Handpicked from the streets of Sibbi in Balochistan comes a story that tugs at your heartstrings. Abid can’t read or write but he’s very street-smart. Serving tea with a little extra, he’s always been a performer. Many have come and go in the past, marveling at his untapped potential and making tall promises but it seems good fortune wasn’t so far away. He’s finally caught his big break collaborating with Pakistan’s best EDM sensation, SomeWhatSuper. Abid might not have the power of writing but he’s taught himself a very marketable and deeply pleasurable trade: he’s a rapper and he’s very very good.
How was his journey from an errand boy to your next rap superstar?
Talking about Abid’s story, Feroz Faisal from SomeWhatSuper tells MangoBaaz all about his unique story:
“Working as the errand-boy at Sibbi mela, Abid had the unusual talent of performing in front of people along with serving them tea and snacks. Having the soul of an entertainer, he would often be called upon on stage to perform for others as the opening act where he sometimes danced, often sang. The locals also mostly asked him to perform at shaadis and such. It’s funny how this is what eventually led to him being ‘discovered’, so to speak. A friend who was working on a documentary along with his camera crew got approached by Abid who couldn’t help but perform for them. Emulating the classic rap style, gestures and such, he had all of them in awe. When the demo reached us, we knew we absolutely had to do something about it.”
It was discovered later on that this wasn’t the rapper’s first experience at being “SomeWhatFamous”
Abid also became friendly with a big artist who promised him a taste of stardom and asked him to come to Lahore to record some music. Hopeful for all that lay ahead, he made his way to the city of dreams paying for all the expenses out of his own meager income only to find that the artist could not be reached. This entire episode left him heartbroken and quite frankly, very very depressed.
“He’s a very down to earth boy with mounds of virgin talent. But at the same time, he seemed a little reluctant owing to the previous setback”, Feroz tells MangoBaaz.
“Patari deserves a lot of credit for helping us bring Abid in for the collaboration. Khalid Bajwa and his team were already working on the Patari Tabeer platform that brings such talent to the limelight but when we introduced Abid’s demo, they were instantly excited to get the ball rolling. Allotting us a budget to work with, Patari’s immense support is why we were able to produce The Sibbi Song at all”
With his half Baloch and half Sindhi roots, Abid has the knack for working on original lyrics that incorporates both the languages.
Katay milta saeen is an old Sindhi song which is infused with original rap in The Sibbi Song. “All his ustaads were masters of raag so he has somewhat learned raag and incorporated it into rap,” says Feroz.
“Unknowingly, he has adapted the international rap style. I was taken aback by how well-versed he was in terms of the overall rap feel in his music”
Abid’s voice is very raw, he’s not too sure about his style for which he draws inspiration from Bohemia. But he’ll eventually be able to refine his technique will the right training and guidance.
Sharing a funny (and somewhat cute) story about his time with Abid, Feroz recounts the time they all took him out on his first fast food expedition. “He ate a burger and asked, iss mein kitni rotiyaan hein? It was a very endearing moment.”
Abid’s journey has become the gateway for more of such talent coming forward as Feroz discloses that three more artists have also approached them. The truth is, Abid isn’t the only diamond in the rough, there are many others, some of which will be featured in Patari Tabeer series.
“I am very scared but at the same time, extremely inspired by his ability to put himself out there”, says Feroz. Abid is currently in the process of working on another track in collaboration with SomeWhatSuper, this one, however, would be a cover of another song.
As part of Patari Tabeer series, The Sibbi Song bears witness to the unsung voices in Pakistan just waiting to be discovered. Tabeer will be focusing on bringing these voices to the forefront allowing Pakistani music enthusiasts to indulge in such homegrown talent. And every play of the song will bring royalties Abid’s way and ensure that many others like him have a platform that supports and harnesses their dreams.
And that’s the thing about music. It’s the most powerful language of all.
Listen to the full song here and make sure you share it with everyone you know because it helps Abid.