MAHER ZAIN LIVE ON VOC

Maher Zain live on VOC

After months of perseverance, VOC listeners will finally get to hear the familiar voice of platinum-selling nasheed artist Maher Zain live on air, during an interview on VOC’s Shopping Basket on Saturday 26 May between 10-11am. Zain’s die-hard fans will also have an opportunity to post questions to the international singer during the link-up with presenter Aashia Hendricks.
With a huge international following and sold-out concerts across the Muslim world, Lebanese born Zain has taken the nasheed world by storm over the last two years. Zain’s soulful and melodic style, with strong influences of pop and RnB, has attracted more youth into listening to music of the nasheed genre. He is also the most played artist on VOC, with numerous requests for his songs on a daily basis. His debut album Thank You Allah went platinum, and his latest album Forgive Me released in April this year has seen record sales.
Hendricks had been trying for months to get the singer on VOC, resorting to continuous wall-posts on his Facebook page and emails to his manager.  She said she was quite excited to be interviewing Zain, as she is one of his biggest fans.  “When I received a final response from his manager last week after months of rejections, I was practically jumping up and down with excitement,” Hendricks enthused.
The link-up will be conducted via Skype from Egypt where Zain is doing promotional work and according to Hendricks, her list of questions from fans is piling up. “The promo on his interview has only been aired for a few days on VOC and I’ve already received numerous messages and questions for the artist. I am hoping to ask as much questions on the day.”
Hendricks said that most of the youth she has spoken to said they find Zain’s music uplifting and spiritual – a good alternative to mainstream pop music. “Many of them are so excited about this interview that there were rumours going around that he will be joining us live in studio. How I wish that was a reality, but alhamdulillah this is a once in a life time opportunity,” she said.
This is the second interview with VOC – Zain was on air shortly after a visit to Cape Town in 2010, in which he promoted his first album at the start of his rising career. Hendricks said she hoped Zain would sing one of his latest songs from his new album live on air on the day and is encouraging listeners, especially the youth to sms their questions and messages to 34530 on the day. Zain’s interview will be airing on 95.8fm, 90.9fm and 90.7fm on the day and those who would like to listen via audio streaming can tune into www.vocfm.co.za. VOC (Aishah Cassiem)