Abid Brohi, a staunch advocate of Sindh’s music and art, is a Pakistani rapper, singer, and musician whose work has been recognized by audiences across the nation. His powerful vocals and captivating lyrics are now making their way beyond national borders to an almost global audience. Abid is renowned for his unique blend of folk and pop music, which promotes the diverse culture of Sindh, Pakistan. His introduction of Sindhi rap has not only brought a new sound to the country’s music scene, but it has also revived traditional Sindhi music while still covering sensitive issues.
Early Life and Career
Abid Brohi was born and raised in the famous city of Hyderabad, located in the province of Sindh in Pakistan. He grew up in a musical family and was introduced to singing and music at a very young age. His father was an expert in Sufi music, and Abid thoroughly enjoyed learning and listening to the harmonies and melodies of Sufi music. It is said that he learned singing along with his father and brothers while performing at various events.
Despite being interested in music and singing from an early age, Abid was not sure if he could pursue a career in music. Nevertheless, he started to produce music and worked on his craft, and found himself making music with a unique sound, which was different from the mainstream Pakistani music that was popular at that time.
He got his big break when he entered the Nescafe Basement with his song ‘Halaak’ in 2016, where he dazzled the judges with his rapping and singing skills, ultimately landing him a spot on the show. Nescafe Basement is a popular Pakistani music program that showcases young and talented artists who perform their own compositions. The success of the song ‘Halaak‘ gave Abid confidence and with it, came more opportunities as a solo artist.
Music and Style
Abid Brohi is known for blending Sindhi folk music with modern-day verbal and lay narratives, to create a unique sound. He started his music career as a rapper and combined his love for folk singing, beatboxing, and spoken-word poetry, to create a genre he calls ‘Sindhi rap.’ His unique style sets him apart from other artists in Pakistan, and he has successfully brought the country’s traditional music into the modern age while addressing social and political issues that are relevant to his people.
Abid’s music talks about day-to-day issues, including his life growing up in rural Sindh. His songs reflect his views on life as a Sindhi, the hardships, and the opportunities. To understand better his style, you can listen to his song ‘The Sibbi Song,’ which puts forward the voices of the Baloch people.
His music has taken inspiration from a lot of things in his life, from the Sufi music his father’s family played, his travels to remote parts of Pakistan, and time spent with his community and the fellow Sindhi musicians. Abid Brohi uses Sindhi vocabulary, humor, and street language and, as he raps in the song ‘Rung Jindri,’ his lyrics are, “Sindhi mein rime karenge, Punjabi mein hai dum, har cheez mein desi, purani kitabein kholke jikar karenge.”
Abid Brohi’s music is as diverse as Pakistan’s culture, and he has composed songs in many languages, including Sindhi, Punjabi, English, and Urdu. His language of choice better reflects his creativity and captures the essence of the communities he represents.
Sindhi Folk Music
Despite having a modernized sound, Abid Brohi’s music is rooted in Sindhi folk music, which he cherishes very much. His love for Sindh’s music and culture is evident in his style, which incorporates some traditional instruments such as the tumbi, a low-pitched folk musical instrument, and the dhol, a drum. These traditional instruments set a remarkable rhythm, which, when blended with his modern sound, creates a refreshing experience of the traditional music.
Abid Brohi has worked hard to incorporate new sounds and styles to traditional Sindhi music. He has collaborated with fellow Sindhi folk and music artists to produce music that portrays Sindh’s identity. With his music, Abid hopes to preserve the rich culture that defines and sets the Sindhi people apart from the rest of the world.
Social and Political Issues
Abid Brohi’s music goes beyond the borders of entertainment and art. He has used his music as a medium to raise awareness on social and political issues affecting his community and country. His song “The Sibbi Song” is a protest against the discrimination that Balochistan faces in Pakistan. In ‘Jind Mahi,’ one can appreciate that the song is based on the story of a woman who got married to a wealthy man, but he left her without any money. She established herself by hard work, and now, she runs her own restaurant.
Abid Brohi has also composed a song titled “Patariya,” in which he talks about the importance of education and the lack of it in the countryside of Pakistan. The song highlights how the government of Pakistan has neglected the education sector, resulting in a high rate of illiteracy in the country. Through his music, Abid’s aim is to raise public awareness and inspire change.
Pakistan’s music scene is constantly changing, and Abid Brohi’s contributions have certainly been significant. He has brought traditional Sindhi folk music to a global audience and has shown that music is a powerful tool in bringing change. His music has made a tremendous impact among the youth in Pakistan and has inspired many artists to explore new genres and experiment with their craft.
Abid’s journey in the music industry is an inspiration to many and shows that with discipline, patience, and dedication, dreams can be achieved. He is a reflection of his community and a living embodiment of the love, richness, and diversity of Sindhi culture. Abid Brohi’s music is undeniably unique, and it is nothing short of artistry that represents his community and their way of life. It is no exaggeration to say that the future of Sindhi music in Pakistan rests on the shoulders of artists like Abid Brohi.
