Ritviz Drops Glitchy New Song ‘Mehrbaan’ with Hasan Raheem
The India-Pakistan collaboration came out Jun. 21, marking the Pune-origin singer-producer’s first release since 2022’s ‘Mimmi’ album
Ritviz and Hasan Raheem collaborate on "Mehrbaan." Photos: Courtesy of the artist
Singer-producer Ritviz marked World Music Day on Jun. 21 with a cross-border collaboration “Mehrbaan” featuring R&B/pop artist Hasan Raheem.
The buoyant, glitchy song that’s packed with percussive elements and sugary melodies comes almost two years after Ritviz’s album Mimmi. While there may have been a bit of a gap in terms of studio releases, Ritviz has been busy touring India and the U.S. on the back of releasing Mimmi, presenting specially curated sets for fans.
“Mehrbaan” takes a step forward while retaining the playful storytelling of Ritviz, an aesthetic that he clearly shares with Raheem. The Pakistani doctor/artist had his breakthrough with his 2020 song “Aisay Kaisay” and followed it up with his EP, Maybe, It’s Love in 2023. That EP included another hit song, “Wishes” with Indo-American artist Talwiinder and Pakistani beatsmith Umair.
Ritviz says in a statement, “This collaboration felt like a natural progression. Hasan’s music has always resonated with me, and I believe our creative energies collide beautifully in ‘Mehrbaan’. I continue to create music that inspires me, and it’s been an honor to collaborate with him on this track!”
Raheem adds in his statement, “Working with Ritviz on ‘Mehrbaan’ was an absolute joy. We connected instantly over our passion for music and storytelling, and it’s translated into something truly special. This song is more than just a collaboration; it’s a symbol of the bridges music can build.”
The release of “Mehrbaan” not only coincided with World Music Day but also another major release for Raheem, who worked on the Coke Studio song “Turri Jandi” with veteran Pakistani singer Shazia Manzoor and producers Abdullah Siddiqui and Xulfi.
