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Farhad Humayun

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Farhad Humayun
فرہاد ہمایوں
Born(1978-10-05)5 October 1978
Jersey, United Kingdom
Died8 June 2021(2021-06-08) (aged 42)
Lahore, Pakistan
GenresRock
Occupations
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Drummer
  • Percussionist
  • Composer
  • Audio engineer
Instruments
  • Drums
  • Percussion
  • Guitar
Years active2003–2021

Farhad Humayun (Urdu: فرہاد ہمایوں; 5 October 1978 – 8 June 2021) was a Pakistani singer, drummer, record producer and video artist.[1] He was popularly associated with the Pakistani drum jam band Overload[2][3][4] which he founded in 2003. Farhad[5] started his career as underground musician and formed two bands Co-Ven and Mindriot as a drummer. He worked with artists such as Atif Aslam, Symt,[6] Maha Ali Kazmi[7] and Meesha Shafi. Humayun received many awards and accolades for his work. He was also the owner of Riot Studios, a recording studio and music performance venue in Lahore.

Early life

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Humayun was born on 5 October 1978 in the British Channel Island of Jersey at the Jersey International Hospital to parents Navid (née Rahman) and Shahzad Humayun.[8][9][10] His mother Navid Shahzad is a TV, theatre and film actress, scholar, and academic. She is also a recipient of the Pride of Performance, the highest literary award in Pakistan.[11] His father was an automobile salesman and an award-winning cricket commentator in Pakistan between the 1970s and the 2000s.[12] Humayun's maternal grandfather S. A. Rahman was a Judge at the Supreme Court of Pakistan and then Chief Justice of Pakistan in the 1960s.[13][14][15]

Farhad grew up in the Gulberg area of Lahore[16] and studied at Aitchison College until secondary school. He went to the National College of Arts in Lahore where he earned his bachelor's degree in fine arts in painting between 1997 and 2000.[17] He also studied audio engineering at the Recording Workshop in Ladbroke Grove, London.[18][17]

Career

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Humayun started playing drums at age 14 and was a regular in the underground movement in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad in the early 1990s. His influences at the time were mostly metal bands, such as Judas Priest, Dio, Black Sabbath, AC/DC.[10] He started as the drummer in the alternative rock band Co-Ven playing some originals but mostly covers by Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Nirvana, as was the norm at the time when satellite television was catching on in Pakistan. He formed his own metal band in 1994 called Mindriot inspired by the Soundgarden song.[12]

Humayun recorded drums and toured with major Pakistani rock acts such as Noori and Fuzön and also served as the house band drummer for Coke Studio (Pakistani season 5) in 2012. He wrote with and recorded Atif Aslam on his first three albums as well as on Coke Studio.[19] Farhad produced Meri Kahani by Atif Aslam in 2006.[20]

While studying at the National College of Arts, Humayun[21] started casually jamming with friends at events of the college's Western Music Society, of which he was the president.[22][23] That laid the foundation of one of Pakistan's most iconic and original acts Overload in 2003.[24] The band's mix of the modern (trap) drums set with traditional, mystical Dhol (drum), alternating between Indian Classical beats and Rock became a rage in Pakistan. Overload was a band of choice at fundraisers, celebrations, and cricket matches opening and closing ceremonies, such as the launching ceremony of the Pakistan Super League team Lahore Qalandars.[25] Known as the "loudest band of Pakistan",[26] Overload won numerous awards, including the Lux Style Award for Best Live Act in 2006.[27]

Humayun remains the artist with the most number of nominations[28] for a musician at the Lux Style Awards with 13 nominations and two wins.[29] He was also a successful businessman and owned and ran an entertainment and arts company Riot Productions (subsidiaries Riot Films, Riot Studios).[30] Humayun was also termed as the Pride of Pakistan by a popular newspaper Daily Times (Pakistan).[31] His song Jeet (transl. victory) was played at Prime Minister Imran Khan's rally in Washington D.C in 2019.[32]

Collaborations

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Humayun had multiple collaborations with other Pakistan-based artists including Ustad Jaffar, Nasir Sain, Pappu Sain and Tanveer Sain.[33][34] He also released English singles including Give In[35] produced by Richard Hilton, keyboardist of the band Chic. The songs feature iconic musicians like Tony Levin on bass, David Torn on guitars and Richy Stano also on guitars. Recorded at Clubhouse Studios in Rhinebeck New York, the song was released in 2018.[35] Farhad started his solo career in 2018 and released a number of singles including Murr Ke Dekho[36] and Kambakht[37] with Faiza Mujahid.[38]

Endorsements

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Humayun was a brand ambassador for big brands, such as Porsche,[39] Dell,[40] Samsung,[41] Chester Bernard clothing,[42] and telecommunications companies including Mobilink,[43] and Warid.[44] He was featured in the television advertisement for Samsung Galaxy A.[45]

As of 2019, Humayun was the producer for Levi's Live,[46][47] a project of the Levi Strauss & Co. on the revival of live music in Pakistan. He also produced Pepsi Smash for Pepsi Pakistan.[20]

Personal life

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Humayun was married to Asmaa Mumtaz.[48] They were divorced at the time of his death. In October 2018, Farhad was diagnosed with a brain tumor.[49] The singer announced a full recovery the next month after the tumor was removed successfully.[50]

Humayun died on 8 June 2021 of undisclosed causes.[51][52][17][53]

Awards

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Year Award Category Result
2005 Indus Music Awards Best New Artist Won
2006 Lux Style Award Best Live Act Won
2014 Lux Style Award Best Video Director Won
2014 Hum TV Award Song of the Year Won
2017 Hum Style Award Most Stylish Performer of the Year Won
Source:[54]

