Zeb and Haniya was conceived circa 2000-2003, the girls’ college days in the United States. Chup, their first song, came to life in sessions at an abandoned café in the basement of Zeb's dorm. After a tremendous response from the college community, Zeb and Haniya recorded a rough version of Chup and another song titled Yaad with Mekaal Hasan (of Mekaal Hasan Band). Once again, the response was remarkable. The songs were a hit. They spread on the internet and soon found their way onto Pakistan’s City FM 89 radio waves.
Zeb has been singing since age eight and has been training as a vocalist since 1998 with acclaimed Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan. Her fellow musician and first cousin, Haniya, is a guitarist, vocalist and a songwriter. 9 of their debut album’s 10 songs are original compositions. Produced by Mekaal Hasan, at Digital Fidelity Studios, the accompanying musicians on the album read like a ‘best of’ list in the national music scene: former Noori drummer, Louis 'Gumby' Pinto on percussion, Shallum Xavier of Fuzon on lead guitar, bass by Kamran 'Mannoo' Zafar, Mauj’s Omran Shafique plays a blues solo on their debut single Aitebaar, and Co-Ven’s Hamza Jafri (guitars), Sikander Mufti (drums) and Sameer Ahmed (bass) are featured on the final track of the album. Finally, the accomplished Norwegian jazz trumpeter, Hildegen Øiseth, makes an unforgettable appearance in some tracks.
The album was snapped up by Fire Records, one of the biggest labels in Pakistan, and is due for release in June 2008. In addition, Zeb and Haniya shot their first video in March 2008 with renowned director Saqib Malik, (of Khamaj Fame) The video is slated for release in June 2008.
After the success of Chup and Yaad, Zeb and Haniya’s climb up the music industry ladder began with live performances. The first was commissioned by the American Consulate in Islamabad (2005). This was followed by the first full-length Zeb and Haniya concert in Lahore (2006). Sponsored by Levi’s, the gig established the duo as a solid live act delivering a first class performance of originals and covers in both English and Urdu. Zeb and Haniya were selected as part of the finale line-up for the Rock Your Shenakht Festival in Karachi held on the 60th anniversary of the nation’s independence. Each time the duo has received rave reviews from the press and the audiences alike.
Zeb and Haniya have matured from the underground to the national scene, where their ascent continues today, on the eve of the release of their debut album. Their songs bring a spectrum of style, instrumentation and influence. Some tracks ring with the cheeriness of pop while others capture the evocative richness of Pashto and Farsi folk traditions. Their sound is not confined to one genre, and has been described as Alternative, Art Folk, Ethnic Blues and World Music. Their influences are many, including pioneering pop and folk from Pakistan, 60s and 70s folk guitar-based music from the US and UK, classical South Asian music, classic Jazz, delta Blues. The artists skim across decades, genres and borders to produce a truly innovative sound. Their songs seamlessly mix blues grooves and jazzy rhythms into complex melodies grounded in local traditions. Finally, we have a sound that touches the brilliant kaleidoscope of language, history and culture that is Pakistan .
Chup
Zeb & Haniya Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
suntay suntay,
mera sabar tou khatam howa
bus...
batain bohat hoween
ab tou piyar ka waqt howa
tm jano na
meray dil
ye lagan
methi si agan
chahye kia
teri ankhain
satayen
mjay pass bulain
muskurahat meri bolay kia
socho na
muskurahat meri bolay kia
socho na
chup chup chup
shhh chup
chup...
muskurahat meri bolay kia
socho na
muskurahat meri bolay kia
socho na
chup chup chup
shh chup
aaa tu hasen hai
koi tjh sa hai kahan
laikin rukhi guftugo
main ata nahi woh maza
jo hai piyar main
izhar main
dil ki har main
dilruba
muskurahat meri bolay kia
socho na
muskurahat meri bolay kia
socho na
chup chup chup
shh chup
The lyrics of Zeb & Haniya's song "Chup" convey the idea of unspoken love and the struggle to find the courage to express it. The singer, speaking in the first person, talks about how their patience has run out while waiting and listening. Now, it's time for love, and they want to express it. The song talks about the beauty of the person they love and how they are unable to put their feelings into words. They want to see if their love interest feels the same way but hesitate to express their feelings. The singer wonders about the sweetness of their passion and the fire that burns inside them.
The lyrics beautifully portray the dichotomy between spoken and unspoken communication. The whole song is about the things left unsaid and the emotions that remain hidden inside. The chorus's repetition of "chup chup chup" and "shh chup" emphasizes the theme of silence, asking the listener to keep their emotions hidden.
Overall, "Chup" is a song about unrequited love, the pain of holding back, and the struggle to find the courage to express your feelings.
Line by Line Meaning
chup...
Quiet...
suntay suntay, mera sabar tou khatam howa
Listening, my patience has run out
bus... batain bohat hoween ab tou piyar ka waqt howa
Enough talking, now it's time for love
tm jano na meray dil main hai kia ye lagan
You know what is in my heart, this attachment
methi si agan chahye kia teri ankhain satayen
What more do I want? Your eyes haunt me
mjay pass bulain muskurahat meri bolay kia socho na
Call me close, my smile says it all, think about it
muskurahat meri bolay kia socho na
My smile says it all, think about it
chup chup chup shhh chup
Quiet, quiet, quiet
aaa tu hasen hai koi tjh sa hai kahan
You are beautiful, where can I find someone like you?
laikin rukhi guftugo main ata nahi woh maza jo hai piyar main
But in quiet conversations, I can't find the pleasure that comes with love
izhar main dil ki har main dilruba
Expressing my love, my heart's every beat is for my beloved
Contributed by Ava N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@citysoepic
Indian here. This blows most Indian music out of the water. Let's not even compare the Coke Studios please.
So brilliant this is. What a lovely voice.
@indraneilmukherjee9598
Coming back to this song after 2010. Memories of college flash back!!!!!!
@kanikathakur2897
This song makes me instantaneously happy. Great music!!
@fahadsami1590
No body understands this what a good quality music this is. Outstanding. I silently heard this beauty awestruck
@syedfaizan8665
I am listening this master piece since 2010 ,and still new for me . can't get rid , it's highly addicted.
@abubakaraslamawan8955
Anybody listen in 2019
#Chup#
@lovinsudan2278
2020 it is.
@morsalghafari1417
I love you so much Zeb!! While being Afghan, I love how you transform the most classic songs into another piece of jewel!! You're the most classic, talented singer I know!!!
@carlosorihuela1806
Fuck off ,,,,she is Pakistani pashtoon not afghan for your kind information ok..)
@osamasiddiqui8997
How do you understand urdu? Were you a refugee in Pakistan?