In Conversation with JANI

A musician with a soulful rendering, JANI is bringing forth his amazing voice to create incredible music which is going to touch hearts as he considers his work as being personal narratives. including his take on rap music. Social Diary spoke to the incredible artist to know more about his personal style, his journey so far, and what more he aspires to attain! Read On:

SD: Share with us a little about what it was like growing up in your childhood home.
Jani: Growing up in my childhood home was something tough for I was not always surrounded by artists. What inspired me the most to write were the situations I had gone through.
SD: When was the first instance you felt you wanted to join the field of music?
Jani: I didn’t choose music as a profession in my childhood, nor did I think it would be my career path. When I was in school, my friends used to listen to a lot of rap music. The scenarios depicted in the music were incredible and easy to relate to, drawing me in.
SD: What kind of training did you take on for this?
Jani: Rap music is a genre that allows you to draw on your past experiences to create a personal narrative. To improve your delivery and lyrics, you have to listen to a lot of good music and try to be more concise in your poetry.
SD: Were there any major setbacks you had to face while pursuing this field?
Jani: There are a lot of setbacks when it comes to making music, especially in our society where equipment can be expensive. I recorded most of my tracks on a cheap microphone with broken headphones. My music producer, a schoolmate named SuperDuperSultan, used to work with just a Windows notebook and basic speakers. Despite this, he was able to master our tracks by elevating each bass and plugin note, making them crystal clear.
SD: Was there an idol you looked up to who inspired you in your career?
Jani: In my early days, I used to listen to English rap, like Eminem, Tupac, and Biggie Smalls. At that time, I wasn’t aware of the existence of Urdu rap. However, when a friend of mine shared a folder of Young Stunners with me, I was completely shaken by their music like “yeh kese karlia ?”.
SD: How would you consider the world of music has been progressing through the years?
Jani: We are witnessing many new experimental things in the music industry, with many artists switching to new school music, specifically R&B. We can clearly hear the evolution and development in this genre.
SD: What remains your favorite release to date and why?
Jani: My favorite track is ‘Maqaam.’ It took me six months to write, and it conveys my whole life in just four minutes. For those who want to get to know me, I suggest they listen to ‘Maqaam.’
SD: Your songs have a distinctive feel with deep emotions being reflected through them. Was that always the conscious thought with which you began your career?
Jani: My mother used to be a writer. She wrote her poetry in a red diary, and I used to read it in my free time. From there, I thought about blending Urdu poetry into my music and adding a sweet touch of Sufism to it.
SD: Would you ever consider venturing into other genres of expression?
Jani: In my recent songs, I have tried experimenting with pop music. Each of my songs is unique and different from the others. However, I enjoy exploring other genres as well
SD: What about acting? Do you see yourself in films or dramas?
Jani: If you ever see me in the mainstream media, I will either be doing music or something related to music.

SD: How is 2023 shaping up to be? Any new releases?
Jani: A lot of good music is coming your way. I am planning to drop an album by the end of 2023, and there will be more solos and collaborations with well-known musicians.