Background information
Origin  London, England
Genre(s) R&B, soul, neo soul, hip hop
Years active 2002–present
Label(s) DreamWorks(2002-2005)Geffen (2005-Present)
Website Floetry.net
Members
Marsha Ambrosius
Amanda Diva
Former members
Natalie Stewart

Floetry is a Grammy Award-nominated female English R&B, soul, neo soul, and hip hop duo. The members of the group are singer/songwriter Marsha “the Songstress” Ambrosius and rapper, MTV peronality and radio hostess Amanda Diva. Amanda Diva replaced previous member Natalie “floacist” Stewart. Original members Marsha and Natalie met through their love of basketball and formed a friendship. Ambrosius attended Brits Performing Arts School and studied business and finance. Stewart experimented with acting and directing. For college, Ambrosius planned to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia on a basketball scholarship but could not due to an injury. Stewart attended Middlesex University in London and later transferred to North London University. During these years, both women continued to keep in touch. Stewart was part of a girl group named 3 Plus 1. After the split of the group, she and Ambrosius decided to concentrate on a group together.

They began their career as songwriters in 1997. They have written for Jill Scott, Jazz of Dru Hill, Glenn Lewis, Bilal, and Michael Jackson, for whom they penned the hit 2002 single “Butterflies”.

In 2000, the duo moved to the United States to further pursue their music career. After frequenting such Atlanta spoken word/poetry spots such as Yin Yang Cafe (to rave reviews), they moved on to Philadelphia. There they met J. Erving, son of basketball player Julius Erving. He became the manager of the group and introduced them to DJ Jazzy Jeff. In 2002, they signed with DreamWorks Records and released their debut album Floetic, which featured the singles “Floetic”, “Say Yes”, and “Getting Late”. The album was also released in the UK with additional tracks, one of which features British singer/songwriter and producer Sebastian Rogers. Floetry released a live album titled Floacism in 2003. The two-disc set consisted of a CD and DVD and included the single “Wanna B Where U R (Thisizzaluvsong)” featuring rapper Mos Def. Their third album Flo’Ology was released in November 2005 and included the single “Supastar” featuring rapper Common.

Ambrosius has been featured on several songs including Styles P’s “I’m Black”; The Game’s “Start from Scratch” and “Why You Hate The Game” (also featuring Nas); Busta Rhymes’ “Get You Some” and “Cocaina”; Nas’ “Hustlers” (also featuring The Game); and Hi-Tek’s “Music for Life”. The group has also collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire on their most recent album, Illumination, on the track “Elevated”.

Ambrosius is currently signed to Dr. Dre’s record label, Aftermath Entertainment, as a solo musician. “I have waited a long time for this, so the last thing I want to do after waiting all these years, is to rush the album and be disappointed. I am aiming to release the album this summer. I am focusing on making this a classic album, that will stay relevant across time. I have been doing some stuff with Scott Storch, Dre & Vidal, Cool and Dre… I’m a music maker, I love to create so I’m reaching for the best out of different situations. The creative relationship between Dre, the Aftermath in-house production team and myself has become so strong that it may not be necessary to use any other producers. But why not?! If I gotta call Just Blaze, Neptunes, Kanye, whoever, I just want the music to be right”.

Contents [hide]
1 Member Changes
2 Discography
2.1 Albums
3 Singles
4 Grammy Awards and nominations
5 External links
 
[edit] Member Changes
After Ambrosius’s solo ventures, it was been announced that Amanda Diva, VJ for MTV2, will replace Stewart. Reasons haven’t been disclosed as of yet, but on upcoming tours, Diva’s lyrics will replace Stewart’s in popular Floetry songs.
[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums
2002: Floetic #19 U.S. (Gold)
2003: Floacism #74 U.S.
2005: Flo’Ology #7 U.S.

