Meet Lahore, Pakistan-born UK Open Mic performer, SAEED:

Hi SAEED, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

22

Where were you born?

Lahore, Pakistan

Where did you grow up?

Lahore, Pakistan

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

I started learning guitar and singing at a young age. Being in an international school in Pakistan, many genres from rap/hip-hop to jazz were introduced to me. My family is very diverse when it comes to music, but I usually linger around rap music (old-school hip-hop in particular). After joining uni in 2019, I was opened to more genres that aren’t very well-known in Pakistan. I became a rapper, a jazz musician, and a music producer and still follow these paths to this day!

Where are you based now, and why?

I’m based in London in hopes of securing a job and making a living. University hasn’t really worked out for me, so finding a job would improve my skills and make me more used to the real world!

What got you into making music in the first place?

The sounds of instruments, the lyrics, the flows of songs, being fond of guitar as a young age, and overall thinking of music as a source of peace.

What instrument/s do you play?

Rapping, Guitar, Singing, Drums, Music Producer, Beat Making

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

2Pac, B.I.G, Logic, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Stan Getz, Marvin Gaye, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

4

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

Making the beat and then making lyrics based on it (or based on what I think people should hear about and learn from).

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

Don’t stress, and imagine that the area is empty (if you’re someone who’s always stressed/nervous)! The way you sing when you’re alone, just be ready to implement that in front of a crowd. Take deep breaths, AND PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE!

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

Nothing really, but I make sure not to stutter.

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

I played for a whole school when I was about 10 years old and a lot of the kids were screaming and chanting my name. This is bizarre for me because I never thought I would grab the attention of over 1000 people.

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

No

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

A new music album called “Maturity Through Music”.

Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?

https://www.youtube.com/@SAEEDTheGenius

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://spotify.link/jHnnbenm9Cb

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!