MUMBAI: Sufi music sensation Qurat-Al-Ain Balouch, better known by her stage name ‘QB’, has been creating waves on the Pakistani music scene for a few years now. QB is set to take her unique contemporary Sufi sounds across the globe. Today, 22 July she released her brand new single ‘Saaiyaan’ under EMI Records India. Produced by Salman Albert, written by famed Punjabi Sufi poet Bullen Shah, this beautiful rock ballad is certainly one of the finest Sufi compositions in recent times.
The video for the single ‘Saaiyaan’, shot in Lahore showcases the city’s breathtaking heritage architecture. The poignant story portrays the ordeals faced in romance and the relationship shared between two passionate lovers as they deal with the pain that comes with the bitter end of their love.
Interestingly QB has already gained popularity in India by lending her voice to ‘Woh Humsafar Tha’, the title track from the highly-acclaimed Pakistani TV show ‘Humsafar’ starring Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan. She received global recognition for this track and also won Pakistan’s Youngest Achievement Award UK and Europe 2011, as well as Song of the Year and Best Original Soundtrack at the ‘Lux Style Awards’ 2012.
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Speaking about the release, Qurat-Al-Ain Balouch said, “It’s a pleasure to be associated with EMI Records India. Music is universal and that’s what labels are doing now in this digital era. ‘Saaiyaan’ is a pure Sufi rock ballad, taken from the none other than Bulleh Shah context. Personally, the Kalam is the depiction of the human significance. Salman Albert (music producer) has done a great job at keeping the contemporary feel. I hope people will find relevance and like the Sufi-rock feel.”
QB took the music industry by storm with her debut cover of Reshma’s ‘Akhiyan nu rehn de’ in 2011 and made an impact on her audience with her signature husky, tuneful vocals. She caught the attention of listeners for the distinct texture of her voice and its rawness in her first single track ‘Bewafaiyaan’, which talks about loyalty, adherence, and passion. She made her debut in ‘Coke Studio- Season 4’ with a duet with ‘Jal- The Band’ on ‘Tere Ishq Main’ which made her an internet sensation and one of the most sought after singers the country has to offer. In her second appearance on the platform, in Season 8, QB shared the floor with Umair Jaswal on yet another track where her soaring undertone voice established her as a real crooner.
The highly-acclaimed singer exemplifies the eclectic sound of contemporary Pakistani pop music, with influences of Jazz, Rock, and Sufi Folk and her popularity crossed boundaries after she represented Pakistan in a live performance with the Philharmonic Orchestra at the BBC Asian Network’s Queens of Melody. She also made a wild card entry for the band Euphoria against Pakistan’s winners Strings in Sound Clash UAE 2014 and went on to win the Lifetime Achievement Award at a young age of 25 at the Pakistani-Canadian Cultural Association British Columbia in the City of Bhangra Festival’s 10th Anniversary in Vancouver, Canada.
Universal Music Group, South Asia Managing Director and CEO, Devraj Sanyal said, “QB is an incredible talent! Her voice is simply out of this world and more importantly she’s the whole package – great voice, looks fabulous and a brilliant performer. With her contemporary approach, QB breaks the conventional perception of a `Sufi’ artiste. We are confident that through EMI Records India, QB will introduce Sufi to a whole new generation, well beyond the traditional territories of this great genre of music”.
‘Saaiyaan’ is available across all digital platforms worldwide exclusively on EMI Records India.
Watch the video here:
