 |
| Source : @talhahanjum | #talhaanjum #pakistan |
Pakistani hip-hop has experienced a renaissance, and at the heart of this cultural shift stands ‘Talha Anjum’. In a rapidly evolving landscape of South Asian rap, where music reflects society's anxieties, hopes or struggles, Talha Anjum has emerged as a powerful voice in Pakistan's growing hip-hop culture. As one-half of the groundbreaking rap duo ‘Young Stunners’ alongside Talha Yunus, Anjum's deep introspection, lyricism and narrative style have resonated with millions. He has taken the mantle of being not just a rapper but a cultural commentator, poet and a storyteller. His music offers a unique window into the lives of Pakistan's youth who are grappling with their dreams, frustrations and identity. His rise from the streets of Karachi (Pakistan) to global recognition is an inspiring tale of deep connection to his roots, perseverance and talent.
Today, he is a cultural touchstone for Pakistan’s youth, a
poet of the streets and a voice for the struggles of everyday life. This
comprehensive blogpost takes a deep dive into Talha Anjum’s life as it traces
his journey from formative years to becoming a leading figure in the Pakistani
rap industry. From the influences that shaped his craft, his rise as a cultural
phenomenon and the impact he continues to have on a burgeoning global hip-hop
audience, this is Talha Anjum’s story.
Real Name – Talha Anjum Rasheed
Screen name – Talha Anjum
Born – October 3, 1996
Height – 5’8” (5 foot 8 inches)
Status – Single
Parents - Rizwana
Siddique (mother)
Siblings – Umer Anjum and Uzair Anjum (brothers)
Career highlight – Burger-e-Karachi
Background of the Karachi native with great dreams
Talha Anjum was born on October 3rd in the year
1996. His birth took place in the bustling chaotic city of Karachi in Pakistan.
There is no public made information about his father but his mother’s name is
Rizwana Siddique. Though not much has been publicly disclosed about his family
life, Anjum often credits his parents for providing him the freedom and support
to pursue his artistic passions. Anjum was raised in a tight-knit family. In
interviews, he has mentioned how even though Anjum’s music style diverged
toward modern hip-hop, his father’s love for Urdu literature and poetry had an
indirect influence on his lyricism. Karachi is a melting pot city that is an
intense mix of cultures, ancient historical roots and socioeconomic disparities.
Karachi shaped Anjum's early worldview with it’s frenetic pace. Karachi is
often described as the heart of Pakistan and it was this urban energy that has influenced
Anjum's raw unfiltered storytelling.
Growing up in Karachi, he was exposed to a myriad of
experiences ranging from street life to the deep contrasts between the rich and
poor as well as the educated and the underprivileged. These realities laid the
foundation for the social commentary he would later include in his music.
Despite his sharp lyrical wit and street-smart demeanour, Talha Anjum comes
from a middle-class family background. His family emphasized education and hard
work but Anjum found his calling not in the conventional paths that lay ahead
of him but in music. He grew up listening to a variety of genres. However, it
was hip-hop which truly subdued his imagination.
From a young age, Talha Anjum was drawn to creative
outlets…be it through art, music or poetry. As a boy, he was exposed to a
variety of musical influences too. But what struck a chord with him early on
was the raw storytelling found in hip-hop. Like many young Pakistanis, Anjum
was inspired by the global icons of rap artists like Eminem, Jay-Z, Nas and Tupac
Shakur. These artists spoke about hardship, rebellion and systemic oppression.
Such topics resonated with Anjum's own experiences and observations from
growing up in Karachi. While the mainstream Pakistani music industry was
dominated by classical music, folk and pop, Anjum found himself drawn to the
global hip-hop movement. However, unlike most Pakistani music artists, he saw
the potential to fuse his Pakistani identity with the rebellious
self-expressive spirit of rap music. This spark led him down a path that would
eventually transform his life and the local music scene.
