{"id":47911,"date":"2024-01-14T20:00:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-14T20:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-karachi-based-band-aur-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2024-01-14T20:00:07","modified_gmt":"2024-01-14T20:00:07","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-karachi-based-band-aur-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-karachi-based-band-aur-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about Karachi-based band, AUR | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In a whirlwind of success, Pakistani band\u00a0AUR had already become a promising young voice in the local scene with their chart-topping 2023 hit Tu Hai Kahan<\/em>. Enter 2024 and the band has already come out with a new rendition of their track in an exciting collab with Zayn Malik.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Comprising Usama Ali, Ahad Khan, and Raffey Anwar, the band sat down with Fuchsia <\/a>for a candid conversation on their journey, achievements and future plans. As Tu Hai Kahan<\/em> takes the global stage by storm, here\u2019s everything you need to know about AUR that swayed even the ex-One Direction singer with their poignant lyricism and infectious tunes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For the love of poetry<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Usama and Ahad\u2019s tight-knit association goes back to their early childhood days, their shared love for poetry only deepened the friendship. \u201cWe were basically interested in poetry,\u201d Ahad recounted. \u201cLike when we had to put captions on Facebook or Instagram posts, we would consult each other.\u201d Nodding in agreement, Usama added how their creativity drew their friends to them as well and they would gladly guide others on how to pen their captions eloquently.<\/p>\n

AUR first took the musical plunge when they began posting their songs on their YouTube channel. The band members reflected on all the hard work that went into refining their creative process. \u201cWe started writing 2-3 years before our YouTube channel,\u201d Usama recalled how he would dedicate hours to writing with Ahad while going coaching together.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The two college friends praised one coaching instructor, Sir Obaid, for teaching them the craft of lyricism. \u201cShout out to Sir Obaid\u2026he has taught us a lot. He gave us the knowledge of rap too,\u201d the friends expressed their appreciation.<\/p>\n

Becoming a band<\/strong><\/p>\n

Joining the band much later, Raffey\u2019s entry into AUR began simply as a practical decision. \u201cWhen we felt that it was time now to start putting out music, we didn\u2019t have money,\u201d Ahad disclosed how he and Usama could not afford a studio for recording, thus, setting forth on a search for a producer. \u201cRaffey was the least expensive of all.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The band members relayed how other producers proposed high rates that neither Ahad nor Usama could afford. \u201cIt took us six months to save up money for recording,\u201d Usama revealed. Articulating their surprise at their good fortune, AUR members shared how Raffey officially joined the group when he asked exactly the same amount of money that the duo had delicately gathered.<\/p>\n

On a humourous note, the interview found Raffey put on the spot after others disclosed how the AUR producer kept them waiting for three days before finally seeing them. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t my attitude, sometimes young artists approach you and waste your time,\u201d Raffey endeavoured to explain while his bandmates erupted in laughter.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, it was listening to Usama and Ahad\u2019s long tale of passion and struggle that moved Raffey and prompted him to suggest the formation of a band. From artwork to marketing, the young producer worked to ossify the young artists\u2019 platform.<\/p>\n

\u2018Tu Hai Kahan\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Formed in 2020, AUR quickly became a favourite among Pakistani music enthusiasts, captivating hearts with their versatile talents. Their breakout hit, Tu Hai Kahan,<\/em> has amassed over 95 million views on YouTube, trending across various social media platforms and earning them a spot on playlists worldwide.<\/p>\n

With their rapidly popularizing blend of R&B and Hip Hop elements, AUR noted their disappointment regarding the reception of their most popular song, Tu Hai Kahan<\/em>, in Pakistan. The band expressed gratitude for the love received from India but underlined a relative lack of acknowledgment from their home country’s industry and audience.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Usama remarked, \u201cWe have received some appreciation from Pakistan and a lot from India\u2026People have appreciated in Pakistan too but\u2026they don’t tag you. They don’t support you.\u201d The musicians further described their complex feelings at having felt more welcomed by cross-border fans. \u201cThe Pakistani industry has given us a little bit of a tough time in accepting (us).\u201d<\/p>\n

From Uraan to AUR<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the unversed, the trio was not always known by AUR. Initially calling themselves Uraan, the band underwent a name change to AUR, after finding themselves entangled in a contractual dispute that could have marked the end of their musical aspirations.<\/p>\n

According to Ahad, \u201cOne person made a video of our concert and uploaded it calling us Uraan The Band. Our name wasn’t Uraan The Band, it was Uraan.\u201d A person claimed that they were earning using his band’s name (Uraan the Band) and demanded a share of their earnings for the next nine months. The band members highlighted the irony, stating that the individual’s band primarily played at weddings, and his online presence was limited with low subscriber numbers.<\/p>\n

Raffey explained the predicament, saying, “He said, you can give us all the earnings of the next 9 months. Use my name. We said we\u2019re not doing it. We\u2019re changing our name.” The person, unhappy with this response, threatened to take down their songs and went on to carry out the threat, temporarily erasing their musical creations from public access.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the challenging period, AUR\u2019s members contemplated how they almost quit music if not for the overwhelming support of their fans.<\/p>\n

Navigating fame and beyond<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite their newfound success, the trio remains humble and expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to their music. Raffey, the mastermind behind production, artwork, and promotions, highlighted the dedication it took to save up for their first recording, showcasing their unwavering commitment to their craft.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on their success, AUR credited their perseverance, hard work and mutual trust for overcoming difficulties. Their dreams of having thousands sing along at concerts have become a reality, and they take pride in being able to provide their parents with the lifestyle they once dreamed of.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, AUR teased exciting plans for the future, including upcoming concerts, and the promise of more global music hits. Despite their rapid rise, the trio remains grounded and harbours dreams of collaborating with industry giants such as Atif Aslam, Young Stunners, Drake, and Travis Scott.<\/p>\n

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n