Junaid Jamshed


Junaid Jamshed (Urdu: جنید جمشید; born September 3, 1964) is a Pakistani recording artist who gained fame as the frontman of the pop group, Vital Signs in 1987 with the hit song, Dil Dil Pakistan, and remained in demand throughout the 1990s. In 1994, he released his debut solo album, Junaid of Vital Signs, which also quickly became a national hit, followed by Us Rah Par in 1999 and Dil Ki Baat in 2002.


Early life and education

Junaid Jamshed is the son of Group Captain (retd) Jamshed Akber Khan and Nafeesa Akber Khan. His father was a Pakistan Air Force officer. He belongs to a Pashtun and Urdu-speaking family. Jamshed studied pre-engineering courses in PAF College in Karachi before joining University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore. Though, he applied to join Pakistan Air Force but later moved on to a career in Aeronautical Engineering due to his weak eye sight.[1]

Music career

Vital Signs

Though the Vital Signs were launched in early 1986 in Rawalpindi by Rohail Hyatt and Shahzad Hasan (Shahi), it was a while later when Jamshed, then a young aeronautical engineering student from Lahore, joined them as their lead singer.[2] Though their hit debut single, Dil Dil Pakistan, released on 14 August 1987, skyrocketed them into fame, the song's success was not seen by him as something that would turn him into a professional musician. Jamshed, who wanted to become a professional engineer, initially didn't want to have anything to do with music other than just treating it as a hobby.[2]

However, Rohail and Shahzad soon managed to convince him otherwise.[3] After a string of chart topping songs, the band split in 1994 and Jamshed began his solo career, achieving even more success.[4]

Solo career

Jamshed released his first solo album, Junaid of Vital Signs in 1994. The album's name was later changed to Tumhara Aur Mera Naam. This was followed by Us Rah Par in 1999. Us Rah Par went on to become one of the best selling albums of that year. The album included several hit numbers such as, Us Rah Par, Na Tu Ayegi, Aankhon Ko Aankhon Ney and O Sanama. In 2000, Jamshed released his next album, The Best of Junaid Jamshed, which contained remixes of some of the hit singles of the Vital Signs era. His last solo album, Dil Ki Baat, was released in 2001.

In 2003, BBC World Service conducted an international poll to choose ten most famous songs of all time. Around 7000 songs were selected from all over the world. According to BBC, people from 155 countries/territories voted in the poll. Dil Dil Pakistan was ranked third among the top 10 songs.[5]

Devotion to Islam

In 2004, Jamshed renounced music and devoted his life to Islam.[6] He is now an active member of the Islamic preaching Tablighi Jamaat. He is also noted for opening a clothing store selling Khaadis (a form of Kurta-Shalwar).

Influence

Jamshed has been both the indicator and agent of shifts in Pakistani youth culture. In 1987 he took Pakistani media by storm with his band's hit patriotic number Dil Dil Pakistan, viewed as one of the most popular songs of all time. This was a turning point in Pakistan's music history which ushered in a new era of pop musical bands and produced many fine singers and musicians. These bands represented and inspired the youth. Fourteen years later, the September 11 attacks and the consequent Afghan war radicalized many youngsters and again Jamshed was first to represent and encourage that change. He renounced popular music, claiming it to be Haraam[2], and devoted a significant amount of his time to preaching Islam.[7] Jamshed now sings Urdu and English nasheeds.

Charity work

Junaid Jamshed is also actively involved in charity work and has been associated with the Muslim Charity since 2003. Under the leadership of Junaid Jamshed Muslim Charity has achieved a great deal in the last few years and expanded its operations to 16 countries.

Discography

Solo albums

Haamd-o-Naat Albums

Awards and honours

Hit singles

  • Dil Dil Pakistan
  • Multazim Par
  • Tum Milgaey
  • Goray Rang Ka Zamana
  • Sanwali Saloni
  • Aitebaar
  • Tumhara Aur Mera Naam
  • Pehli Dharkan
  • Jo Kehna Hai
  • Mehndi Ki Raat
  • Aankhon Ko Aankhon Ne
  • Us Rah Par
  • Na Tu Aaegi
  • Dil Ki Baat
  • Yaarian
  • Tum Kehti Ho
  • Yeh Shaam

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