The formation of Young Stunners – An awesome partnership of visionaries
The defining moment in Talha Anjum's career came when he
teamed up with his close friend Talha Yunus to form a rap duo named ‘Young
Stunners’ in the year 2013. It was an ambitious project rooted in the faith
that hip-hop could find a home in Pakistan. Talha Younis was his high school
friend and also an aspiring rapper. The partnership between the two was
electric from the start. They both had a strong passion for rap. They shared a
vision of creating music that reflected the realities of their generation but
with a unique Urdu flair. But more importantly, they were hungry to create a
new sound that would reflect their lives in Karachi. Unlike most hip-hop
emerging from South Asia at the time, Young Stunners wasn’t about mimicking
Western rap but rather it was about telling Pakistani stories.
Their debut track was titled ‘Burger-e-Karachi’ which
became an instant viral hit. It was a witty satirical critique of Karachi’s
upper-middle-class youth whom they had dubbed the "burger" crowd.
Burger crowd were people who adopted a Westernized lifestyle and were
disconnected from the realities of the common Pakistani life. It became a term
used to describe the often-elitist segment of Pakistani youth. The track wasn’t
just funny but it was poignant and striking a nerve with many young Pakistanis
who were frustrated with economic disparities and societal divides. It was both
a cultural critique and an assertion of identity. It revealed the layered
social commentary that would become a hallmark of Talha Anjum’s lyricism.
The above is a music video of their track Burger-e-Karachi. Young Stunners were far from an overnight success though. It
took them many years of grind and hustle. They were battling criticism,
performing at small gigs and struggling to win mainstream recognition. In a
country where traditional music genres like Ghazals, Qawwali and pop dominated
the music market, breaking into the mainstream as a rap artist was no easy
feat. Following this breakout, Young Stunners released a string of successful
tracks like ‘Maila Majnu’ and ‘Karachi Chal’. Each of these songs
further cemented their place as pioneers in Pakistan’s emerging hip-hop era.
‘Karachi Chal’ and onward
As Young Stunners continued to grow their fanbase, one song
in particular which set them on a path to broader recognition was ‘Karachi
Chal’. The track was released in the year 2015. The song was a love letter
to their hometown and about paying homage to the spirit of Karachi. With
hard-hitting lyrics, infectious beat and a realistic portrayal of urban life,
the song resonated deeply with the city’s youth. This was when Talha Anjum
started to flourish as an artist in his own right. His lyrical ability was
characterized by his unique cadence, multi-syllabic rhyming and a perfect blend
of Urdu and English. It quickly set him apart from other emerging rappers. He
became known for the ability to articulate the frustrations of Pakistan’s
millennial generation, his impeccable flow and sharp wordplay. In Karachi Chal,
Anjum highlights the daily hustle, the resilience and the struggles of
Karachi's residents. The song isn’t just a geographical shout-out but also a
narrative of survival and pride for the city that had fostered him.
Talha Anjum’s lyrical genius – satire to substance
As Young Stunners grew in popularity, so did Talha Anjum’s
lyrical abilities. Anjum’s writing evolved over time. While many rappers focus
on surface-level themes, Talha Anjum goes deep into complex and very often “introspective”
topics. His music speaks to those who feel like outsiders in their own society.
Whether it’s the youth disillusioned with politics, individuals battling mental
health struggles or those searching for identity in a world full of
contradictions, his music reaches them.
One of Anjum’s most iconic tracks is called ‘Afsanay’.
It is a deeply reflective piece. It turned out to be a song in which Anjum
reflects on ambition, life and the weight of expectations. It explores dark themes
of disillusionment, personal failures and self-identity. The song is
introspective and gives a rare glimpse into Anjum’s inner world where he
grapples with the highs and lows of his life’s journey. His lyrics reflect a
man who is both confident, vulnerable and someone who speaks for himself and
his listeners. Afsanay has verses quoted below.
“Mein darakhton ka ghonsla hoon (I am a nest in the
trees)
Meri shaakhon pe likh rakha hai (On my branches are
written the stories)
Tum basar karo zindagi apni (You live your life)
Mein basar karta hoon afsanay” (While I live through
my stories)
And then there are stronger verses which are quoted below.
