Years ago in 2015, sisters Sania Sohail and Muqqadas Jandad (popularly known as the Justin Bibis) never expected their cover of Justin Bieber’s Baby to quickly become a viral internet sensation that raked up over 2 million views.
“We’ve always dreamt of making a name for ourselves as serious artistes,” Sohail states. “To sing on big music platforms and be recognized as professional singers was something my sister and I have always wanted.”
Based in Lahore, Pakistan, but with roots in Rajasthan, the young music duo attribute their natural flair for singing to their family – some of whom are closely affiliated with the local music scene. From their father, a music director, to their aunt, Naseebo Lal, a celebrated folk singer, and many more.
But perhaps their greatest influence comes from their mother, Shehnaz.
“She’s been singing since she was a child. Even though she never got a chance to pursue music professionally, she’s living her dream through our music journey now,” says Jandad proudly, quickly glancing at her mother and giving her a warm smile.
While their path to recognition has been patchy, the girls have been able to bag a few big projects, some of which included a cricket world cup anthem in 2015, making an appearance on the well-known local music platform, Coke Studio, in 2022, apart from live performances and media attention that have kept them in the spotlight.
But sitting across from them in a living room in Gulberg, Lahore, just as Sohail and Jandad were getting ready for a photoshoot, I couldn’t help but realize how much raw, unbridled talent they had that needed channeling in projects which would help enhance (and bring out) their talent and personalities.
Excitedly revealing how much fun the entire aspect of being styled for shows is and how they enjoy figuring out their looks for each project, the Justin Bibis, make no mistake, take their music practise very seriously.
Under the tutelage of their mother, the girls rehearse for a little over two hours every morning under Shehnaz’s watchful eye.
“The 2015 clip [that went viral] changed the arc of our lives enormously,” Sohail states wistfully. “You can see how much we’ve changed from that first video to what we’re like today. But for us, our identity, particularly our Rajasthani identity is very important to us. We’re a close-knit family and an insulated community – and no matter where life takes my sister and I, our roots are very close to our heart. It helps us stay on track.”
Mentioning how hard they tried to track down the stranger who recorded and uploaded the 2015 clip – which not only went viral on social media, but also across local and international media – Jandad considers the individual nothing short of an “angel.”
“I wish we could find out who it was so that we could thank them,” she states. “You know, funnily enough though, our mother always used to have this dream that we’d make it big someday. It’s because of that stranger that our lives changed.”
With dreams of singing playback for Pakistani films and traveling the world for tours one day, the duo state that they enjoy doing different projects as it helps them navigate the local music scene.
Both Sania and Muqqadas never stopped searching for the “angel” who recorded and uploaded their … [+]
“We love performing on stage, it’s such a buzz,” Jandad quips. It feels like family. It’s such a high seeing the audience enjoy your performance.”
“There are far too many struggling artistes in Pakistan, it’s very hard for them to make ends meet. We have such rich music in Pakistan and I don’t think we can compare it with any other country,” Sohail says when asked about how she views local music since their careers took off.
Muqqadas Jandad and her sister, Sania Sohail.
“Local artistes need people and platforms to sponsor and promote them. You need to be packaged in a certain way, that’s a given…but your talent has no link with your appearance. Music should be in your blood.”
