Pakistani pop singer
Noor–ul–Ain popularly known as Annie, she is a Pakistani pop singer. Annie was born in 1984 in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. In 1985, her parents moved to London where she grew up.
She grew up in East London and later moved to Essex with her parents.
Music career
Annie started her singing career at the age of fifteen. In 2000, during a summer vacation in Pakistan, she performed for the first time in a live concert for Abrarul Haq’s charity in Sargodha.
Her music career started in late 2005, when Annie, sitting bored at home, started humming a melody. She met a music arranger through a friend, who helped her compose the very simple, yet catchy song “Mahiya.”
Charity Work
After the success of Mahiya, Annie started working with various charities, raising awareness for education and health.
Along with music her charity work was also recognized when she was appointed to be the Goodwill Ambassador for the International Red Cross on September 23, 2010, in Norway, where she raised money with the Red Cross for the flood victims in Pakistan by supporting and contributing in various activities. All the proceeds from her UK debut single “Be My Baby” were donated to the flood victims in Pakistan.
This honor gave her the opportunity to represent Pakistan on an international level.
Annie was encouraged by family and friends to take it a step further. She got in touch with a record company and preparations for an ordinary video were made.
The video was soon released in Pakistan. With her simple rendition and style of singing, along with catchy lyrics, the song became an instant hit. It started getting ripped from the video to be sold separately. Mahiya became the most accessed Pakistani pop song on the Internet for in 2005 and 2006.
Awards
* Best female singer of Pakistan (2007) awarded by The Musik
Albums
* Princess (2006)
Singles
* “Mahiya” Remix – Awarapan (2007)
* “Tenu Takiya” – feat. RnB (2008)
Interview
Hey Annie, Tell us , what made you get into singing?
The Spice Girls!! they influenced me at an earlier age, I always loved the whole “girl power” thing, and then later on when Britney Spears came on to the scene i was just like woah, I wanna do that too.
I’m sure you’re aware that in our industry, there is a big lack of female singers. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s got a lot to do with the social stigma that surrounds this business in Pakistan, but all that is changing now, and it’s so nice to see new female artists emerging, who are well educated and from good families.
So Tell us about your album: When is it coming out?
In about 1 and a half months time…
What’s your favorite song in your album?
Um… taveetri…
What are some of your hobbies?
I like to sleep a lot, read books, write poetry, shop, and spend time with my family…
Beside your own, what kind of music do you listen to in your spare time ? Any favorite artists?
Britney, J-Lo, Beyonce, Avril Lavigne, Hoobastank, but I like anything and everything really, live music is always nice, even if it’s just instrumental.
You’re still new in the industry, but in this time, who would you say you enjoyed working with the most?
Stardreamz and all the artists I’ve toured with in the states, the experience has been fantastic.
Lately the Pakistani Pop Scene is really hitting it big, with so many young artists going into the Indian market, and US , and Europe Markets as well. Do you think that in an Islamic country , the entertainment industry could make it that big?
Yes, because at the end of the day, whether it’s an Islamic country or a non Islamic country, people like to be entertained. They like the feeling they get when they hear their favourite tune, music makes everyone smile..
Do you see more Pakistani singers working with Bollywood over the next few years ? Which Bollywood actress would you like to do playback for, if you could choose?
Yep, I do see Pakistani singers working with bollywood, some already are! and if i could choose to do playback for any bollywood actress then it would be Preity Zinta, because I reckon my voice would match hers.
Ok.. Annie.. I guess everyone’s just gonna have to wait for until your CD and music videos are out. Until then, any message for your fans?
Yep, look out for my videos on TV (especially Mahiya) and make sure you check out my album when it released! Apart from that enjoy your summer and have fun! Byeee!