‘Mujhe sab kuch mila hai (I have everything)
Par mein khush nahi hoon (But I am not happy)
Main darakht hoon jo uss raat ko khila nahi tha’ (I
am that tree which couldn’t bloom that particular night)
It offers a glimpse into the internal conflicts Anjum faces as a successful yet introspective artist. These metaphors encapsulate Anjum’s belief in music as an outlet for self-expression and storytelling. The constant tug-of-war between external success and internal fulfilment is a recurring theme in his musical production. His art provides him with meaning and he encourages others to seek their truths from within his words. Below is a video of the song Afsanay.
In songs like ‘Gumaan’
and ‘Quarantine’, Anjum touches on issues of identity crises, mental
health and self-doubt. Such topics are rarely brought up in Pakistani
mainstream music. He is unafraid to discuss anxiety, depression and the feeling
of being lost in a world that demands absoluteness. In a conservative society
like Pakistan, mental health is still a taboo subject. Anjum’s openness has
sparked important conversations and connected with fans who feel seen in his
lyrics. His ingenious lyrics keep giving his music a depth that goes far beyond
commercial appeal.
Social commentary and political consciousness
Anjum’s music is more than just being introspective. He
actively engages with the political and social realities in Pakistan. In songs
like ‘Gumaan’, he critiques the systemic injustices faced by the youth.
He expresses his frustration with corruption, institutional failures and the
lack of opportunities. He does so without being overtly political. Only letting
his storytelling and metaphors speak to the listener. His music often questions
the capitalist ideal that society pushes onto individuals and the very nature
of success. In the track ‘Quarantine’ which was a collaboration with
Indian rapper KR$NA, Anjum reflects on the isolation and uncertainty brought on
by the COVID-19 pandemic. Once again, he was blending the personal and the
political with finesse.
The global hip-hop journey from the streets of Karachi
In recent years, Talha Anjum has also gained significant
recognition outside of Pakistan. Alongside Talha Yunus, he has collaborated
with international artists which has aided in expanding his influence beyond his
national borders. One of his most notable collaborations was with KR$NA who is
a retired but was a prominent Indian rapper. Putting out collab tracks like ‘Quarantine’
and ‘Sifar’, have bridged the gap between Pakistani and Indian hip-hop.
They quickly ended up uniting fans across the subcontinent. The success of
songs like Quarantine illustrates how Anjum has managed to balance his
authenticity with commercial success. His music has charted on ‘Spotify’s
Global Viral Charts’ and had trended on YouTube. They have gained him
millions of streams and views.
What makes Talha Anjum remarkable is his musical evolution.
While early tracks by Young Stunners were driven by humour and satire, Anjum’s work
later on has evolved into mature and more meaningful explorations of personal
and societal issues. He has adopted a more minimalist production style, often
pairing mellow beats with intricate rhymes, allowing his lyrical content to
shine through. Young Stunners have also embraced a more global sound by
collaborating with artists across borders and adapting to changing musical
trends while keeping their distinct Pakistani identity intact. With the growth
of streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube, Anjum’s music has reached out to
audiences across the globe. Today, he is one of Pakistan’s most recognized
musical exports.
The establishment of a cultural icon
Talha Anjum’s authenticity and lyrical dexterity have earned
him a cult following. They are not just confined to Pakistan but also across
the globe. His fanbase are affectionately called as the ‘Stunner Army’.
They stretch across borders with listeners in India, Bangladesh, the Middle
East and among the diaspora communities in Europe and North America. His
partnership with Talha Yunus remains one of the most important in Pakistani
music history. The duo is continuing to push boundaries and experiment with new
sounds. Their work is highly collaborative and remains often bringing in
influences from outside the region. Collaborations with ‘KR$NA’ (an
Indian rapper) and other international artists have helped Young Stunners grow
from being local heroes to global ambassadors for South Asian hip-hop.
In many ways, Anjum and Yunus represent a generation of
Pakistanis who are global citizens. They are educated, tech-savvy, well-aware
of global cultural trends and young, but deeply rooted in their national
identity. Through their music, they tackle most everyday events like existential
crises, political corruption, economic instability, heartbreak and love. They
are successful in making their songs universally relatable to almost everyone.
