UK Pakistani Singer Lands Album Deal

NINE years ago, Huddersfield singer Naveed Yasin began a study of music that has taken him all over the world.

Now, his hard work has paid off and he’s landed a record deal with Manchester-based bhangra label Supreme Dream Records.

Naveed, 20, goes under the moniker NAV which stands for Nu Asian Vibe.

He’s at present recording his debut album, still untitled.

The whole record has been composed by Naveed, of Thornton Lodge.

He also plays some of the instruments.

Naveed said: “We expect the album to be out early next year. It’s taken a while because I wanted to ensure everything’s of the best quality. All the right people are lined up and once they’re in place, we can start moving .”more

Hard work and planning have shaped Naveed’s career.

But it was by chance that he discovered his talent, aged 11, when a family friend heard him sing.

He said: “She said I should develop my skills. Since then I got into music.”

Naveed began training with acclaimed Indian vocalist, Suresh.

Then, when he was 13 he moved to New York for a year to be trained by Nazakat Ali Khan.

Naveed said: “He’s a very popular coach and has worked with lots of famous singers. It was a very different change from Huddersfield.”

Back in Huddersfield, Naveed began to learn how to play instruments. He studied the tabla, the dhol and the harmonium.

He said: “I developed skills so I could play different styles of Asian music – bhangra, gawali and sufism.

“In every track I am putting in my opinions but also including the perspectives of other people.”

Naveed began testing his skills by performing in Huddersfield, supporting internationally-known musicians.

These included Rahim Shah, Apna Sangeet and Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi.

He said: “Performing with Anpa Sangeet was amazing because my parents used to listen to them. It was a big honour.”

Then, the first qualification in Asian music, a Btec National Diploma, came in and Naveed decided to take the course in Rochdale.

He said: “I wanted to put my knowledge to test.”

By the time he finished, Naveed was creating a buzz among bhangra record labels, leading to Surpreme Dream Records signing him in 2003.

To see how the public would like his music, Supreme Dream placed two of Naveed’s songs on a compilation album called Lovin’ It.

Naveed said: “It got recognition in Pakistan through the internet, which is how a lot of people listen to UK music over there.

“They decided I had potential and asked me to do an album.”

Though Naveed’s star is rising, he is well aware of how fickle the industry can be. His back-up plan is a law degree at Huddersfield University. He is currently in his first year.

He said: “The music for me is a hobby, which I have now taken to a more professional level.

“But at the end of the day, I want something to fall back on.”

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