Out now: Zubair Ilyas releases new single

Singer-pianist working on music video of ‘Kaun Kehta Hai’

LAHORE: Singer-pianist Zubair Ilyas has released a new single. Addressing a media conference at Lahore Press Club, the musician, who is now settled in Singapore, said Kaun Kehta Hai is his own composition.

Flanked by music producer M Arshad and former Radio Pakistan deputy controller Ahmad Sheikh, Ilyas said the music has been arranged by Inzamam Inzi. “The song has a unique blend of Eastern and Western influences and will surely click with audiences,” he said.

While the audio track has been launched under the banner of his company Mosiqar Entertainment, work on the video is still under way.

Ilyas is a seasoned performer who has been part of the industry for 14 years now.

Talking with Express Tribune, Ilyas said he started learning music at an early age. “In 2003, I had secured third position in a renowned music competition called Music Challenge. I secured first position at the provincial level.” Ilyas then enrolled at the London College of Music to obtain a professional degree in the subject. “I have been performing and also teaching music in Singapore. There are many foreigners who want to learn Urdu singing.”

Ilyas is also a visiting faculty member at several music schools in the island country. An able piano and guitar player, Ilyas also plays sessions on the side.

“I have been working with Indian, Bengali, Nepali, Malaysian and Thai musicians and have performed at various concerts around the world,” he said, adding that he did have an offer on the table to release the song in India.

“I want to do something for the Pakistani music industry. I established Mosiqar Entertainment for the promotion of local artists.” He expressed the desire to help any artists who wants to release music through his company.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2016.

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