Beyond music
Anjum’s influence extends beyond his music. He has a distinctive style of fashion. He usually sports casual streetwear, minimalist accessories and snapbacks. Today, he has become a style icon for Pakistan’s youth. His fans have even mimicked his fashion choices which is only cementing his place as a trendsetter. His presence on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter allows fans to connect with him on a personal level. Through such social media, he often shares motivational messages, thoughts and updates. Additionally, Anjum’s approach to social media has been less about self-promotion and more about creating a community. His Twitter timeline is often filled with encouragements for young artists, reflections on life or artistry and shout-outs to fans. He’s not just building a fanbase but fostering a movement that encourages others to speak their truths, just as he has done through his music over the years. Below is an early interview of Talha Anjum from the year 2013.
Personal life – The man behind the mic
While Talha Anjum sounds like an open book in many of his
songs, he is known to keep his personal life relatively private. There are only
glimpses of the man behind the music that can be found in his lyrics and
interviews. His focus remains firmly planted on his art and his connection with
his fans. Born into a middle-class family, Anjum's early life was filled with
the usual struggles of the youth in urban Pakistan. Balancing the demands of
education, passion for music and societal expectations were his challenges. Unlike
many from conservative Pakistani households, Anjum was driven by the belief
that music could be a means of self-expression and social critique.
Anjum’s love for poetry and his native Urdu language is
deeply ingrained in his personality. His write-ups often reflect the classical
influences of Urdu poets namely Allama Iqbal and Mirza Ghalib. Therefore, his
songs involved blending street-smart lyricism with poetic elegance. His
upbringing in a conservative society helped him to craft a nuanced
understanding of the socio-political dynamics in Pakistan. He’s often described
as introverted and reflective. He is always focusing more on personal growth
and the stories which he wishes to tell through his music rather than public
appearances.
Unlike many other stars, Anjum has deliberately chosen to
keep the spotlight on his music rather than on his private affairs. He has
shared in interviews that he believes in making music that not only resonates
emotionally but also addresses useful issues like mental health. One thing that
is abundantly clear is his love for his hometown of Karachi and his unwavering
pride in his roots. Anjum has often expressed how the city’s highs and lows
shaped him both as an artist and also as a person. His experiences growing up
in a middle-class family have grounded him. This authenticity and humbleness shines
through in his music and interviews.
Personal struggles and mental health advocacy through music
While Talha Anjum’s rise to fame seems meteoric from the
outside, it hasn’t come without significant challenges. Like many artists,
Anjum has been candid about the mental toll that comes with fame, success and the
pressures of maintaining creative integrity. In interviews and on social media,
he has openly talked of his battles with anxiety. What makes Anjum’s approach
so compelling is his refusal to antagonise these struggles. Instead, he
presents them as a natural part of our life experience. Through his music, he
offers an empathetic lens for listeners who may be going through similar
experiences or to empathize with sufferers whom they know. This willingness to
be vulnerable has turned Anjum into a beacon of hope for many young fans who
look up to him as a rapper and someone who understands the struggles they face
daily.
One of the most important themes in Talha Anjum’s music is obvious
by now, which is mental health. In a society where discussing psychological
well-being is often stigmatized, Anjum has bravely explored his struggles with anxiety
and depression. His vulnerability in tracks like ‘Afsanay’ touches on
themes of failure, existential dread and the pain of unfulfilled ambition. In the
song, he raps about feeling disconnected from the world and seeking solace in
the stories that he himself creates. Those lyrics reflect the internal battles
Anjum has faced and continue to inspire listeners to be open about their own
struggles with mental health.
Cultural impact – A symbol for youth | New dawn for Pakistani hip-hop
Talha Anjum has become a cultural icon for Pakistan’s youth
today. This is particularly real for those in urban locations who face a daily
struggle between tradition and modernity. His music speaks directly to a
generation caught between two worlds of those who are influenced by Western
media but deeply rooted in South Asian culture. As Pakistan’s economy and
political landscape continue to fluctuate, Anjum’s music reflects the aspirations,
frustrations and hopes of a young generation. His lyrics have often mentioned
issues of corruption, inequality and systemic failure. In a country where the
young population makes up a significant portion of the total demographic, this
message has found a ready audience. Beyond borders, Anjum's music has been
celebrated by the South Asian diaspora and international hip-hop communities.
