Blog: 2010 and running!

2010 has finally arrived and for all of us here in South Africa, it’s one that we’ve been really looking forward to, because come June, we will be welcoming the world to our wonderful country for the Fifa Soccer World Cup. I must say that the excitement is already starting to create a buzz throughout the Nation, as you can imagine, especially with the stadiums now being completed, advertising everywhere and tickets close to sell out. I feel so fortunate for the few tickets that have come through for some of the games and I am really looking forward to it, WOZA 2010!

On my side, I am hoping to focus a great deal on production this year and God Willing, be in a position to release a few new projects…(perhaps another production ‘adventure’ or a collaboration with my children) So… keep checking the sites and we will keep you all posted.

Videos, Videos and Videos
This month is exceptionally riveting because of all the amazing videos that are finally complete. Strangely, it wasn’t planned this way, but they all seem to have fallen into place back to back, which has worked out quite nicely.  Firstly, after much demand, we have finally managed to put up the “Drum Only” version of Freedom Will Come online. You can check it out here. Please also remember that you can download this song for free on www.freedomwillcome.com.

Another new video we have just released is one of my favourite songs called Deen il Islam. Please check it out here

Finally, we have completed the shoot for the much awaited video for the song “Who I Am” from the new album 1415 The Beginning. I can’t wait to get it out there since it’s a great concept that adds a brilliant dimension to the message of the song. All I can say is that it involved hundreds of people and thousands of Post-its! A huge thank you to the most talented and innovative team at Fortfilms, who put such creativity into this video, which will be out very soon!

So, for these and lots others, please subscribe to our brand new, exclusive YouTube channel on www.youtube.com/zainbhikhastudios

Please remember me in your prayers and keep smiling!

Zain Bhikha

Peace be with you all

As most of you know, the use of musical instruments is one that draws many differing opinions from esteemed Islamic Scholars around the world. Alhamdullillah, I have had the opportunity, through my travels around the world, to sit with and engage some of today’s most enlightened people and I have always drawn my direction from their advices as well as my own limited thoughts, experiences and perceptions.

About “Official Albums”

Therefore, thus far, in all the albums I have released (”Towards the Light” (2000), “Children of Heaven” (2000), “Faith” (2001), “Our World” (2002), “Mountains of Makkah” (2005), “Allah Knows” (2006) and “1415-The Beginning” (2009)), I have limited the usage of instruments to only vocals and light percussion. The percussion (hand-drums) I have used include the Daff (Arabic Tambourine), Djembe (African Drum), Congas and some light shakers. I have filled my songs with layers of vocals to make them more interesting and appealing and on every album, I have always given people a choice to listen to the songs either as completely aca pella (voice only) or with these light drums. Actually, these days, it so much easier since people can purchase only the versions they want from CD BABY for example. (http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ZainBhikha. So I hope and pray that this helps.

About “Freedom Will Come”

On the single “Freedom Will Come”, which is a collaboration between many artists around the world (Ziryab, Khalil, Omar, Mellow Mark), most of whom use various other musical instruments in their songs, I felt I could make an exception, purely to add my voice to theirs, in a bid to call for peace for the people of Palestine. This was also done due to the fact that the song is available free of charge (www.freedomwillcome.com). A point to note is on the official release of this song, on my new album “1415″, I have only included the drum version since it was in line with the rest of the album.

About “Zain Bhikha Studios”

Another aspect that I’m sure most of you are not aware is that ALL my musical endeavours (albums, shows, workshops, TV shows, videos) are all produced by Zain Bhikha Studios, which is wholly-owned by ”The Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb” in South Africa. The Institute is a Waqf (not-for-profit) organisation that is committed to providing effective, affordable and holistic healthcare throughout Southern Africa through the education of Tibb Practitioners and the establishment of primary health care clinics and holistic wellness centres, thereby alleviating the conditions of the most vulnerable people of our society.

Therefore, to clarify, every single cent from every CD, song download, performance fee, workshop, video etc all go towards this charity. So, Alhamdullillah, every time you legitimately purchase a CD or download one from CD Baby, you contribute to a great cause. For more information on “Zain Bhikha Studios” and “The Ibn Sina Institute of Tibb”, please visit www.zainbhikha.com

Peace be with you all

Dear Friends,

I am really thrilled to let you know that after much time and deliberation, all my songs (including the latest album 1415-The Beginning) are now available for download worldwide through CD BABY (http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ZainBhikha) Thank you so much for choosing to purchase the songs legitimately and help us to continue making more…please also write reviews as I would love to hear what you think.

Sincerely,

Zain Bhikha
www.zainbhikha.com
www.myspace.com/zainbhikha
www.twitter.com/zainbhikha

Peace be with you all

Dear Friends,

I am really pleased to announce the appointment of Multazim Productions (www.multazim.com) as our official distributor and partner for North America (USA & Canada). For all enquiries relating to CD Distribution, Performances, Workshops etc, please contact Zain  Abedin on zain@multazim.com or +1 832 661 4065.

Just another reminder, you may now also download all songs from all the albums, including the latest album 1415 - The Beginning from CD Baby at http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/ZainBhikha

Sincerely,

 Zain Bhikha
www.zainbhikha.com
www.myspace.com/zainbhikha
www.twitter.com/zainbhikha

Peace be with you all

Dear Friends,

The South African nationwide launch (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban) of the new album 1415 The Beginning, in conjunction with Islamic Relief South Africa were absolutely fantastic. Not only were they groundbreaking and memorable events, they also managed to raise much needed funds for Orphans throughout Africa. To read reviews of this concert, the workshops as well as of my brand new album, please check out the links below:

http://www.vocfm.co.za/index.php?&section=news&category=&=&article=47654

http://www.vocfm.co.za/index.php?&section=news&category=&=&article=47689

http://www.vocfm.co.za/index.php?&section=news&category=&=&article=47604

If you’ve got a review of your own or just want to let me know what you think of the songs on the new album, I would love to hear from you.

