“I protect my ears from fake performances” — singer Mohira Asadova on songs created through artificial intelligence

“I protect my ears from fake performances” — Singer Mohira Asadova on songs created with artificial intelligence

Mohira Asadova, a famous singer of the 1990s known for songs such as “Shohsanam” and “Muhabbatni chiqargandir chidaganga,” gave an interview to the “O‘zimizning gap” project. During the conversation, she spoke about her 45-year creative career, her personal life, and her search for a suitable match for her child.

— In 1981, when I was not even 15 years old, I entered the field of art. On September 15 of that year, a decision was issued regarding my acceptance to work in the ensemble, and the next day, on September 16, I turned 15. At that time, I was studying in the eighth grade.

The artistic director of our ensemble, People’s Artist of Uzbekistan G‘anijon Toshmatov, was both a mentor and a father figure to me. Working alongside mentors, performing live, and participating in direct broadcasts were a great school of life and creativity for me. I can never imagine this period separate from my work, says the singer.

— My creative path, which began in the ensemble, continues to this day. I have not distance myself from art for even a single second. I have always tried to convey the pain, sorrow, dreams, and regrets in my heart to my fans through my songs.

The reason my work was less noticeable for a while was that I signed a contract with BMG, a major European recording company. Our cooperation lasted several years, and six CDs featuring my songs were released. These CDs could be found in the Asian music section of stores in countries ranging from America to Japan.

Due to this collaboration, I participated in festivals and open-air concerts held in various countries around the world. I even had the opportunity to give my own solo concerts lasting two to two and a half hours. In my childhood, I used to watch concerts of world-famous artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Sting, and I admired them. I was thrilled to see their fans standing on their feet, singing along to their songs, dancing, and repeatedly calling the artist back to the stage. Later, I myself was blessed with the happiness of giving such concerts.

— I am not against today's musical trends. Every era has its own demand and its own listeners. If there is no demand, there will be no offer. Now, short, catchy songs reach the listener faster.

33 years ago, I performed the song “Shohsanam”. After I sang it at the 1994 New Year holiday concert, when I went out into the street the next day, people started recognizing me not as Mohira Asadova, but as “Shohsanam”. Young children were also singing the song. At that time, there were not as many recording studios as there are now. Cassettes were played in markets, metros, and shops, and songs resounded loudly. Whichever track had a lot of demand and interest was played repeatedly.

I wish good luck to today's creators. It is not right to constantly criticize them and say they are going down the wrong path. Our ancestors might also have been amazed seeing the novelties in our art in their time, thinking, “What is happening?” We should not treat today's creators this way either.

Now the demand for classical songs and maqams is not as high as before. In our childhood, there were two or three radio and TV channels, and Shashmaqom resounded in our house from morning till night. If a song was played repeatedly on radio and television, it became popular. I also grew up listening to maqams. Although I did not study in this direction, maqams have been ingrained in my blood since childhood. Even now, I willingly listen to and perform them.

— My biggest limitation is not listening to singers who perform fakes. I do not want to hear performers who disregard one or two notes and sing incorrectly. Because such a performance negatively affects a person’s hearing ability.

Regardless of being young or old, I turn as much as possible to classical songs and the works of our mentors. Today, it is also possible to create a song in five minutes using artificial intelligence. But the path our mentors walked was not easy. In those days, there were no microphones and amplifiers like there are now. Under such conditions, the voices of artists like Jo‘raxon-aka and Ma’murjon-aka reached long distances. Both their voices and their hearts were very powerful.

Our previous fans' attitude toward songs was also different. For example, I performed the song “Qoshlarga o‘sma qo‘ysam ko‘rmadingiz,” composed by Abduhoshim Ismoilov with lyrics written by Shokirxon Hakimov, ten times at a wedding in Andijan. As soon as I sang it once, the fans would ask for it again. There were such true connoisseurs, Mohira Asadova recounted.

— Several joyful dates coincided for me this year: I turned 60, my career in art reached 45 years, and the 35th anniversary of our country's Independence was also celebrated. On November 13, my concert dedicated to my 60th birthday and 45 years of creative activity will take place at the Turkiston Palace of Arts.

I am satisfied with my destiny. I am not dissatisfied with anything, even if I met the 15-year-old Mohira, I wouldn’t warn her about anything. Because I lived beautifully. In my childhood, while riding the trolleybus to music school, I saw People's Artist of Uzbekistan Rixsixon Ibrohimova. I ran over and had her sign my song notebook. In those times, just meeting such artists was a great happiness for me.

Years later, I was blessed to be on the same stage, travel on the same train and bus, and live in the same hotel with great artists such as Shukur Burhonov, Nabi Rahimov, Hamza Umarov, Sora-opa, Lutfixonim Sarimsoqova, and Farog‘at Rahmatova. They recognized me as Mohira, and I regarded them as my mentors. What greater happiness could there be than this? I don’t want to change anything in my life, says the singer.

— I have one son. Caring for his heart’s desire is a great responsibility. I don’t want to just marry my son off. Because he will get married and live together with his wife. Their happiness is important to me. Therefore, I ask God for a blessed marriage.

There are no daughters in our household. In my prayers, I ask not for a daughter-in-law, but for a daughter who is beautiful both in heart and appearance, who will live a happy life with my son. In fact, I am a kindergarten teacher. I love children very much. Wherever I go, instead of sitting with adults, I join the company of children. In the future, being surrounded by my grandchildren and spending time with them will probably bring me a hundred times more happiness, says Mohira Asadova.