References

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  1. ^ "Pride of Pakistan Farhad Humayun". Daily Times. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  2. ^ "12th Lux Style Awards 2013 Farhad Hamayun grabs nominations in two categories". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  3. ^ "Farhad Humayun diagnosed with brain tumour". The Express Tribune. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  4. ^ "Not so perfect 'Nimmi Nimmi' marks the return of Overload". dawn.com. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  5. ^ "Aima and Farhad Humayun attend Indian classical band Jaubi's gig in Lahore". Daily Times. 4 May 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  6. ^ "SYMT and its love for music". The Express Tribune. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Keeping up with the pace of time". The Express Tribune. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  8. ^ ""People have ceased to think" - Navid Shahzad". Newsline. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  9. ^ "Pakistan Cricket Board - official website". pcboard.com.pk. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  10. ^ a b "Talented and stylish - Farhad Humayun". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Popular Pakistani musician Farhad Humayun passes away, tributes pour in". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Singer Farhad Humayun passes away". dawn.com. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  13. ^ "Pride of Pakistan Navid Shahzad". Daily Times. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Farhad Humayun – In Memoriam | Instep | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  15. ^ ""People have ceased to think" - Navid Shahzad". Newsline. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  16. ^ "From passion to brilliance". The Nation. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  17. ^ a b c "Singer Farhad Humayun passes away". dawn.com. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  18. ^ Younas, Usman (18 June 2013). "Interview: Tunes of Overload with Farhad Humayun". dawn.com. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  19. ^ "Coke Studio 5: Move to the music". The Express Tribune. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  20. ^ a b "No covers, just originals for new series: Farhad Humayun". The Express Tribune. 12 May 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  21. ^ Images Staff (21 July 2017). "Meesha Shafi, Farhad Humayun and more mourn Linkin Park vocalist's death". Images. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  22. ^ "India-Pakistan musical bond is strong, says Shafqat Amanat Ali". gulfnews.com. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  23. ^ "Coca Cola Has Been Served!". Media Quotient Inc. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  24. ^ Entertainment Desk (26 November 2014). "Not so perfect 'Nimmi Nimmi' marks the return of Overload". dawn.com. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  25. ^ Javed, Faizan (30 January 2016). "Lahore Qalandars launch with Overload". The Nation. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  26. ^ "Overload vocalist Farhad Humayun diagnosed with brain tumour". www.thenews.com.pk. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  27. ^ "12th Lux Style Awards 2013 Farhad Hamayun grabs nominations in two categories". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Pakistan Today. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  28. ^ "Lux Style Awards: Who will bag the music awards?". The Express Tribune. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  29. ^ "Overload's Ankahi nominated for Lux Style Awards 2013!". Pakistani Fashion - Entertainment News by EbuzzToday. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  30. ^ "When Aima and Maya rocked the house!". Daily Times. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  31. ^ "Pride of Pakistan Farhad Humayun". Daily Times. 1 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  32. ^ "Farhad Humayun's song 'Jeet' played at Prime Minister's rally in Washington D.C." www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  33. ^ Images Staff (7 December 2015). "Did you know? Overload rocked the streets of Islamabad". Images. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  34. ^ "Dhamaal - Overload 2007". ReverbNation. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  35. ^ a b Ameen, Nida. "Farhad Humayun releases first English single". tnst.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  36. ^ "Farhad Humayun releases first solo single titled 'Mur Ke Dekho'". www.thenews.com.pk. 21 July 2017. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  37. ^ Images Staff (20 August 2018). "Hamza Ali Abbasi turns lyricist with Farhad Humayun's new song Kambakht". Images. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  38. ^ "Overload's Farhad Humayun drops 'Kambakht' video". gulfnews.com. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  39. ^ "Farhad Humayun chosen by Porsche Pakistan".
  40. ^ Younas, Usman (18 June 2013). "Interview: Tunes of Overload with Farhad Humayun". dawn.com. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  41. ^ ul Haq, Irfan (18 June 2015). "Farhad Humayun Stars in Samsung Galaxy TVC". HIP. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  42. ^ "High Profile Magazine". Issuu. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  43. ^ "Obituary for Farhad Humayun: A Dreamer and a Fighter - Nayha Jehangir Khan - Youlin Magazine". www.youlinmagazine.com. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  44. ^ "Farhad Humayun – Warid Glow". Koolmuzone. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
  45. ^ ul Haq, Irfan (18 June 2015). "Farhad Humayun Stars in Samsung Galaxy TVC". HIP. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
  46. ^ "Farhad Humayun makes a comeback after 'life altering' surgery". www.pakistantoday.com.pk. Pakistan Today. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  47. ^ "An exciting new music platform launched in Lahore". Daily Times. 27 September 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  48. ^ "Fashion's rock chick". Instep Magazine. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  49. ^ "Overload vocalist Farhad Humayun diagnosed with brain tumour". www.thenews.com.pk. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  50. ^ "Singer Farhad Humayun makes full recovery after getting brain tumour removed". Something Haute. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  51. ^ "Ace musician Farhad Humayun passes away". The Express Tribune. 8 June 2021.
  52. ^ Arif, Aayan (8 June 2021). "End of an Era - Overload's Farhad Humayun Passes Away". Musicians of Pakistan. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  53. ^ "Pakistani singer Farhad Humayun passes away". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  54. ^ Agha, Saira (1 August 2019). "Pride of Pakistan Farhad Humayun". Daily Times. Pakistan. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
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