Zameer Rizvi
The ‘American Dream’ is the ideal of equal opportunity for every citizen and the right to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative in the United States of America. This ideal is believed and lived to this day by both foreigners and locals alike; “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” Zameer Rizvi certainly has his eyes on the prize, striving to obtain this ‘American Dream’ as the music industry’s Fresh Face. The multifaceted singer-songwriter is a heartthrob with the voice of an angel whom owns his own tech business, is an avid Yogi, and enjoys the pleasurable pursuits of cooking organic food. His true passion, however, lies in the world of music where the stage is his guiding light towards a life of happiness and fulfillment.Originally from Pakistan, Zameer and his family moved to Saudi Arabia, where access to music was limited. He often had his brother smuggle music into the country for him. Zameer’s early musical influences centered around 80s metal bands, such as Poison, Motley Crue and Guns N Roses. In 1995, Zameer emigrated to Canada, and by 2005, a decade after his arrival, became a rising star in Toronto’s music scene. His debut single, Win or Defeat became the theme song to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games and his debut album From Under the Bleachers hit #73 on the Hot 100 Charts in Canada with the single Glory of Love. In 2015, in pursuit f the American Dream, Zameer relocated to Los Angeles, California to prepare for the debut of his new album HER in November 2016. The album is already gaining rave reviews with its melodic, inspirational, and sincere sound. Zameer Rizvi is an emerging artist in the music industry and could be its next big thing.
“Music gives me the confidence to take risks, and the inspiration to find beauty in things. It’s this combination of inspiration and confidence that allows me to take up several passions.”
RAINE: What has been an embarrassing moment on stage?ZAMEER: My most embarrassing moment was performing at a televised live award show, where I had 4 minutes to sing a song, and my guitar didn’t work! Typically this situation wouldn’t be too embarrassing, I could just fix my guitar and start performing. But the show followed a strict schedule, and I had 4 minutes to get on and sing my song. The show also afforded me an 8 person tech crew to specifically ensure everything went smoothly. Me and the crew tested the guitar set up several times to ensure everything was perfect. Realizing on stage that my guitar wasn’t working was quite the shock! Imagine watching a live televised 4 minute performance, like the Grammy’s, and now imagine the performers guitar not working... haha! I had to resort to putting my guitar down and dancing around like Britney Spears. Embarrassing to the MAX.RAINE: If you could not be a singer what else would you do with your life?ZAMEER: If I wasn’t a singer, I’d be some sort of entrepreneur. I’m a pretty whimsical dude. Most of what I do is based on a whim. For this reason, traditional life plans like become a doctor or lawyer didn’t work for me. Those required too much planning, and little whimsical deviation. So if I didn’t have music, I’d partake in some other volatile vocation that involved high risk of failure. Maybe start a bunch of tech startups? I don’t know.RAINE: Do you have a ritual that you perform before a big performance to get psyched up for being on stage?ZAMEER: Yes, I breath deep 10 times to warm up my lungs. I make burp sounds to warm up my diaphragm. I stick my tongue out and belt out very loud notes to warm up my throat, like an opera singer. I remove all worldly thoughts from my brain to warm up my soul. I prepare a lukewarm concoction of water, lemon and honey to moisturize my vocal chords. I rest and revel in absolute silence to warm up my ears. I close my eyes and think of my happy place to trigger positive energy. If it’s cold, I do push-ups to warm up my fingers so I can rip it on the guitar.RAINE: Would you say music is your passion? What other passions do you have aside from music?ZAMEER: I would say music is the very essence of my soul. My soul fuels many passions. Music saves me, like Jesus saves others. Music gives me the confidence to take risks, and the inspiration to find beauty in things. It’s this combination of inspiration and confidence that allows me to take up several passions. I’m passionate about music production, I’m passionate about writing software to distribute music, I’m passionate about studying the mathematics of music, I’m passionate about high quality capacitors for audio speakers so I can hear better music. But music allows me to be passionate about things outside of music. For example, I’m passionate about mind body and soul, I’m passionate about nature, I’m passionate about charity, I’m passionate about family and friends. Music loves and nurtures me like a mother nurtures her child.RAINE: How did growing up in Saudi Arabia and your limited access to music influence you as an artist?ZAMEER: The selection of music in Saudi Arabia was pretty sad. In fact, Saudi Arabia’s culture is so centered around radical Islam, that it’s hard to find any quality cultural artifacts. Radical Islam doesn’t permit music. Music is unholy unless its religion hymns. Growing up in a country devoid of any culture is limiting and dangerous. Luckily, my parents were well travelled professionals with exposure to the best of the worlds cultures. They actively exposed us to many rich cultures around the world. They were both university professors, so as a family we always had a few months off every year. During these months off my parents took us around the world which exposed us to rich cultures and good music. Growing up in a sterile culture such as Saudi Arabia makes one crave good artistry. So while Saudi Arabia starved me of good music, it made me feast like a lion when I heard something good. Lucky for me, I was exposed to the world’s music.RAINE: Your single “Win or Defeat” was the theme song to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games. Talk about the moment when you first found out. What was going through your head at that time?ZAMEER: When I first started singing and writing songs, I’d feel like a rock star when my mom and dad watched me perform. I’d feel like a pimp when my friends wanted to buy the CDs I burnt at home. As an artist, the first time you connect with people feels like an epiphany. Its euphoric. To be able to transport a feeling through air and deliver it to a person beside you is magical. Connecting with others is the essence of an artist. So when I got a call from the Paralympic Committee saying the wanted to license my song for the 2010 Olympic Games, I felt that same euphoric feeling I felt as a kid when my friends gave me 2 bucks for a CD. Except, now my music was connecting with the world, with millions of people, on an international stage. That feeling of validation and euphoria only happens a few times in an artist’s life.RAINE: Talk about your inspiration for your upcoming albumHER.ZAMEER: I write music to transport feelings from one human to another. These feelings come from strong emotional experiences in my life. One of the strongest emotional experiences I’ve had are love, affinity and desire for beautiful women. Feelings of love are easy to transmit among humans because we all experience them. If songs were foods, then songs about love would be pizza. Everyone has had pizza. Everyone loves pizza. Everyone understands pizza. Out of the 100 songs I have written to date, around fifty percent are about pizza, aka women. I took my favorite of these 10 songs about love and put them on my album HER. The album is about love, loss, passion, desire, tragedy and respect for all of the women in my life. And the album doesn’t end only at humans, I also have a song about my female pet!RAINE: You will be featured in the Health & Beauty Issue of Raine Magazine. What are some of your health/beauty hacks to stay in good health?ZAMEER: Health is my biggest priority in life. With good health, I am unstoppable. I believe every human should sweat for at least 30 minutes per day. I practice this myself on a daily basis. Like our minds, our bodies also needs to be nurtured, challenged and inspired. I nurture my body by eating organic, healthy foods. I challenge my body by pushing it to new limits every day. I inspire my body by looking deep within through yoga and exploring nature. I also like using natural products to promote beauty. At the risk of being judged, I admit to regularly cleanse my skin with facials, and wear cucumber eye serum daily. I think men need to get in touch with their femininity. Looking after our skin, hair and physique is for all humans, not just for women. I man up when it comes to health and beauty.