[edit] Singles
Year Title Chart positions Album
U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B
2002 “Floetic” - #29 Floetic
2003 “Say Yes” #24 #8 Floetic
2003 “Getting Late” - #31 Floetic
2003 “Wanna B Where U R (Thisizzaluvsong)” (featuring Mos Def) - - Floacism
2005 “Supastar” (featuring Common) - #55 Flo’Ology
[edit] Grammy Awards and nominations
Career stats

Career wins: 0
Career nominations: 5

Year Category Genre Title Result
2003 Best Contemporary R&B Album R&B “Floetic” Nominated
2003 Best R&B Song R&B “Floetic” Nominated
2003 Best Urban/Alternative Performance R&B “Floetic” Nominated
2004 Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocal R&B “Say Yes” Nominated
2006 Best Urban/Alternative Performance R&B “Supastar” Nominated

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250 gms chana /choley (chick-peas) boiled
4 potatoes (boiled and cut in cubes)
2 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp or to taste salt
1 tbsp or to taste chat masala
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2 tbsp coriander leaves
2 green chillies
Papri as required

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Fariha Pervaiz has the ability to touch mysterious components of the soul with grace and panache. She is indubitably one singer whose voice holds one captive and then does not let go. Her latest album, Piya, reinforces this fact. She is capable of singing Punjabi, folk, ghazal and pop songs with equal ease and proves so throughout the album.

The party beings with Haniya, a Punjabi song packed with plenty of passion. The lyrics coalesce well with the upbeat?
composition, filling one with an urge to hit the rewind button. A mellower track, Gal muk gayee, goes a step further. Next, Fariha hooks the listener while paying tribute to the late Nazia Hassan by singing Aankhain churanay walay. This is just the beginning of her parade of tribute as she goes on to pay homage to four more people! The title tracks of two drama serials and two extremely catchy songs, Aaye zindagi and Zara thehr jao, follow.
Good poetry and soothing compositions make one relax and relish. Add to that Fariha’s haunting vocals and you have the standouts of the album. With Akailay na jaana, Fariha gets to pay he reverence to Masroor Anwar, Sohail Rana and Waheed Murad simultaneously.

The flip side starts with another tribute, Chand uss des main, to poet Parveen Shakir. The subduing melody and luscious vocals turn it into at outstanding piece. Aur bhi jahan is largely forgettable while More Than Anything is ‘Less than inspiring’ so let us leave it at that.

Tairiyaan yaadan is the best song in the album due to its stirring lyrics and exceptional composition. Kokla chapaki is a folk song that will not appeal to everyone. The title song brings a sudden end to the album. Slick lyrics, a vivacious beat and Fariha’s addictive vocals ensure that one keeps coming back to the album.

Piya has enough substance to cater and hook audiences of either gender or different age groups. Offering an assortment of songs for a variety of moods, it just may turn you into Fariha aficionado if you already aren’t one.

Fariha Pervaiz is back with a big bang. Her single Patang Baaz Sajna from her last album “Naughty and Nice” took her to fame. But after all the hulls gulls, fans came to think of her as a one hit wonder. Her new album “Jhumka” proves otherwise. Fariha’s crystal voice playfully dances to the masti ambience of the music. The album takes a dip with “Late Ho Gayee”. The song starts off with excellent guitar work and the lyrics that follow do bring a

smile to one’s face. But it’s not something one wants to hear over and over. “Jhumka”, the title song, is by far the best that Fariha has ever produced. It combines Bhangra and reggae in dance club style music. Today we are having an interview with Fariha.

Born on February 2, an Aquarius, Fariha describes herself as, “extremely humble, too simple, and very easy going.” She named Arifa Siddiqui, Fariha’s cousin, and Asha Bhosley as her inspiration. “I used to observe Arifa do her ‘riaaz ‘and would listen to old virtuosos. She gave me copies from her huge collection of great songs to listen and learn.” Fariha’s family did not object to her career choice:

“I inherited this passion for singing from my father who wanted to be a singer but his family opposed. When I expressed my interest in music, I faced no discord.” Fariha started out by singing jingles and hosting a children singing show. Flirting briefly with acting, she soon realized acting was not her forte:

“I was offered a difficult role of an eccentric girl in Ghar, Guliyan, our Raastay by Javaid Fazil. I used to go to my khala Talat Siddiqui for lessons. If I asked her to cry, she would quiver her eyebrows and tears would well up in her eyes. When I had to cry and laugh without my own volition, I felt I was not cut out for acting. You can do anything you want but if you do not have the talent, it is unjust to both yourself and the public. Since I could sing better, I decided to concentrate on singing.”