Sincerely Yours,

Zain Bhikha
www.zainbhikha.com
www.myspace.com/zainbhikha

www.twitter.com/zainbhikha

Peace be with you all

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce the official UK launch of the new album: 1415 The Beginning.

We have partnered up with Nur al Habib Productions in the UK, who have worked really quickly to make it available. Feedback and response thus far has been fantastic. So, if you’re from the UK and wish to get a copy of my latest album, for your CD player, store, warehouse, lounge, car, whatever…please contact them on +44 7961 804 723 or e-mail info@nuralhabib.com

In other news, we’re working really hard to finalise further distribution agreements for the USA, Far East and the Middle East. We will keep you posted right here.

Also, for those who prefer online purchases, we are almost there and all the songs should be available from CD Baby very, very shortly.

Keep Smiling!

Zain Bhikha
www.zainbhikha.com
www.myspace.com/zainbhikha

www.twitter.com/zainbhikha

Peace be with you all

Dear Friends,

I am back in Dubai and despite a few days without the privilege of working air-conditioning, I’m glad to say that I’ve survived and it’s cool again, Alhamudullillah. I must admit that during those extra hot moments, I kept thinking of those who don’t ordinarily have air-conditioning and live in terribly hot places. I guess, that’s what Ramadaan is all about…reflection and contemplation…there are so many things we take for granted until they are gone.

Talking about Ramadaan, I must admit that it’s going much faster than anticipated and it makes you wonder whether we’re actually taking enough benefit of this blessed month. Guess, we need to make the most of what’s left!

So, I left South Africa in a flurry, having just finished shooting the two music videos for 1415. The songs are “I remember your smile” and “Mum and Dad” and tells my story of how I began recording 15 years with the two major influences at the time: my best Friend, Mubeen who tragically passed away in 1994 and of course my mum and dad, who helped me through those difficult times and encouraged me to start singing in the first place. It is really a fitting video tribute and I actually convinced both my parents to actually take part in the video. After much discussion, they agreed and did really well.

The video is really true to my story, shot entirely in my home town of Laudium, west of Pretoria (South Africa) using the actual locations for the events and I even got my sons to play “me” at different ages…with Muhammad playing a younger me and Rashid playing the teenage version. My nephew, Riyaad played the role of my late best friend and he too, did an excellent job.

I really can’t wait for this video to be launched…I will keep you all posted and God Willing, it should be up in only a new few weeks!

On other music video news, we will very shortly put up the official Deen  Il Islam Video which was done a few months ago…very nice, simple yet powerful, I think….and then we’re currently brainstorming a really cool video concept for the song “Who I Am” from the new album 1415…this will most likely be shot in Cape Town, South, Africa…so keep a look out for it too!

Please remember me in your prayers…

Sincerely,

Zain Bhikha
www.zainbhikha.com
www.myspace.com/zainbhikha

www.twitter.com/zainbhikha

Peace be with you all

Dear Friends,

I have arrived safely back to my home country of South Africa and first and foremost, getting used to the cold weather. This is an unusually cold winter we’re experiencing here and my family and I are finding it hard to acclimatise from a very hot and humid Dubai…but Alhamdullillah, all’s good…

it’s so good to be home…see my family and friends and really just get back to my old routines. We are busy planning this tour with Islamic Relief South Africa since it’s their 5 year anniversary in South Africa, 25th anniversary for them worldwide and my 15 year anniversary since I began singing…

so, all in all, lots to commemorate and share with the audiences here. I am going around the country (Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town) performing with some wonderful groups and some very good local comedians.

I have finally updated my website with full details of these shows (if you happen to be in SA)…

But more importantly, we have also given a full update on the new album 1415: The Beginning with sample tracks as well as lyrics to all the songs. We will be launching the album in as many countries as possible over the coming months but please if you have listened to any of the songs, or heard the samples, let me know what you think. I am really proud of this album since it is so true to my beginnings in its inspiration and emotion. 

 
I would love to hear what you think.

Oh, and we’re also working on having them up on ITunes and other digital distributors soon…so please hang in there…

Sincerely,

Zain Bhikha

2 July 2009
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Local time: 13:19pm

Peace be with you dear friends,

I too, like the rest of the world, was quite shocked to hear of the death of singer and songwriter, Micheal Jackson. During the 80’s and 90’s, my young days are filled with memories of his songs and performances and no doubt, he has influenced me in various ways, especially with the intensity of his tremendous talent. I think what strikes me most was his vocal ability in terms of range, expression, emotion and unique tone.

“To our Lord do we belong and to Him is our return”.

The reason I bring all this up is merely because since before his death and quite amplified now after, I have been inundated with e-mails and calls from people, organisations and the media asking me to clarify whether a song called “Give Thanks to Allah” was sung by Micheal Jackson or myself. This rumour started a while ago and has been circulating on the internet ever since.

So, to clarify, Micheal Jackson never sang this song. I wrote and recorded “Give Thanks to Allah” as a simple childrens song many years ago and it has been released on various independant albums since.

Sincerely,

Zain Bhikha
www.zainbhikha.com
www.myspace.com/zainbhikha
www.twitter.com/zainbhikha
info@zainbhikha.com