Hassan – Canadian-based R&B singer, songwriter, and music producer – was born in 1990 in the capital city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to parents Naeem Tariq and Najma Sultana, and is the youngest of his four siblings. He spent the first six years of his life in the central region of Al Badiya when his family finally moved from the Middle East during the Gulf War to the suburban city of Cambridge, Ontario in Canada in search for better education and opportunities. Before moving to Canada, Hassan developed an early interest in music, as he would often sing in tune with various classical and/or pop culture songs. Without an array of musicians in the family to look up to, Hassan created his own path into music. At a young age, like any other child, singing was only a pastime hobby for him. Though, soon enough, the aura of music surrounding him created a passion within him which is now bestowed with his soothing, yet versatile voice.
Like most immigrants in a new country, his family faced numerous problems, and struggled their way through to a better future. During this time, at a tender, young age, Hassan was being exposed to and living through a time which gave him the experience of a lifetime, which is often reflected in the music he writes. In 2000, Hassan moved to Mississauga, Ontario with his family for his sibling’s post-graduate education. At this time, his older brothers had introduced him to the art of freestyling which gave Hassan a jump start to his career as a music artist. Hassan was encouraged to join a rap battling website called OpenMic (later, GoldMic). At first, this was only a hobby, but constant battling and addiction to the new atmosphere of hip-hop culture earned him a renowned spot on the website. The popularity of his gritty and grunge lyrics ranked him in the top 30 emcees out of over 10,000 members. This further nurtured his music skills, causing him to become equally curious in the world of poetry, as well as music.
The genre of Hassan’s music has significantly changed overtime. While growing up in two completely different localities, Hassan faced the likes of personal and family problems which led to the maturation of his lyrics. Gaining inspiration from the events in his life, Hassan is easily able to connect to a mass audience with his earnest and heartfelt lyrics. After two years of working behind the scenes in the music industry, Mississauga-based R&B/Hip-Hop recording artist, Hassan, releases his highly anticipated single “Need.” Shot in Mississauga, Ontario within the Greater Toronto area, the Irfan Naeem-directed video starts off with the daily ritual of two lovers and the loving and nurturing bond between Hassan and soon-to-be wife (played by Ashley Drew). However, his relationship isn’t what you think; Spoiler alert: It quickly takes a solemn plot twist into something from the 1999 film The Sixth Sense.
Hassan: Need
Directed by Irfan Naeem. Produced by Usmaan Mujtaba, Irfan Naeem, Hassan Naeem. Edited by Hassan Naeem, Usmaan Mujtaba, Irfan Naeem. Production Company: The Note Media Group.
Hassan: Need Lyrics:
If I see the mountains break in two
Then let this be a reason to let you go
If the see the sun not rise anew
Then let this be a reason to let you go
You can hurt me, hurt me, hurt me
But this pain is worth it, worth it, worth you
You can cut me, cut me, cut deep
But the scars will leave me closer to you
You can hurt me, hurt me, hurt me
But this pain is worth it, worth it, worth you
You can cut me, cut me, cut deep
But the scars will leave me closer to you
Let me know (you need me)
How much you need me
Don’t let me go (I need you)
Baby, I need you
If I see the rivers stop their flow
Let this be a reason to let you go
And if I see the oceans dry to shores
Then let this be a reason to let you go
You can hurt me, hurt me, hurt me
But this pain is worth it, worth it, worth you
You can cut me, cut me, cut deep
But the scars will leave me closer to you
You can hurt me, hurt me, hurt me
But this pain is worth it, worth it, worth you
You can cut me, cut me, cut deep
But the scars will leave me closer to you
Let me know (you need me)
How much you need me
Don’t let me go (I need you)
Baby, I need you
If the earth was to crumble
And the sky was to fall
I would never let you go
If the earth was to crumble
And the sky was to fall
I would never let you go
Let me know (you need me)
How much you need me
Don’t let me go (I need you)
Baby, I need you
Let me know (you need me)
How much you need me
Don’t let me go (I need you)
Baby, I need you
