Abbas Hasan is known as the French heart throb of the Asian music scene. Winner of prestigious 2015 ‘Artist of the Year’ award in his native Canada, and named one of the Top 10 Asian Artists to Watch by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)
you & me
Abbas Hasan is known as the French heart throb of the Asian music scene. Winner of prestigious 2015 ‘Artist of the Year’ award in his native Canada, and named one of the Top 10 Asian Artists to Watch by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Abbas Hasan, is already making waves across continents. His French, Spanish and other multi-lingual flavours along with his musical talent and looks make him a very unique artist.
Born in Canada and raised in Paris, France, the young star burst onto the scene after signing with legendary Indian-Brit producer Rishi Rich, who is best known for his work with Jay Sean and Britney Spears among others. Since then, Abbas Hasan has caused a stir across the international stage and is also an ambassador for the Pan-Asian International Film & Music Awards (PAIFMA), and a brand ambassador for British-Italian luxury fashion brand Mastrioni as well as New York based innovative watch and lifestyle company Nooka. Subsequently the multilingual star toured across Europe alongside Bollywood songstress Shreya Ghoshal, and his recent videos starring top Indian and Pakistani actresses received international acclaim through press all the way from India to Canada. Recently, the award-winning pop sensation Abbas Hasan has signed a record deal with ZEE Music India.
In an exclusive interview with You! this Canadian-French star, often dubbed as Asia’s answer to Justin Bieber, talks about his life, music, likes & dislikes...
As a young kid growing up in Paris, France, I was surrounded by lots of different musical and artistic influences and then I was selected by Disney studios for various recording work. From those experiences of being in studio and on set at a very young age, I think it became clear that this was the world I belonged in. Then fast-forward a bit and getting signed by Rishi Rich really set things in motion.
I’ve always been termed a pop artist, because I think these days pop can be anything from electro music to unplugged acoustic to even ghazals!
My first song to hit Number 1 on the charts was ‘Sona’ and then ‘Habibi’. But I guess in Pakistan, my video for ‘Away’ starring Humaima Malick was the first song to reach the public.
There have been so many highlights, it’s hard to choose - performing with Shahrukh Khan in Germany or the Shreya Ghoshal tour across Europe. But I guess performing at the Times of India Film Awards in front of thirty-five thousand people including all my peers from the film world was definitely an unforgettable experience.
I prefer releasing singles. Every song has a different energy, a different story behind it and a different attitude. I treat them all as mini-films.
I haven’t collaborated with Coke Studio yet. But stay tuned...
A lot of new music and maybe some surprises.
Depends on where I’m going. Generally I go for something simple like t-shirts and jeans. Otherwise for shows and events I’m inspired by avant-garde designers creating something more unusual and unexpected.
Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Tom Ford. I’m usually a little biased towards French designers!
I don’t really believe in favourites because I think the beauty of music is all the different forms that it comes in. I do love artists very different from myself such as Abida Parveen or Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
A. R. Rahman. 
Again, I don’t really have an icon but I really respect artists such as David Bowie, Michael Jackson, Prince, Madonna... These artists helped define the pop performance industry and set the standard for creativity, and what pop music can represent.
I love my fans. I have the best fans in the world. Over time you get used to the attention but it’s always special to see my fans in person so I always try and reach out and reply to my fans on social media.
My creativity.
My gym addiction. I need to have some sort of fitness activity in my life!
Real.
Artificial or phoney.
Friends and people I love.
Losing people that matter to me.
The people around me. My friends and family.
Hmm... I can’t think of a favourite. I liked ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dubara’.
Not really. I like to shop as much as anyone else but I can think of a lot of other things I would rather do.
When people ask you silly questions.
I put on some loud music and take a hot shower. Nothing like it to get some energy flowing!
Creativity. I love creative people, good ideas and interesting projects. I thrive on it.
Abbas.
Depends on my mood. I love going out and hanging with good friends. But if I’m writing music or working on something creative, I also like to lock myself up into a creative head-space.
Relaxing.
Being spontaneous.
I did quite well. But I also had a lot of fun.
Billie Holiday.
The studio.
I’m a foodie.
To bring people closer together through my music!