In 1995, she joined Maestro Feroze Gill and `Ustad Ghulam Hussain Shaggan belonging to ”Gwaliar Gharana’ for training. Fariha concentrated on singing ‘khayals’ in slower tempos. She opines, “I got trained in classical. You can attract people of only a certain age in pop singing. Her velvety vocals suit soft numbers and ‘ghazals’ and she plans to excel in introspective singing eventually. “My classical training helps me sing both pop and soft. I am aware pop guarantees temporary success. In the end, a singer is remembered for his or her pensive songs.”

While she sang jingles, she once met Sattar Khan, an advertiser who succored Fariha to release her incipient album in 1996. After the success of Patang Baaz Sajna, there was no looking back. Since then, she has released four albums altogether, the last of which Waila Yaad Ka r.

Fariha made her debut to sing in movies with Javaid Sheikh’s Chief Saab. Her suave vocals captured the hearts of her fans instantaneously. Although Syed Noor also offered her the lead in Sangam, she decided not to pursue a film career. “In our film industry, there are few risk takers,” she explains. “If a certain singer, song, or story is a hit, everyone starts copying it.

No one wants to try something fresh or unconventional. Since I am selective, people approach me if there is something different they want to attempt. Jawad Ahmad, composing music for Shan’s Musa, recently approached me for a song. As I am selective he gave me the privilege to work with Zulfiqar Ali, Wajahat Attrary, M. Arshad, and Amjad Bobby who are pillars of our film industry.”

Though she aspired a degree in psychology, fate had singing as a career choice for her otherwise. “I always wanted to be famous as when I was a kid, I used to write my name everywhere. My mother says people who have a craving for fame do that.”

Fariha listens to Pakistani music, “I am a big fan of Sajjad Ali and Mehnaz,” she stresses. She believes that people prefer to hear melodious folk music. “No matter how modern we or our music becomes, we have to prefer folk music. Junoon revisited their roots when they made ’sufi’ music; Hadiqa did it too with Manay Dee Mauj and Buhay Barian.”

Between two releases, Fariha does concerts and performs at weekly radio shows with live orchestra. She prefers to sing live too, “I like live performances the most. In live performances, the audience tells you immediately if they like your music and it helps to shape your music.”

She is not happy with the way people treat singers, “If I could, I would change the approach of people towards music. Although we have become more receptive, we still need to change our perspective. We need more awareness towards music.”

Showbiz, according to her, also needs some surgery. “I would like to change the attitude of artists towards one

another. I want us to be more integrated as artists anywhere else. I am not against jealousy as long as it serves to improve our performances. If someone is ahead of me, it is because he or she deserves to be. you ask me about any singer, you would find me liking his or her music. But when it comes to leg pulling and disparaging remarks, count me out!” When I asked her about her idea of romantic evening, she blushed like a schoolgirl briefly then:

“You just have to be with the person you care for.” She likes to read poetry and especially Amjad Islam Amjad’s poetry a lot. Since Fariha is herself unpretentious, she dislikes conceited people. “I take easily to people who are well mannered and humble and I dislike people who are snobs.”

Fariha has released six videos so far. She plans to air a video of her new album. “I am a Pakistani and I will always remain an abiding citizen. Whatever I do, wherever I go, Pakistan will remain my identity.” She affirms. “I want to make my country proud by doing some work internationally. I hope I will achieve it someday.”

With her absolutely divine looks and that college girl hairstyle Fariha Pervaiz carries herself with a star’s confidence. If she were to don those new mercury shades, clad herself in Levis and Tees and munch on a peppermint, she could easily pass for a hip teen, catapulting her way into the hearts of millions of idol-hungry youngsters.