His unique blend of English, regional slang and Urdu when combined with his
introspective themes, has allowed him to reach a global audience. His music
offers a window into the life of a Pakistani millennial. It’s an experience
that resonates with many who feel disconnected from the narratives presented in
mainstream music.
The rise of Talha Anjum and Young Stunners symbolizes a
total cultural drift in Pakistan. For years, the local music industry had been
dominated by traditional genres in classics, pop and rock. The emergence of
hip-hop (in largely thanks to Anjum and his peers) reflects the growing power
of Pakistan’s youth and their desire for authenticity. Young Stunners have
paved the way for a new generation of rappers in Pakistan who are not afraid to
voice their discontent with the system. The duo's use of Urdu (which is the
national language of Pakistan) has also broken barriers and thereby showing
that hip-hop can thrive in any culture or language. Anjum’s choice of rapping
in Urdu reflects his desire to connect with the local audience and telling
stories that would resonate with the masses.
Into the future for Talha Anjum
Talha Anjum continues to push the boundaries of what
Pakistani hip-hop can become. As of 2024, Talha Anjum’s career is still on an
upward trajectory. While Talha Anjum continues to evolve, his focus remains
clear which is to create music that is authentic, reflective of his personal
journey and speaks to the realities of his generation. His collaborations, ongoing
work with Young Stunners and solo projects have firmly established him as a
leader in the hip-hop industry. Anjum has expressed a desire to experiment with
different sounds, musical genres and themes, ensuring that his art remains
fresh and relevant. He’s helping redefine what it means to be an artist in
Pakistan today. It is someone who won’t shy away from difficult conversations
and who uses his platform to uplift others.
 |
| Source : @talhahanjum |
What sets Talha Anjum apart from many artists is his commitment to staying true to his roots. While his music continues to evolve, he has never lost sight of the realities of the people whom he represents. His message has always been one of hope, perseverance and resilience. The legacy Talha Anjum is building isn’t just about chart-topping hits or viral videos. It’s about fostering a culture of resilience, self-expression and vulnerability. It’s clear that he sees his music as a way to inspire change not just in himself but also in his listeners. His growing international collaborations and expanding fanbase suggest that his influence will only increase in the coming years. While the exact trajectory of his career remains to be seen, there’s no doubt that Talha Anjum will continue to be a catalyst for change in both culture and music in Pakistan. His storytelling of blending street tales with poetic introspection, will inspire future generations of Pakistani artists and listeners alike.
Conclusion
Talha Anjum is more than just a rapper. He is currently a
cultural force in Pakistani music. His ability to seamlessly blend
introspective lyricism with hard-hitting social commentary has set him
distinctly apart from other Pakistani musicians. Talha Anjum’s rise from the
streets of Karachi to global stages is nothing short of “extraordinary”. It is
a testament to his abilities and consistency. He is a storyteller who has given
voice to a generation that is often misunderstood and overlooked. His music
which is deeply personal yet universally relatable, has become a “voice for the
voiceless”. Navigating the complex intersections of identity, modernity and tradition,
is very challenging for the Pakistani young generation. His lyrics and music
express the emotions and struggles of an entire generation. By consistently
pushing the boundaries of what Pakistani hip-hop can be and staying true to his
roots, Anjum has secured his place as one of the most influential artists in this
region.
In a country where youth often struggle to find avenues for self-expression, Talha Anjum stands as a beacon of hope. By proving through art that one can make a difference and speak truth to power, he inspires a cultural movement. Anjum’s impact on Pakistani hip-hop cannot be overstated. He has transformed the genre from an underground movement to a mainstream phenomenon. As he continues to evolve as an artist, Talha Anjum will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, both in Pakistan and around the world.
So that concludes the bio on Pakistan's rapper Talha Anjum. What is your favourite part of his life? Are you a fan of his music already? What are some of the key takeaways from his lyrics? Do write up in the comments about your thoughts.
