Latest news with #NatashaBaig
Khaleej Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Pakistani singer Natasha Baig talks the heart and hustle behind her music
In Pakistan's ever-fluctuating pop landscape, few female artists have carved a lasting space for themselves. While the country continues to revere icons like Nazia Hassan and Hadiqa Kiani, singers like Natasha Baig have been quietly yet powerfully pushing the boundaries of what a female pop star can be. From her electrifying live Sufi rock renditions to her memorable performances on Coke Studio, she has struck a chord with audiences hungry for both authenticity and innovation. She acknowledges that being a vocalist is no easy feat. It's a relentless grind to deliver powerful performances, stay relevant, and remain financially sustainable in an ever-evolving music industry. Unlike acting, where one breakout role can define a career, the world of music, especially for vocalists, demands unwavering consistency, versatility, and an endless well of creative energy. Add songwriting into the mix, and the challenge multiplies. Crafting a memorable song or album often means sifting through countless drafts before finding the perfect words and melodies. It is a craft that calls for patience, introspection, and a mind that is constantly switched on. Recently, she lit up the stage in Dubai, performing at the Pakistani Independence Day celebrations at the Expo Centre Dubai and the Global Encounters Festival 2025. In conversation with City Times, the rockstar pulled back the curtain on her creative process, reflecting on what success truly means to her, how her passive riyaz keeps her sharp, and how her live performances win over audiences every time she takes the stage. Excerpts from the interview… On going beyond social media metrics It frustrates me sometimes. I don't believe a song's worth should be defined primarily by these metrics. I grew up in an era when such digitisation didn't exist, and by the time my turn came, the landscape had shifted completely. At first, I resisted it, but eventually I accepted that this is the new way of working. Still, I make sure I don't fall into the trap and stay true to my art. It is no secret that with the right PR push, even a subpar song can go viral. That's why I never judge a track purely by its numbers. I have to actually listen to it before deciding if it belongs on my playlist. Just because it has racked up millions of views doesn't mean it will become my favourite by default. Remember, there is a fine line between what is popular and what is memorable. Viral is not always valuable. On the real test of a singer Technology can fix a lot these days, and there is no harm in tidying up the loose ends. But in my view, a singer's true longevity comes only from being strong at live performances. The real test is your ability to hold an audience in a concert. In the studio, you can re-record, fix mistakes, or even start from scratch. On stage, there is no hiding; you are judged instantly. If you can ace an auditorium, you are made for this. We have all experienced songs that sound perfect in the car on Spotify, but when heard live, the reality feels very different. My forte is live singing. One of the reasons I feel I am cut out for this is because I deliver on stage. I have performed in front of a crowd of 60,000 at Expo and I have also sung in a room with only 10 people listening. My honesty remains the same in both settings. On Coke Studio focusing more on visuals than the traditional studio setting To be honest, I initially thought the same way. After all, that was the original format. But maybe if they had kept it exactly the same, monotony would have set in, and perhaps we wouldn't have had chart-toppers like Blockbuster or Tu Jhoom, where the visuals truly made an impact. So I adapted my thinking. Maybe the latest Coke Studio resonates more with Gen Z, which is the future. I'm not against the current format, but personally, I don't prefer music videos for my songs. Sometimes, a bad music video can kill a good song or shift the focus away from the singer. With so many singers emerging through various mediums, it is hard to put a face to a name. When a music video is made, it should do justice to both the song and the singer. After all, a song is a singer's battlefield, and I believe the impact gets diluted only when visuals start overshadowing the music. On what really moves her in music My playlist is a mix of everything. Like I said, I don't always go for the popular tracks. For me, the musical instruments used matter a lot. I listen to different languages, and I'm driven more by melody or tune than lyrics, even though my job is to sing the lyrics. It's the melody that catches me first. From Bollywood to retro, from Mehdi Hassan Sahab to Noor Jehan Ji, to Side B tracks that are mostly hidden gems, I enjoy them all. Sometimes I do feel left out when the world is catching up with AP Dhillon or Karan Aujla, but I like only some of their songs and appreciate their music. Still, I remain loyal to the tracks that truly resonate with me. Lately, I have been listening mostly to instrumentals, especially the hand-held ones played by Maltin, because they keep me creative and energised. Instrumentals are not dependant on the language and thus feel more universal to me. On behind the scenes: performance prep and Riyaz I used to take a lot of precautions before performing and would always worry about my vocal cords. I'd avoid certain foods and gargle regularly to keep them in good shape. But over time, I realised that much of it's mental control. Now, my ritual is to say a prayer before going on stage. Once the sound-check and rehearsals are done, I just relax backstage, talk to people, and trust my muscle memory. As for riyaz, I do more passive practice than active. I spend a lot of time listening. I even got validation for this approach from Shilpa Rao in one of her interviews where she said you can learn just as much by focusing on listening. I'm not a trained singer, so I rely more on my subconscious and sing instinctively. Though I wish I had an ustad, my experience wasn't very rewarding. Many tried to change my voice, which I wasn't willing to do. Instead, I learned a lot being part of the ensemble 'Sounds of Kolachi' led by my mentor Ahsan Bari, which beautifully blended ragas with western music. On music's deep bond with pain I believe pain is something you can't fake. It's one of the most common and genuine emotions we all experience. Humans connect because, deep down, we're each battling our own demons. Some conquer them, some are still fighting, and some have sadly given up. We've all been through this struggle. Pain drives us to express ourselves more deeply and often becomes a way to heal. Historically, people tend to gravitate toward melancholic or slow songs rather than heavier, more upbeat ones. The songs that linger longest are usually tied to the loss of a loved one or a memory that's hard to let go. There is a line in one song: ' Dard jab hadh se guzarta hai toh ga lete hein.' Truer words were never spoken.
