Mahmood Khan

Self-portrait photograph

Mahmood Khan is a Pakistani-born singer, songwriter, sound engineer, music producer and film maker. Originally from Lahore, Khan was the first Pakistani national to achieve mainstream success within the Australia music industry.

After moving to Los Angeles, United States, in the late 1980s, Khan was employed as a second engineer at Jam Power, a music production house. He was employed there for 12 years, eventually being promoted to chief sound engineer and music producer. During this period, Khan undertook the Seth Riggz voice training program to develop his voice. He also developed his song writing skills and was successful in entering several song writing contests in Hollywood. Through his position at Jam Power, Khan was involved in producing music for developing artists, and his knowledge of the music industry subsequently increased.

In 1995, Khan released Fairytale, his first solo album in the US. The album was released on Khan's own record label. While Fairytale was not a commercial success, it attracted the attention of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, who approached Khan in 1997 to propose a collaboration.

Khan's second solo album, Only One, was released in 1997, and featured Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's last known recordings before his death. Mahmood Khan was the lead vocalist, songwriter, producer and sound engineer on the Only One album. Solid Records and Magna Sound India released the album to international acclaim, with the tracks "Teri Yaad" and "Janeman" featuring in the Sanjay Dutt film, Kartoos.

Khan's next album, Alive, was released by Vanilla Music, Dubai. The lead track, "Panah", was distributed by Magna Sound India; however, the album was not commercially viable and was considered "ahead of its time."

While in Pakistan in 2000, Khan learned how to produce video clips. His first video clip promoted his single, "Tere Baghair", and received air play on national Pakistani television. Khan subsequently produced and directed the music videos accompanying his next two singles, "Enuff Misfortune", a reaction to 9/11 events, and "Kissi Manzil", a tribute to the Pakistani public school he attended.

In 2004, Khan was commissioned by the Government of Pakistan to compose the music for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 9th South Asian Federation Games, hosted in Islamabad.

Khan is credited with developing a new genre of music, "modern funk," in collaboration with his band, Mahmood Khan Funk.

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Wikipedia