But she prefers to stick to her lady-like image concentrating on her work rather than appearance for she knows that that is where the key to success lies. Fariha started her career at much tender age in the show Bulbuley- a kid’s song contest program. From there, she oscillated between plays and music shows trying to do justice to both these vehicles of the expressive arts.

Somewhere along the line, she decided that in order to perform adroitly she needed to get herself acquainted with the basics of the art forms. Since she regarded music to be, “ my first preference- because of a heavy family influence” as she got herself enrolled with Master Feroz Gill- a practitioner of the classical Indian Music. And it’s been almost three years now that she is learning the intricacies of music from him.

Fariha came into the public’s eye- in the true sense of the phrase- with her video Patang Baaz Sajna that made its way into the charts soon after its release. The video’s airing coincided with Basant and it attained the hit-status in virtually no time at all. Patang Baaz Sajna is actually one of the tracks featured on Fariha’s debut album Nice and Naughty. With the creative mind of Sattar Khan (Ever new

concepts) behind this musical endeavor, it is not surprising to find the album a most innovative piece of work starting right from its title to lyrics all the way down to composition and singing. Nice and Naughty basically refers to the program of the album.

One side is labeled ‘Nice’ featuring the more traditional forms of music while the flip side ‘Naughty’ giving the more contemporary style of singing. The album is well rounded off by Fariha’s crisp and clear voice, adapting to both forms of singing with amazing ease.

Apart from her exploration of the pop scene, Fariha is also engaged in stretching her vocal chords as a playback singer for Lollywood flicks. So far, her voice has been featured on the soundtracks of Chief Saab, Salaib, Ghoonghat, and Sangam.

As for her involvement in the performing side of the arts- the plays- Fariha has show cased her talent in the serial ‘Ghar, Ghaon, Aour Rastay’? Of her inclination towards the two facets of the arts she says, “ I wish to achieve the highest standard in both singing and acting subject to viewer/listener appreciation and my justification towards my performance.”

On a more personal place, Fariha is an unassuming person who doesn’t care much for pomp and show. An Aquarius, she describes herself as an honest and kindhearted person, qualities she prefers to see in those.with whom she associates. And what kind of people she cannot stand “… those with corrupt and unethical minds. I also keep my distance from vain and arrogant.”

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Aaqib Javed believes Shoaib Akhtar’s return to national colours will make Pakistan one of the favourites for the Twenty20 World Championship in South Africa in September.

Shoaib has played only a handful of ODIs and a single day of Test cricket for Pakistan since January last year, since when a combination of injuries, fitness troubles and a doping scandal have kept him out of the side.

But he is finally back to full fitness and strength and, according to Javed, hungry to return to the spotlight. “Shoaib is fit and is bowling really fast. He has been down and out for a long time and is hungry for wickets, which is why I am sure he is going to be the biggest star in the tournament,” Aaqib told The News.

Pakistan’s players are currently involved in the third leg of a gruelling summer camp schedule in Karachi, where they players are taking part in a series of Twenty20 games as practice for the tournament. Shoaib has been among the wickets in most games, selectors reporting that his pace has been swift. Though he isn’t at the camp yet, he is due to join on Sunday. Aaqib, who is head coach at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, is part of the camp as a bowling coach.

Shoaib’s famed slower ball, which so flummoxed English batsmen in the 2005 home series, will be a useful weapon again, believes Aaqib. “With the sort of pace he has, Shoaib’s slower delivery comes as a major surprise and in fast-paced matches it is going to cause major damage to any opposition.”

Aaqib said that the support Shoaib will get, from the likes of Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul, makes Pakistan one of the favourites. “I count us among the favourites to win the tournament because we have some world class bowlers and a strong batting line-up.

“The Australians are a very balanced side and they would be the team to beat. South Africa and New Zealand also have the firepower to go all the way.”
 

 Cricket with a cause

Pakistan’s top cricketers have pledged to raise funds for victims of the recent cyclone and subsequent floods that devastated the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan.

Salman Butt, Pakistan’s vice-captain, said some cricketers had visited the flood-affected areas and were deeply moved by the plight of those living in the region.

