New Delhi: Alfaaz is the stage name of the famous Punjabi singer Amanjot Singh Panwar. Quite recently, he went to social media to express his anger against the whole Punjabi music industry in general and, more precisely, against record labels. He shared in an open-hearted post on his official Instagram account how piqued he has been with this very same industry, which, according to him, has failed to extend respect and recognition towards him despite his work.
Alfaaz has been in the limelight for his unique voice and unforgettable songs that made him a household name in Punjabi music. But his recent post on social media unravels some other side of his journey that is filled with unfulfilled expectations and a sense of betrayal on the part of those whom he once considered comrades in his career.
Alfaaz opened his note on Instagram by confessing record label struggles, including several major songs he worked on without getting any finances. Alfaaz then laments how the very labels he supported throughout his career now ignore him: “Kuch record labels ko maine apne career ke sabse badde gaane diye, didn’t even ask for a penny, aaj vo hi reply nahi karte. Waheguru ohna nu khush rakhe. Dilon izzat barkraar #willgosolo #norecordlabel,” Alfaaz wrote, his hurt and disillusionment with the industry thus coming through.
Alfaaz’s post sums up a disquieting trend in the music industry, wherein artists feel unappreciated, taken advantage of, or exploited. Having created some of the most important or breakthrough songs for themselves, many artists Alfaaz-find themselves bereft of the type of support they had hoped for from the record labels. Almost all labels have been seen to suffer from a lack of communication and a lack of respect, something quite heartbreaking for these labels in cases where the artists invested their time and creativity with passion always with the plea to keep the royalties.
He has been one of the most creative artists in the Punjabi music industry for quite some time, and one could differentiate his voice from any other voice, and the tracks he made amass millions of views. First, he became famous with tracks like “Yaar Bathere,” “Rickshaw,” and “Haye Mera Dil” which turned out to be the heartbeat of many listeners. Ups and downs do happen in life, and Alfaaz also suffered a lot.
Alfaaz dropped hints at this new course of action through a post from his social media handle, where he would go solo, sans any record label relative. Hashtags like #willgosolo and #norecordlabel pointed at the word “control” concerning his music and his career, and apparently, he would go ahead to drop future projects on his own.
This move constituted a serious diversion in the way Alfaaz worked growing trend among artists who would rather go it alone instead of being tethered to labels when they feel undervalued. To Alfaaz, this was a personal and professional stand: one that refused to be peripheralized or taken for granted by the very same industry to which he had given so much.
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Alfaaz’s message, though highly irritated, is that of resilience and hope. But with his decision to speak out, he certainly brought attention amongst other artists in the fraternity focussing on this fast turnaround attitude. And he’s once more reminded all his fans about self-respect and self-belief. “Waheguru ohna nu khush rakhe. Dilon izzat barker,” he wrote, wishing well even to those who had let him down.
Having witnessed Alfaaz entering this new phase in his career, it can only be guessed what may happen next. It is a journey of strong recollection to know what inner strength looks and feels like when one holds on to himself amidst difficulties. It continues to weave its way into the tapestry of dreams he so bravely pursues.
