Strings

1.) Strings refer to a Pakistani Pop Rock Band. They were there when the new wave of Pakistani Pop was breaking on the local media beachhead, post-Nazia and Zoheb, post-Alamgir and post-Muhammad Ali Shehki. They were there when music videos, in their most primitive form, started creating a commotion in the local music industry, changing the way music was listened to forever. They were there scoring hits, playing shows and signing autographs, fully enjoying the lifestyle of post-'80s pop stars. Then, it seems, they disappeared from the face of the pop universe. After a lengthy gap, they returned with one of the biggest records Pakistan has heard in the last ten years, almost erasing from memory the period of hibernation with a string of jangly, synthesized hits and snappy videos. They are, Bilal Maqsood (Urdu: بلال مقصود)and Faisal Kapadia (Urdu: فیصل کپاڈیا). Strings started with four college students (Bilal, Faisal, and two friends) in 1990, when they came out with their album "Strings". After "Strings 2" in 1992, the band was dismembered. Eight years later, Bilal and Faisal reformed Strings, coming out with their album "Duur" and then "Dhaani". Both the albums were a hit. The title tracks from both albums were notable popular especially with the Indian audiences. In 2005, Strings won MTV Asia's best artist award and sang "Zinda Hoon" for the Indian movie "Zinda". Ironically they were nominated as an Indian band. Not only that...their song "Na Jane Kyon" was one of the OSTs for the hollywood flick "SpiderMan 2". More recently, they have also worked on a song for the Bollywood movie "Shootout At Lokhandwala" called "Aakhri Alvida". In 2008, Strings released "Koi Aanay Waala Hai", the third album since their comeback album, "Duur" through 2 Republic Music Group internationally. 2.) Strings aka Tateeze was born in Chicago, Illinois in the late 70’s, where she gained her initial vocal performance experience in the church choir beginning at the age of eight. She continued to hone her vocal skills in the performing arts high school choir. At age 18, she attended an R Kelly concert in Oklahoma City where she made her way back stage and offered an unsolicited vocal audition. Shortly thereafter, she attended a private party where R Kelly was the featured guest and gave him a sample of her rapping skills. Her determination, persistence and unquestionable vocal and rap skills resulted in R Kelly signing her to her first label deal as a professional recording artist. Tateeze (then known as “Strings”) worked in the R Kelly camp for three years where she was featured on various recordings and performed on various tours. While in the R Kelly camp she recorded her first album with Base Records / Jive which was not released. After her three year stint with R Kelly, Strings was signed to a solo artist deal with Epic Records by Keith Sweat. During this period she had the privilege of working with artists such as Keith Sweat, Swizz Beats, Mannie Fresh, Rick James, Twista, The Hot Boys and others. She was a featured artist on the Gotham City Remix single that went to 1 on the charts. She recorded her second album while with Epic. Although the album was not released, she did execute a six week promotional tour throughout the U.S. In 2002, Tateeze was signed to a record deal with Cash Money Records. During this period, she performed several features on all the “named” Cash Money artist projects, including the 1 single “Oh Yeah”. Tateeze toured with the roster of artists as the “first lady” of Cash Money. Due to the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, she was unable to complete here solo project. Strings describes her rap style as “unique”, “hard-core street”, “brutally honest” and “melodic” (she sings as well). She is also readily described by her peers as “gifted, sexy, sensual and provocative”. Although she doesn’t feel that she has been influenced by any one particular rap artist in the industry, she does acknowledge that the song, “Lodi Dodi” performed by Slick Rick and Dougie Fresh inspired her to rap. She also has much respect for the work of Biggie Smalls and Jay Z. Her favorite artist for the most part are from the R & B genre; consisting of artists such as Alisha Keys, Lauren Hill, Faith Evans and Mary J. Blige. As a personal goal, Strings aspires to be “that” well rounded female rap artist who has the look and the talent to thoroughly entertain her audience. She is presently seeking a solo artist deal with a well established label who will embrace and support her message and presentation.