“We have decided to help raise funds for the Islamic Relief Pakistan (IRP) which is providing assistance to the victims in both provinces,” Butt said.

Nearly 300 people died during the floods - many more are missing - and close to two million people are said to be affected. Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes.

Current cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir and Misbah-ul-Haq will also work for the cause. Afridi, who toured the devastated areas said, “We were moved by the scenes that we witnessed. I believe it’s our responsibility to come to the rescue of those people who have lost their dear ones, homes and livelihood.”

A group of former cricketers, including Rashid Latif, Moin Khan and Jalaluddin, are also actively involved with the organisation’s fund-raising activities. Islamic Relief is an NGO which conducts relief operations all over the world. It was established in 1984 in USA and in 1992 established its subsidiary in Pakistan. It plans to hold a series of fund-raising auctions in the US and UK in the near future.

 Keen to utilise fast bowling strength

Having complained privately over the last year about playing crucial matches on lively, green pitches, Pakistan are now hoping more of the same will be on offer in South Africa for the Twenty20 World Championship in September.

Pakistan were poleaxed by South Africa in the Champions Trophy in Mohali last year on an unusually lively pitch. In the first round of the World Cup earlier this year, they were outfoxed by Ireland on a grassy surface. Both results led to some players and officials complaining of a conspiracy of sorts against Pakistan by the ICC but with their pace attack likely to be back at full strength, they are keen for similar tracks.

“We want to play on fast tracks,” Talat Ali, Pakistan manager, told The News. “All our top pacers are back and available for selection and we are confident that we will go to South Africa with a pace attack second to none.”

Instead of worrying about their batsmen’s traditional inability to play on such surfaces, Talat believes Pakistan will look forward to letting their fast bowlers loose. “We have some of the best fast bowlers in the world in Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sami and Umar Gul. If they make fast tracks I believe it will help us more than other teams.

The batsmen are finding some form too; Salman Butt led the way with a century in one of the practice games that saw 371 runs scored in 40 overs. Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez have also been scoring runs in the practice games.

It is likely now, however, that there will be only one practice match every other day during the camp, and not two, as was originally planned. Malik said players found it tough to maintain intensity levels after the first match in such difficult weather conditions.

“We are planning to talk to officials about it and hope they will ease the schedule a bit. We were in full flow in the opening match of the day but by the time the second began most of us were feeling tired which is why the effort wasn’t the same.”

 Pakistan gears up for Twenty20

Pakistan’s top cricketers begin the third phase of their summer conditioning camps in Karachi, aiming to put in extensive Twenty20 match practice by playing a series of practice games over the next eleven days in a bid to prepare for the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Twenty-six members of Pakistan’s 30-man probable squad will play two matches a day, every alternate day at the National Stadium. Four players, including Younis Khan, have been exempted from the camp for various reasons.

Talat Ali, Pakistan manager and camp-in-charge, told The News that the morning matches will start at 10am while the evening games would begin at 2pm local time. The players took part in a series of similar games in the camp at Lahore.

A total of 12 matches will be played during the camp, after which national selectors will prune the 30-man list down to the final 15-man squad for the tournament. Apart from the practice games, players will also undergo regular training and fielding sessions.

“We want our players to be in top form and in peak physical fitness when they leave for South Africa,” said Talat, a former Test cricketer, who is at the helm of the national team’s preparations until Geoff Lawson arrives in Pakistan towards the end of August. Haroon Rasheed and Aaqib Javed are also working at the camps as specialist batting and bowling coaches.

Meanwhile, there is speculation in the media that Mohammad Yousuf might not make the cut for the Twenty20 World championships. The News, quoting selection sources, said that 12 names had already been inked in for the tournament but the remaining three spots were being fought over by seven players, including Yousuf and allrounder Abdul Razzaq.

It is thought that Yousuf’s relatively poorer fielding skills may go against him in the final equation. Razzaq might also be a doubt because of concerns over his health; having missed the World Cup earlier this year with a knee injury, Razzaq missed much of the camp in Lahore recently with health complications.

The final squad is expected to be announced on August 6.