An interview
with
UmairBhai
Umair has been a very busy
man. The fact that I had to wait months {and I mean MONTHS}for
a chance to meet the guy shows how in demand he is.Umair is the
first Qatari DJ to successfully cross the shores and make a
career out of the one thing he loves most - Music.But this achievement
has come at a price as I found out.
Click here to see Umair's BMW blew up !
{KSG}Everyone knows Umair is from Qatar,but what
exactly brought you to the Pakistan?
 {Umair}
Well I was actually born here in Doha and moved when I was very
young.What brought me back was the offer from Bally Sagoo who heard
of me and approached me to do an album.I thought yeah,why not?
Then the album did very well and they came back with a firm full
time offer.
{KSG} So why couldn't you do what you are doing now in Pakistan?
{Umair} It's the resources.Most of the artists are from the Pakistan
everyone knows that.There are more resources in Lahore alone
than over there.Add the fact that I love to travel.I have lived
in so many places like Doha,London & Sydney that the
move just seemed right.
{KSG} How is the Qatar crowd different to the crowd in Pakistan?
{Umair} The big difference at the moment is Garage music.That
is purely a Qatar thing.Dance music is more popular back home than
it is in the Qatar.Paki music is also bigger over there.
{KSG} How did you start
off your career?
{Umair} I was working for a internet company as a administrator. That
company used to get sued a lot and I had to take care of that
stuff.Music was just a hobby.I did a few bootlegs and it just
grew from there.Mind you my parents weren't too pleased when
I told them I was quitting my 'safe' job and doing this full
time!
{KSG} Tell us about your partnership with Dj Imru.
 {Umair}
Yeah Imru,we did a lot of stuff together in the Australia,mainly
Punjabi Bhangra stuff.We worked on the Lahori Night series.That was very
successful.Then he got married and settled down.I carried on
doing this on my own.
{KSG} So you did a lot of Paki music?Is that what you originally
wanted to do?
{Umair} Well at that time it was what the crowd wanted.Bhangra
was not massive or anything but now it is.Paki music is still
popular but Bhangra has come along really well over the years.
{KSG} What kind of response do you get when you go back home?
{Umair} It's mixed.Some people are proud of what I have done.Others
are good to my face but behind my back they cuss me.That is up
to them.I'm happy with my life and all that I have achieved so
far.I don't know if they are jealous or what but if they want
to cuss me let them.People say I use samples so I'm no good,but
they don't understand that the public want that.I get so many
emails saying Alibhai please mix this track,please mix that track,and
my music is selling.That is all I can say.
{KSG} So what is Umair like as a person?
{Umair} Im shy,easy going just like anyone out there.People come
up to me sometimes and say we have heard you are stuck up and
things like that but that's not true. I am not conceded,I'm more
of a clown.I like to have a laugh. I have seen DJs put out an
album and start acting all that.What
they don't realize is that respect is something that you earn
not something that you demand.I know that.
{KSG} Fav Car?
{Umair}Ferrari 288 GTO
{KSG} What music do you like to listen to?
{Umair} Im into most types.Hip-Hop is a big favorite of
mine.That's what I like to listen to but
when it comes to work I listen to Panjabi music.
{KSG} Have you ever done
anything embarrassing whilst DJing?
{Umair} When I first started DJing I was playing at a club and
I got a bit drunk Lassi.The club had this strict dress code and a doorman
said I had to leave.I had a long top on so they wanted me to
get out.The promoters said I had to stay because I was DJing
and I got a bit rowdy saying you can't kick me out I'm a DJ and all that
sort of stuff.Well they did kick me out and so I went round the
back banging on the door saying Let me in!,Let me in! That was
embarrassing!
{KSG} Would you ever do a Bohemia da punjabi rapper and go mainstream?
{Umair} Mainstream? Bohemia? He is not a mainstream artist!There
are a lot of people out there who take credit for other peoples
work.He is one of them.
{KSG} Not a fan of his then?
{Umair} Now don't get me wrong.The Bohemia done well musically.It's
just when people start to believe their own hype troubles begin.I
met him in UK once and we had words.He had a problem with
me mixing one of his tracks and I was just thinking to myself
what's the big deal?
{KSG} Which album did you most enjoy working on?
{Umair} Ah,that's 'Ashtray' the new one which I've almost completed.My friend Khiza n Shamur is the DJ & Amz is the vocalist.It's
sort of like a comeback album for him which I am producing.It's
got six tracks on it which were chosen from twelve.I would rather
have Six banging tracks.
{KSG} You have worked a lot with him haven't you?
 {Umair} No.I really admire him.Not only is he a great vocalist
but he is a great human being also.When I was growing up I loved
his stuff when he was in my band (maj9 project) along with Khiza
etc.Shamur did kind of take a step back for a while but he is
back now.
{KSG} Favorite track?
 {Umair}
''Pata Nahi'' from (Ashtray) album.
{KSG} Best venue?
{Umair} Sydney.I was playing at a gig on the same day as Liz Taylor's
birthday bash which was at club hollywood.It was great there
were all these flashy cars outside.
{KSG} Fav Actress?
{Umair} Oh what's her name...Salma Hayek.
{KSG} What's the one thing you can't live without?
{Umair} Music
{KSG} What is your motivation? Who are your idols?
{Umair}
My parents.My dad always used to say to me I don't care
if you are a boot polisher,but you make sure you are the BEST
boot polisher.He told me to make sure I try my best in whatever
I do.I have grown up with that mentality.
{KSG} Is there a women in your life?
{Umair} Yes my mum!
{KSG} You know what I mean.
{Umair} You can't ask me that!!
{KSG} I just did.
{Umair} {Slightly blushing} Er...maybe!
{KSG} OK...Tell us about your website.
{Umair} At the moment its under construction
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