The Unseen Struggles of Talented Musicians Like Ashir in Pakistan
Pakistan has produced countless talented artists over the years, yet many of them struggle to gain the recognition and support they deserve. While the global music industry flourishes, Pakistani musicians often find themselves battling against systemic challenges, lack of opportunities, and an industry that does little to uplift them. One such artist facing these issues is Ashir, a passionate singer and composer who has been working tirelessly on his music despite the numerous roadblocks in his way.
A Glimpse into Ashir’s Journey
Ashir is a singer and composer who has dedicated his life to music. He has developed his craft through years of hard work, learning everything himself without any formal training. His music is unique, emotional, and deeply personal. Despite his dedication and talent, he has faced significant challenges in establishing himself in the music industry.
In his last interview, Ashir shared the struggles he faces as a Pakistani singer. He revealed that the music industry in Pakistan provides very limited opportunities for independent musicians. Unlike artists from Western countries who have access to numerous labels, sponsorships, and promotional platforms, Pakistani musicians often have to finance their own projects without any external support. This creates a frustrating situation where artists invest their own money but do not receive the proper returns or exposure.
Ashir is known on the internet as “Ashir Singer,” but he is also deeply involved in music as a composer. He not only sings but also composes his songs, ensuring that his music remains true to his artistic vision.
The Challenges of Music Distribution and Promotion
One of the biggest hurdles for Pakistani musicians like Ashir is the unwillingness of international music companies to collaborate with them. Ashir explained that many global music companies refuse to offer distribution partnerships to Pakistani artists. Even when he funds his own music production, these companies either reject him outright or take his music without properly promoting it.
This lack of promotional support means that talented musicians remain unheard, their work overshadowed by mainstream artists backed by large music corporations. Ashir expressed his disappointment in how these companies fail to provide fair compensation, leaving independent artists struggling financially despite creating quality music. Without proper promotion, their songs do not reach a wider audience, further discouraging them from continuing their musical careers.
The Financial Burden of Independent Music
Ashir emphasized that making music independently is not easy. Every song requires a budget for recording, mixing, mastering, and video production. Since there are very few investors or sponsors for independent artists in Pakistan, musicians like Ashir have to bear all these expenses themselves. The absence of financial backing means that many artists struggle to release songs frequently, delaying their musical careers and reducing their chances of gaining global recognition.
Additionally, music streaming platforms and record labels take a significant portion of the revenue from an artist’s work. With little financial return, artists are left demotivated. For someone like Ashir, who is deeply passionate about his craft, these setbacks make it incredibly difficult to continue creating and releasing music.
Why Talented Artists Are Struggling to Survive
The struggles of musicians in Pakistan are not limited to lack of funding and promotion. Several other factors contribute to their hardships:
- Limited Music Industry Infrastructure: Unlike Western countries, Pakistan does not have a strong infrastructure for music distribution, artist management, and global promotions. There are very few established labels that genuinely support independent artists.
- Lack of Legal Protection: Many Pakistani musicians face copyright issues where their music is taken and used without proper credit or payment. This makes it difficult for them to sustain a career in music.
- Societal Pressures and Expectations: In Pakistan, pursuing a career in music is still not widely accepted by many families. Many talented individuals are forced to choose more ‘secure’ professions, leaving the music industry deprived of new talent.
- Difficulty in International Collaborations: Due to political and economic reasons, many international music companies hesitate to work with Pakistani artists, limiting their opportunities for global recognition.
Ashir’s Determination to Continue
Despite these challenges, Ashir remains determined to continue his musical journey. He believes in the power of music and its ability to connect people beyond borders. Even though he is facing delays in releasing new songs, he is committed to finding ways to bring his music to his fans.
His story is not just about struggle but also about resilience. Ashir’s journey highlights the need for better support systems for musicians in Pakistan. If given the right opportunities, Pakistani artists have the potential to make a significant impact on the global music industry.
How Can the Industry Improve?
For the music industry in Pakistan to flourish and support independent artists like Ashir, several changes need to happen:
- More Investment in Local Artists: Music labels and production houses in Pakistan should actively support independent musicians by providing financial aid, promotional opportunities, and better distribution deals.
- Improved Music Copyright Laws: Strengthening copyright laws can help ensure that artists are properly compensated for their work and that their music is not exploited by larger corporations.
- Building International Partnerships: The Pakistani government and private organizations should work towards creating collaborations with international music companies to provide more opportunities for local artists.
- Encouraging Digital Platforms: Pakistani musicians should be encouraged to leverage social media, YouTube, and other digital platforms to reach global audiences without relying on traditional music companies.
Conclusion
The struggles of talented musicians like Ashir reflect the broader issues within Pakistan’s music industry. While his passion for music remains unshaken, the lack of opportunities, financial challenges, and absence of proper promotional support have made it difficult for him to release music consistently. Ashir’s story serves as a reminder of the untapped potential within Pakistan’s music scene and the urgent need for systemic changes to support independent artists.
If Pakistani musicians are given the resources and recognition they deserve, they can compete on an international level and bring pride to their country. Until then, artists like Ashir will continue to fight against the odds, keeping their dreams alive despite the many obstacles in their path.