In a whirlwind of success, Pakistani band AUR had already grow to be a promising younger voice within the native scene with their chart-topping 2023 hit Tu Hai Kahan. Enter 2024 and the band has already come out with a brand new rendition of their observe in an thrilling collab with Zayn Malik.
Comprising Usama Ali, Ahad Khan, and Raffey Anwar, the band sat down with Fuchsia for a candid dialog on their journey, achievements and future plans. As Tu Hai Kahan takes the worldwide stage by storm, right here’s every little thing it’s good to learn about AUR that swayed even the ex-One Course singer with their poignant lyricism and infectious tunes.
For the love of poetry
Whereas Usama and Ahad’s tight-knit affiliation goes again to their early childhood days, their shared love for poetry solely deepened the friendship. “We had been mainly desirous about poetry,” Ahad recounted. “Like once we needed to put captions on Fb or Instagram posts, we’d seek the advice of one another.” Nodding in settlement, Usama added how their creativity drew their pals to them as effectively and they’d gladly information others on learn how to pen their captions eloquently.
AUR first took the musical plunge after they started posting their songs on their YouTube channel. The band members mirrored on all of the laborious work that went into refining their artistic course of. “We began writing 2-Three years earlier than our YouTube channel,” Usama recalled how he would dedicate hours to writing with Ahad whereas going teaching collectively.
The 2 faculty pals praised one teaching teacher, Sir Obaid, for educating them the craft of lyricism. “Shout out to Sir Obaid…he has taught us lots. He gave us the information of rap too,” the buddies expressed their appreciation.
Turning into a band
Becoming a member of the band a lot later, Raffey’s entry into AUR started merely as a sensible choice. “Once we felt that it was time now to start out placing out music, we didn’t have cash,” Ahad disclosed how he and Usama couldn’t afford a studio for recording, thus, setting forth on a seek for a producer. “Raffey was the least costly of all.”
The band members relayed how different producers proposed excessive charges that neither Ahad nor Usama might afford. “It took us six months to avoid wasting up cash for recording,” Usama revealed. Articulating their shock at their luck, AUR members shared how Raffey formally joined the group when he requested precisely the identical sum of money that the duo had delicately gathered.
On a humourous be aware, the interview discovered Raffey placed on the spot after others disclosed how the AUR producer stored them ready for 3 days earlier than lastly seeing them. “It wasn’t my perspective, typically younger artists strategy you and waste your time,” Raffey endeavoured to elucidate whereas his bandmates erupted in laughter.
In the end, it was listening to Usama and Ahad’s lengthy story of ardour and battle that moved Raffey and prompted him to recommend the formation of a band. From paintings to advertising and marketing, the younger producer labored to ossify the younger artists’ platform.
‘Tu Hai Kahan’
Fashioned in 2020, AUR shortly turned a favorite amongst Pakistani music lovers, fascinating hearts with their versatile abilities. Their breakout hit, Tu Hai Kahan, has amassed over 95 million views on YouTube, trending throughout varied social media platforms and incomes them a spot on playlists worldwide.
With their quickly popularizing mix of R&B and Hip Hop parts, AUR famous their disappointment relating to the reception of their hottest track, Tu Hai Kahan, in Pakistan. The band expressed gratitude for the love obtained from India however underlined a relative lack of acknowledgment from their dwelling nation’s business and viewers.
Usama remarked, “We’ve obtained some appreciation from Pakistan and lots from India…Individuals have appreciated in Pakistan too however…they do not tag you. They do not assist you.” The musicians additional described their advanced emotions at having felt extra welcomed by cross-border followers. “The Pakistani business has given us just a little little bit of a troublesome time in accepting (us).”
From Uraan to AUR
For the unversed, the trio was not at all times recognized by AUR. Initially calling themselves Uraan, the band underwent a reputation change to AUR, after discovering themselves entangled in a contractual dispute that would have marked the tip of their musical aspirations.
In response to Ahad, “One particular person made a video of our live performance and uploaded it calling us Uraan The Band. Our title wasn’t Uraan The Band, it was Uraan.” An individual claimed that they had been incomes utilizing his band’s title (Uraan the Band) and demanded a share of their earnings for the subsequent 9 months. The band members highlighted the irony, stating that the person’s band primarily performed at weddings, and his on-line presence was restricted with low subscriber numbers.
Raffey defined the predicament, saying, “He stated, you may give us all of the earnings of the subsequent 9 months. Use my title. We stated we’re not doing it. We’re altering our title.” The particular person, sad with this response, threatened to take down their songs and went on to hold out the risk, briefly erasing their musical creations from public entry.
Reflecting on the difficult interval, AUR’s members contemplated how they nearly stop music if not for the overwhelming assist of their followers.
Navigating fame and past
Regardless of their newfound success, the trio stays humble and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to their music. Raffey, the mastermind behind manufacturing, paintings, and promotions, highlighted the dedication it took to avoid wasting up for his or her first recording, showcasing their unwavering dedication to their craft.
Reflecting on their success, AUR credited their perseverance, laborious work and mutual belief for overcoming difficulties. Their desires of getting 1000’s sing alongside at live shows have grow to be a actuality, and so they take satisfaction in having the ability to present their mother and father with the life-style they as soon as dreamed of.
Trying forward, AUR teased thrilling plans for the long run, together with upcoming live shows, and the promise of extra world music hits. Regardless of their speedy rise, the trio stays grounded and harbours desires of collaborating with business giants comparable to Atif Aslam, Younger Stunners, Drake, and Travis Scott.
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