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
Expo City Draws Massive Crowds for Pakistan's Independence Day
Expo City Dubai turned into a sea of green and white on Sunday as tens of thousands of Pakistanis from across the UAE gathered to mark their nation's 78th Independence Day in what organisers call the biggest celebration of its kind in the world. Crowds travelled from Abu Dhabi to the Northern Emirates, flocking to the Dubai Exhibition Centre for the day-long festivities. The program — set to run until midnight — features a star-studded lineup including Pakistani music icon Sahir Ali Bagga, acclaimed Sufi rock singer Natasha Baig, and celebrated storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere are folk performances, cultural exhibitions, art displays, and traditional food stalls, showcasing Pakistan's rich heritage and the enduring friendship between Pakistan and the UAE. A Record-Breaking Celebration 'This will be the biggest Pakistan Independence Day celebration in the world,' said Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's Envoy to the UAE. 'Over 60,000 people have already registered to participate in this mega event. Artists, performers, and singers from Pakistan, representing all four provinces along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, will showcase Pakistan's diverse cultural heritage through music, dance, cuisine, and traditional attire.' Last year's event at Dubai World Trade Centre drew 15,000 attendees, prompting organisers to move to a much larger venue this year to accommodate the overwhelming interest. Organisers & Support The celebration is spearheaded by Emirates Loves Pakistan, a platform dedicated to highlighting the success stories of the Pakistani community in the UAE, in collaboration with the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) and with support from Dubai Police. To ensure smooth logistics, hundreds of volunteers are on-site, managing crowd flow, directing visitors to designated parking areas, and assisting those arriving via public transport. A Community United Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, praised the organisers for their efforts and acknowledged the 1.7 million-strong Pakistani diaspora in the UAE for their contributions to the nation's growth. He also urged the community to 'continue observing local laws, respecting the norms and policies of the host country.' With music, food, and cultural pride filling the air, the event stands as a testament to the deep-rooted ties between Pakistan and the UAE, while giving the younger generation a reason to celebrate their heritage in style.
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Over 60,000 registered to attend Pakistan Independence Day celebrations in Expo City
Thousands of Pakistanis across the UAE thronged Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai on Sunday to celebrate the South Asian country's 78th Independence Day. People all the way from Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates flocked to Expo City to join the celebrations. The day-long programme will continue until midnight, featuring live performances by Pakistan's national superstar Sahir Ali Bagga, acclaimed Sufi rock singer Natasha Baig, and celebrated storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi. Cultural displays, folk performances, art exhibitions, and traditional food stalls are also part of the celebrations, reflecting the rich heritage of Pakistan and the enduring friendship between Pakistan and the UAE. The event is held by 'Emirates Loves Pakistan' — a platform dedicated to sharing inspiring content that highlights the success stories and contributions of the Pakistani community in the UAE. Organised in collaboration with the Pakistan Association in Dubai, and with support from Dubai Police, the celebration is intended to facilitate the participation of the Pakistani community in the UAE in marking their national Independence Day. 'Emirates Loves Pakistan' has been organising the Pakistan Independence Day celebrations over the past few years to further strengthen bilateral ties between the two brother nations. The UAE already houses over 1.7 million Pakistani diaspora, working in various fields and services. In order to manage the crowd, hundreds of volunteers have been recruited to facilitate the celebrations at Expo City. Designated parking has been allocated for the visitors along with public transport to get people to the venue from the parking. Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's Envoy to the UAE, expressed profound gratitude to the UAE government for its participation in this momentous occasion. Tirmizi highlighted the significance of the occasion, stating, 'This will be the biggest Pakistan Independence Day celebration in the world. Over 60,000 people have already registered to participate in this mega event. Artists, performers, and singers from Pakistan, representing all four provinces along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, will showcase Pakistan's diverse cultural heritage through music, dance, cuisine, and traditional attire,' he said. He noted that last year's event at Dubai World Trade Centre attracted 15,000 attendees, prompting the organisers to move to a much larger venue this year to accommodate the overwhelming public response. Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, extended special thanks to Emirates Loves Pakistan and PAD for their dedicated efforts in organising the event. He praised the contributions of the Pakistani community to the UAE's development and urged them to continue observing local laws, respecting the norms and policies of the host country.
Business Recorder
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Recorder
Dubai to hold Pakistan Independence Day celebration on August 10
Dubai is set to celebrate Pakistan's 78th Independence Day on August 10, expecting to bring together more than 40,000 members of the Pakistani community at Expo City, reported Gulf News on Monday. Sahir Ali Bagga, singer and composer, Natasha Baig, Sufi-rock artist from Hunza and Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, poet and visual artist, are set to perform at the event. Pakistani film star Humayun Saeed and former national cricket team captain Sana Mir are also slated to attend. Organised by Emirates Loves Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD), the event titled 'Jashn-e-Azaadi Pakistan 2025' will be held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City. The event will take place from 11am to 11pm, offering a full day of cultural activities, entertainment, and community engagement, added the report. UAE assures full cooperation on easing visa process for Pakistanis The event is set to highlight the richness of Pakistan's culture, heritage, and artistic traditions. Organisers describe the celebration as a tribute to Pakistan's past, present, and future, and a day of unity for the UAE-based Pakistani community. Guests in attendance are slated to include: Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence; Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE; Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan; and Dr Faisal Ikram, PAD President. It will also comprise of an awards ceremony where prominent Pakistani individuals and community leaders will be honoured for their contributions. The awards will be presented by Sheikh Nahyan. The event has free entry for all.
