Singer-songwriter and composer Mohammed Paika chats with us about “Love”, his most recent single dedicated to the most desirable of emotions. Paika demonstrates his beautiful voice in full, taking his listeners on a one-of-a-kind journey. With over 1,5 million plays on YouTube alone, “Love” has proven to be yet another stunning piece, much loved by Paika’s audience. We’ve had the chance to ask the singer-songwriter about his art, so get to know Mohammed Paika with us!

Congratulations on dropping “Love”! Such a beautiful track! Tell us more about how it came along and what inspired you to create this song.

“Love” is very close to my heart because the song was filmed in the city that my wife and I were married in and where we first started our life together.  We usually visit Albuquerque, New Mexico to meet our relatives but this time our trip was focused on reflecting our passion for each other and re-exploring some of the iconic spots in Albuquerque which include areas of Old Town as well as the famous Sandia Peak Tramway. Since Albuquerque has an upbeat and vibrant Native American culture, I wanted the music to have  a “folk” element and also be “catchy”. What sets this song apart from other songs is that it is full of energy just like a new marriage.  I also wanted a song that we could also perform a dance sequence to.  Gratefully, we managed to perform a sequence that perfectly fit the vibe of this song. I am glad to have my wife be part of this song. The song’s main concept is the concept of love which I feel can be beautiful and vibrant in any married couple’s life if they choose to believe in it and flourish it despite any hurdles they may face.

We really enjoyed listening to “For the Rest of Our Lives”! The song is dedicated to the 10-year anniversary of your marriage, and the music video was shot in Italy! Tell us more about this song, and how you were able to find such emotional words to describe how you feel.

This song highlights a major milestone in our marriage. It speaks about the qualities and characteristics of my beloved wife, who is also a remarkable mother. The song was composed from scratch with her thoughts in my mind reflecting our life and story together. Since it was a song specifically made for my wife, it was quite easy for the words to flow out while writing the lyrics. All I had to do was close my eyes and think of my wife’s superior qualities to get the lyrics straight. After 10 years of being with each other you automatically learn to identify your spouse’s qualities. I see them as a blessing. This song prompted us to celebrate our anniversary abroad in Venice, which is known as “The City Love”.  We couldn’t have thought of a better place. 

Since you’ve been in the industry for over a decade, you have accumulated an extensive portfolio of singles and albums. Which one of your works carries the most profound meaning for you as an artist with a clear mission and why?

My single “Purpose of Life” has a profound meaning and clear mission. This song aims to highlight life’s true purpose which includes sharing, helping, and loving each other. If we understand this, then there will be no more hate, crime, or disgust in our lives. The song hints for each of us to hold a high regard for oneself and one another for us to accomplish any difficult task placed before us. Furthermore, the song speaks of respecting each other regardless of race, culture, religion or education and to be one as a human race, especially in difficult times. 

Let’s talk about One Essence Productions, the record label. Why did you decide to start it and what events led to the founding of this label? How do you believe this endeavor helps you and other artists to reach their dreams?

The true essence of music lies in its ability to enhance and influence other people’s lives in a positive way. If you love what you do and share it with others, you can create a circle of inspiration that positively affects everyone around you. One Essence Productions was created for this purpose, and I believe that this has been my most exciting achievement. The freedom of expression is what can bring out an artist’s true talent. The label was created along with the advent of my first English-language album Unity which is an album that is far ahead of its time. 

As someone with a multinational background, you must have lived in or traveled to many countries. Which cultures would you say have had the most influence and impact on your art and music style?

The most impactful culture has been the American culture as you see a mix of all cultures here, which is a blessing.  The Indian, Arabic, African and Spanish cultures have been equally impactful due to their strong music base as well.  Growing up, traveling, and engaging with people from various cultures and listening to their music has influenced my music style and form of expression. 

Describe your music in three words. 

Progressive, Impactful and Relevant.

What upcoming plans can you tell us about? Are there any exciting releases fans can anticipate? 

My next release is planned for late March and titled “Hold Me Tight”.  It’s a love song filmed in the city of Rome with delightful shots of the Vatican as well as other popular sites in Rome. I’m quite excited about the release. It will be a sure treat for my fans!