Nazia and Zoheb facts for kids

Nazia and Zoheb (Urdu: نازیہ اور زوہیب) were a super popular Pakistani pop music duo from Karachi, Pakistan. They started making music together in 1980. The group was made up of a brother and sister, Nazia Hassan and Zoheb Hassan. They were known as 'The Hassans' and became huge singing stars and pop icons all over South Asia. Many people see them as the pioneers of Pakistani pop music. They were one of the most successful Asian pop duos ever, selling over 105 million records worldwide!

The duo first became famous with their song "Aap Jaisa Koi". This song was part of the soundtrack for the 1980 Indian film Qurbani. The song was also on their first album, Disco Deewane, released in 1981. An Indian producer named Biddu produced this album. Disco Deewane became the best-selling Asian pop album at the time. It was popular in 14 countries, including Brazil, Russia, South Africa, and Indonesia. This amazing album helped shape pop music in Pakistan and India.

Nazia and Zoheb released their second album, Boom Boom, in 1982. This album was the soundtrack for the Bollywood movie Star. Two years later, in 1983, they released their highly praised album Young Tarang. This was the first album in Pakistan to feature music videos before MTV even existed! Their fourth hit album, Hotline, came out in 1987. Their younger sister, Zahra Hassan, also sang on this album. The group's last studio album was Camera Camera in 1992. Zoheb wrote and produced this album all by himself.

Before their fifth album came out, Nazia and Zoheb announced it would be their last. It didn't become as successful as their earlier albums. This was because Nazia became very ill, and they couldn't promote the album. After the album's release, Nazia stopped singing to focus on her health. Zoheb continued his career as an actor and solo artist. He released his first solo album, Kismat, in 2006.

The group stopped performing in the early 1990s because Nazia Hassan was unwell. She sadly passed away on August 13, 2000, in London at the age of 35. After her death, Zoheb Hassan also stopped singing for a while. However, he made a great comeback in 2014. He released hit songs like "Jaana," "Chehra," and "Dheeray Dheeray" for the music show Coke Studio Pakistan.

Early Music Journey

Nazia and Zoheb grew up in Karachi and London. In the late 1970s, they both sang on popular children's music shows. These shows were called "Sang Sang Chalien" and "Kaliyon Ke Mala." A famous music teacher named Sohail Rana hosted them. In 1976, Nazia and Zoheb also appeared briefly in the Pakistani film Beyond the Last Mountain.

Nazia's professional singing career began when she was just fifteen. She sang the main vocals for the song "Aap Jaisa Koi" in the 1980 film Qurbani. An Indian music producer named Biddu introduced Nazia to the film's director, Feroz Khan. The song was a huge success in India. Even though Nazia was from Pakistan, she became famous overnight there too. In 1981, Nazia won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Aap Jaisa Koi". This was a big achievement!

Becoming Pop Stars

After "Aap Jaisa Koi" became a hit, Nazia worked with Biddu again. This time, her talented brother, Zoheb, joined them. In 1981, Nazia and Zoheb became the first teen singers to release a pop album. It was called "Disco Deewane". This album broke sales records in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. It also topped the music charts in places like the West Indies, Latin America, and Russia. "Disco Deewane" was a massive hit, and Nazia and Zoheb became music legends. Zoheb wrote six of the ten songs on the album. This showed he was a successful singer and songwriter.

After "Disco Deewane" came out, Nazia and Zoheb were offered a chance to act in a movie by Biddu. But they chose to focus on singing instead. Nazia's second album, Star/Boom Boom, was released in 1982. The songs from this album were used in the movie Star. The film itself didn't do well, but the album was super successful. It made Nazia and Zoheb even more iconic in the region.

Continued Success

Nazia's third album, Young Tarang, was released in 1983. This was a groundbreaking album because it was the first in Pakistan to have music videos. These videos were made in London. The album sold over 40 million copies! Young Tarang made Nazia and Zoheb two of the most recognized pop icons in South East Asia. Songs like Ankhien Milane Wale, "Zara Chehra," and "Dum Dum Dee Dee" became very popular from this album.

Many years later, in 2012, a film called Miss Lovely used Nazia Hassan's song "Dum dum de de." This made people feel nostalgic about her music. The director of Miss Lovely said he kept the original song because it perfectly captured the mood of the 1980s.

After Young Tarang, Nazia and Zoheb sang for Bollywood movies again. Nazia sang with the legendary Kishore Kumar. Zoheb sang "Mein Aaya Tere Liye" for the film star Govinda.

Nazia's fourth album, Hotline, was released in 1987. Popular songs from this album included Aa Haan, "Hum aur Tum", "Paisa Paisa," and "Telephone Pyar." These songs were later performed on the TV show Music 89. This show was very important for Pakistani music. It helped launch the careers of many new bands and singers.

Later Years and Legacy

By the end of the 1980s, Nazia and Zoheb were the most popular Asian pop singing duo. Nazia also hosted another TV show called Dhanak in 1989.

In 1991, Nazia and Zoheb recorded their fifth album, Camera Camera. Before the album's release, they announced it would be their last. The album came out in 1992. It featured hits like the Punjabi song "Taali Dey Thalay." However, it wasn't as successful as their previous albums. This was because Nazia was facing health challenges, and they decided not to promote the album.

Nazia Hassan passed away in London on August 13, 2000, at the age of 35. She was buried at the Muslim Hendon Cemetery in London.

On March 9, 2002, Zoheb Hassan organized a special concert to honor his late sister, Nazia Hassan. It was held at the Gymkhana Cricket Ground in front of 10,000 people. Zoheb sang many of his hits to an excited crowd. The famous band Vital Signs also performed together for the first time in almost seven years. This concert was considered one of the best ever seen in Pakistan.

On March 23, 2002, the Government of Pakistan gave Nazia Hassan the highest civilian award, the Pride of Performance. The award was given to her mother by the President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf. Zoheb later became an advisor to the Governor of Sindh. He organized big festivals like "Sindh Festival" and "Pakistan UK Connect Expo."

In 2003, Nazia's family started the Nazia Hassan Foundation. This charity continues her efforts to help others and make the world a better place.

In 2006, Zoheb Hassan acted in a TV drama called Kismat. He also released his solo album with the same title that year. Soon after, he decided to step away from music to focus on his family's business.

Music Albums

Film Soundtracks

Popular Songs

TV Appearances

TV Commercials

TV Dramas

• Kismet (Geo TV, 2006)