdullah Qureshi recently sat down for an interview with Lens by ProPakistani. If you want to get to know theĀ Fasana singer a little better, we’ve got you covered.
In the interview, the 27-year-old musician revealed interesting details about the music industry as well as fun facts about himself. Do you know what the popular artist thinks of the infamous PSL song, Groove Mera? No? Well, in this exclusive interview, you might find everything you’re looking for on Abdullah Qureshi.
Abdullah released his debut song back in 2012 – the song Tere Liye has garnered over 876 thousand views on YouTube. In the span of 8 years since the songster joined the Pakistani music industry, his fame from singing covers to writing his own songs, and now singing live in concerts around the country.
Currently, he stands with 67.4 thousand followers on his YouTube channel and over 111 thousand followers on his Instagram account. What some consider to be an overnight success was a result of hard work, determination, and his passion for music.
Here’s everything Abdullah Qureshi shared with us:
1. Youāre quite popular in the Pakistani media industry, but how would you introduce yourself to someone who hasnāt discovered your music yet?
I would describe myself as a versatile musician. Thatās something that Iāve explored over the years because when I started out I was only doing covers and then later on when I started writing my original music, I realized that every song was different from the others (genre-wise). Iāve done pop, rock, country, electronic, classical and so on. So I think āversatileā is the right word to describe myself as a musician.
2. From singing covers to writing originals, and now singing live in front of thousands of fans – youāve come a really long way. What is the one thing that kept you going besides your love for music?
I think itās the love that you get from the audience. When someone comes up to you and tells you how your song has affected them, that feeling is out of this world. It doesnāt have to do anything with fame because Iām not fame-hungry at all, I actually feel uncomfortable getting recognized in public sometimes. Itās about the emotional connection that you make with a listener because I remember growing up, I connected with music the same way that people connect with my music today.
3. We all have that song we keep going back to, no matter what. If you had to pick one song that you could listen to for the rest of your life, which one would you pick?
Has to be Gravity by John Mayer.
4. Weāve heard many originals from you- which one is your most favorite and why?
Dastaan. Itās because I feel Iāve put a lot of emotion into it while writing and secondly I love the video. I think Usman Mukhtar has done an amazing job directing it, itās very unconventional and experimental.
5. Do you have any advice for young, upcoming artists to help them through their struggling phase in life?
Focus on the craft instead of the number of followers. If your work is honest, it will go places.
6.Ā Pakistani music industry has changed a lot over the past decade. Whatās the one thing you wish hadnāt changed.
I think the concept of liking and disliking on social media has really messed things up. Back in the days, no one could go and officially dislike a song, either you used to listen to it or you just didnāt. What happens is, even if someone likes something and they see other people disliking it, they end up jumping on the bandwagon.
7. On a lighter note, if you could choose between singing for the rest of your life or playing an instrument for the rest of your life, what would you pick?
Iād pick playing the drums for the rest of my life. I know I have a drummer inside of me, I play the drum parts on most of my songs myself and I think if someone had guided me properly when I was a kid, I might have become a drummer.
Also, I donāt like talking to people much, so I find discomfort in interacting with the crowd at concerts, if I was a drummer, I wouldnāt have to do that.
8. Fans really want to know how you feel about the on-going frenzy over this yearās official PSL anthem. Whatās your most and least favorite thing about āGroove Meraā?
I love it. I think itās fresh and it has opened up a whole new conversation for the masses, at least everyone knows what āgrooveā actually is now.
Most favorite thing: Naseebo Laal
Least favorite thing: The hate it received
9. Talking about the PSL anthem, we are curious to know why you havenāt collaborated with a Pakistani rapper yet. Perhaps fans could do with Abdullah Qureshi x Young Stunners collab, what do you think?
There is one in the pipeline, wait for it!
10. We absolutely love the anthem for Islamabad United. Although it was released 3 years ago, you were featured in the music video this time. What does that mean to you in terms of your music career?
It was definitely big for me. Representing my hometown on such a level where itās on TV all the time and playing in the stadiums throughout the series, is truly an honor for me and something that Iām really proud of.
11. What is THE DREAM for a Pakistani artist such as yourself?
The dream is to travel the world and to get my music played across the globe.
TheĀ Na Javeen singer is one of the few artists who value the art of music and is not in it for fame. He is on his way to becoming a household name and we’re excited to see him excel even further in his music career.
We can’t wait to find out which Pakistani rapper Abdullah Qureshi will collaborate with! What about you? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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