Young and talented, Jibran Raheel is an upcoming singer and songwriter. Though Jibran has recently released...
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Young and talented, Jibran Raheel is an upcoming singer and songwriter. Though Jibran has recently released his debut single ‘Jhoota Pyar’, his association with singing goes a long way. Jibran, who was brought up in Dubai, started exploring his talent at the tender age of 10 and participated in a variety of music shows in Pakistan and UAE. “Like every singer my journey started from the bathroom, to family occasions, to friends’ birthdays and social gatherings,” says Jibran. He was introduced to showbiz by actor Tipu Sharif. “I participated in a few reality shows. In one of them, I met Tipu Sharif who was the host of one of these shows at that time. He was the one who actually forced me to get into the studio and record something,” shares Jibran.
In 2012, he won the best singer award in UAE from the music maestro A.R. Rahman himself at the ‘Sing like a Star’ contest and performed with him live at Dubai International Stadium. Since then, Jibran has also performed with renowned music directors like Shankar Ehsan Loy at another concert in Abu Dhabi National Auditorium organised by City FM 101.6 and received a trophy from Rajesh Roshan for the ‘Andaz-e-Rafi’ competition.
His debut song ‘Jhoota Pyar’ is about two lovers at different points of their relationship.The music is produced by Ali Mustafa and the video has been directed by Shiraz Malik. Let’s see what are the likes and dislikes of this crooner...
What is your genre of singing?
I love to experiment with my vocal range. I try to push my vocals to different genres from Pop, Rock, Rap, Qawalli, Classic, Jazz, Western et al. It’s an ever learning process. The day you start limiting yourself is the day your creativity ends.
What is your most memorable concert to-date?
I have been very fortunate to have performed live on stage with Mr A.R. Rahman. He was on a ‘Rockstar’ movie tour in Dubai for a series of concerts. My friend who was working at a radio channel registered me for that competition and out of 400 contestants I won the competition and the winner was to perform live with Mr Rahman. It was a dream come true.
Your claim to fame song:
‘Raat’ is a tribute I did for Madam Noor Jehan. I feel that’s my claim to fame as per now.
Have you released any music album so far?
No. I am only working on singles at the moment.
Your favourite international music celebrity:
I have grown up to the tunes of ‘Backstreet Boys’, Bryan Adams, ‘Nirvana’, ‘Linkin Park’, and the list goes on and on. I wanted to be a rapper as a kid, and I use to memorise Eminem’s tracks. Nowadays, I love the kind of music Charlie Puth, Zayn and The Weeknd have been producing.
Your favourite music composer:
Hands down to the living legend Mr A.R. Rahman.
In your childhood were you a bright student?
No. I was an average student. I had problems in concentrating on what was being taught because I was a kid who had so many whys & hows pinching my brain all the time.
Who was your favourite rock/jazz star when you were growing up or in your teens?
I feel the only rockstar in our music industry has produced is Ali Azmat. He has always been one all his life.
Your most irritating habit...
I love to do things with perfection and this is something I find irritating about myself.
You don’t like people who are...
People who are too full of themselves.
You are afraid of...
God forbid, if something bad happens to my family.
Your most valuable possession:
My voice.
Your all-time favourite movie:
I am a huge Marvel series fan and I remember I used to collect action figures growing up of different superheroes. I would dress up as a different superhero every day.
Are you shopaholic?
No.
What bores you the most...
Senseless conversation.
You are crazy about...
Food. Plain and simple!
How do you like to spend your Sundays?
A perfect Sunday for me is which starts with a good breakfast or brunch somewhere outdoors preferably in the winter followed by a good cup of coffee.
What is your favourite tune nowadays?
‘Jhoota Pyar’.
Whats your favourite holiday destination?
Thailand.
If you had access to a time machine which era would you revisit?
I would revisit the era where these legendary artists used to sing with purity, that’s why those melodies are called evergreen.
Song that always gets you on the dance floor?
‘Ek Pal Ka Jeena’. I falsely made myself believe that I am equally good dancer as Hrithik Roshan till one fine day I looked into the mirror.
What’s the last thing you bought?
An iPad.
What books are on your bedside table?
‘The Subtle Art of not giving a F*ck’ by Mark Manson.
First thing you do when you wake up in the morning:
I say a small prayer and drink lots of water & check my phone.
When I am not working I am usually...
Writing something or lying on the bed or may end up making a sudden plan of eating at a new restaurant anywhere in the city.
The most important relationship lesson you have learnt so far...
Never trust anyone so quickly that you end up looking like a fool.
You get super uncomfortable when...
There is a mess since I have my OCD mode on all the time.
The biggest misconception about you...
People think that I’m shy but I take my own sweet time to open up.
Something very few people know about you as a person...
That I am a decent cook too. My specialty would be a crunchy honey beef.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Honestly like every other genuine artist, I see myself in the place where people call my name with respect & listen to my songs without saying that this guy is a parchi!
