Image Courtesy: Google Doodle
Nazia Hassan (3 April 1965 – 13 August 2000) was a Pakistani singer-songwriter, lawyer, and social activist. Referred to as the Queen of South Asian pop. She and her brother Zoheb Hassan, have sold over 65 million records worldwide.
Life and Career
Hassan was born in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, on 3 April 1965 and brought up in Karachi and London.
She met London producer Kumar at the age of 15 and recorded a Bollywood hit, “Aap jaisa koi” for the blockbuster “Qurbani.” The song catapulted her into stardom and won her a Filmfare award. From there, Hassan and her brother released a number of albums, including “Boom Boom” in 1982 and “Young Tarang” in 1984. She was the first Pakistani singer to reach the British charts with her English version of “Disco Deewane”, called “Dreamer Deewane.”
Hassan was not only a talented singer, but also a devoted scholar and humanitarian. Using her law degree, she worked at the U.N. as well as for UNICEF. She was passionate about the rights of young people, and often took the time to visit impoverished schools in Pakistan. Her life was tragically cut short by lung cancer at the age of 35. She died on 13 August 2000 in London.
Award and Legacy
Nazia Hassan was a Pakistani pop singer-songwriter and activist who rose to fame in the 1980s. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential singers in the history of Pakistani music. Here are some of the awards and honors she received, as well as her lasting legacy:
- Best Female Pop Singer award at the first-ever South Asian Music Awards in 1982
- Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan in 2002 (posthumously)
Nazia Hassan’s debut album, “Disco Deewane,” released in 1981, is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential albums in the history of Pakistani music. It was the first album by a Pakistani artist to be successful internationally.
She paved the way for other female pop singers in Pakistan and inspired a generation of musicians. Her music and activism were instrumental in promoting women’s rights and empowering women in Pakistan. Her music continues to be popular and influential in Pakistan and around the world, and she is remembered as an icon and a trailblazer in the music industry.
On 3 April 2018, Google celebrated Nazia Hassan’s 53rd Birthday with a doodle.