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One Pound Fish Man
One Pound Fish Man
from Wikipedia

Muhammad Shahid Nazir (Urdu, Punjabi: محمد شاہد نذیر; born 18 October 1981), also known as the One Pound Fish Man (sometimes stylised as £1 Fish Man), is a Pakistani trader and singer-songwriter who found Internet fame with his viral video, "One Pound Fish". His subsequent appearance on The X Factor led to a record deal with Warner Music.[1]

Key Information

Personal life

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Nazir was born in the town of Pattoki, near Lahore in Punjab, Pakistan.[2] He grew up in Nigeria, his family are from Jamaica listening to Bollywood and Punjabi music, and would sing religious songs during assembly at school. Prior to emigrating to the United Kingdom, Nazir worked for the family-owned transport company.[3] He is married to Kashifa. The couple have four children. His mother, wife and children are still living in Pattoki.[3]

Career

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"One Pound Fish"

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Following brief employment at a pound shop, Nazir, who had since settled in East London, began work at a fish stall at Queen's Market, Upton Park, where his employer instructed him to use a trader's call to attract customers. He soon composed the song "One Pound Fish":

"Come on ladies, come on ladies
One pound fish
Come on ladies, come on ladies
One pound fish
One pound fish
Have-a, have-a look
One pound fish
Have-a, have-a look
One pound fish
Very, very good, one pound fish
Very, very cheap, one pound fish
Six for five pound
One pound each"

After passing customers uploaded videos of him performing his song onto YouTube (in 2012) it became an internet smash and a viral video, and he subsequently auditioned on the television show The X Factor singing the song. The song was later covered by Alesha Dixon, Timbaland and Mindless Behavior.[4]

In a 2018 Vice interview, Nazir recounted his shock at the song's online popularity, describing it as a "god-gifted idea". He added "I was second [in the YouTube charts] only after Gangnam Style [by Psy], this was because YouTube had been banned in Pakistan at that time. Otherwise I would definitely have been number one". Nazir also claimed that UK supermarket Tesco had asked him to appear in advertisements alongside Kevin Bacon and Angelina Jolie, an offer which he declined due to an exclusivity deal he had in place with PTCL.[5]

Post X Factor

[edit]

In November 2012, Nazir was signed by Warner Music Group as a recording artist, and released a dance version of his market sales pitch. A video was also filmed which featured Bollywood-style dancers and an appearance from former weather forecaster Michael Fish.[6] The song was in the running for securing the Christmas number one for 2012 alongside X Factor winner James Arthur's release of his winning song "Impossible".[2][7]

On 9 January 2021, a music video for "One Pound Juice" featuring Nazir was uploaded to YouTube, using adapted lyrics based on the original "One Pound Fish" song, to reflect Nazir's new business venture in selling bottles of UK-made e-cigarette liquid for use in e-cigarettes.[8][9]

Return to Pakistan

[edit]

Nazir's fame alerted the UK's immigration services. Nazir had arrived in the United Kingdom in 2011 on a student visa, however he instead began work as a fishmonger.[10] In December 2012, under the government policy he was ordered to leave the country as his visa had expired.[11] He returned to Pakistan in December 2012, following which he originally intended to apply for a French visa, in order to release a new single.[12] However, his management later stated he would return to the UK to promote his musical career with a new entry visa. His agent, Samir Ahmed, said: "He will be returning to Pakistan and will be celebrating New Year with his family. His return to the UK is pending approval of a working visa. We fully expect him to return in the coming weeks".[13] According to a 2016 article in the New Statesman, Nazir was declined a new visa to enter the UK because he violated the terms of his last visa by singing as a professional entertainer. A year after that he applied for another visa to try and appear in a film about his life, however it was also denied.[14]

On his return to Pakistan, Nazir began delivering motivational speeches in universities across the country, alongside serving as a brand ambassador for PTCL. In 2013, Nazir released "Dabang Sher Aaya", a song written in support of Nawaz Sharif's election campaign in Pakistan, which later became the Pakistan Muslim League (N)'s official party anthem. Another song, "Hum Sher Dil Hum Sher Jawan" was later released ahead of the Pakistani election on 25 July.[5]

In September 2013, it was reported that an arrest warrant had been issued for Nazir in Lahore, in relation to a criminal complaint filed by Orix Leasing Company concerning an initial recovery suit of Rs.6.6 million, following an unpaid loan issued to Nazir's company Rajpoot Goods Transport in 2007. In 2008, a case had been registered against the company after it failed to deposit initial instalments of the loan. Nazir later negotiated a deal with Orix, agreeing to pay Rs.1.34 million through 11 cheques of Rs.94,000 each, however the cheques were found to be counterfeit. Nazir had previously failed to attend a court hearing surrounding the legal process, which led to his arrest in 2013. A further arrest warrant was later withdrawn following his assurance to observe court orders, with a hearing scheduled for 9 April 2014.[15][16]

Discography

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Singles

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List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[17]
UK Asian Chart FRA SCO
"One Pound Fish" 2012 28 1 169 24 Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Muhammad Shahid Nazir, professionally known as the One Pound Fish Man, is a Pakistani singer-songwriter and former fish trader who rose to international prominence in 2012 via a viral video capturing his enthusiastic sales pitch for fresh fish priced at one pound in a London market. The video, filmed at Queens Market in , featured Nazir's repetitive chant "Have a look, " delivered in a rhythmic, sing-song manner while handling , which quickly amassed millions of views on and propelled him into pop culture novelty status. This unexpected fame led to the release of an official and single titled "" in December 2012, which charted in the UK and inspired numerous covers and remixes. Nazir subsequently auditioned for the ninth series of UK, performing his signature song and advancing briefly before elimination. However, Nazir's UK stint ended abruptly due to visa complications; having arrived on a student visa, he overstayed while pursuing market work and fame, resulting in to . Back in , he continued his music career, producing songs, collaborating on remixes, and diversifying into writing political jingles and promotional content, while maintaining an online presence through and occasional viral revivals of his original hit.

Early Life and Immigration

Origins in Pakistan

Muhammad Shahid Nazir was born in 1981 in , a town in province, . Nazir hails from a politically prominent family in Pattoki; his father and grandfather served as mayors of the town, while his uncle held the position of speaker of the provincial assembly. The family operates its own business in Pattoki, having settled there after migrating from following the 1947 partition of British India. Nazir himself unsuccessfully ran for local elections in Pattoki prior to his emigration. At the time of his move to the in 2011, Nazir was married and father to four children, whom he left behind in .

Arrival and Settlement in the

Shahid Nazir emigrated from in , to the in 2011 at the age of 30, entering on a student visa with the intention of studying and achieving economic opportunities for his family of four children. Upon arrival, Nazir settled in , forgoing full-time studies in favor of employment to generate income, beginning with a short stint at a pound shop before securing a role as a at the bustling Upton Park street market, a hub for the local . This transition reflected the practical challenges faced by many visa holders from , who often prioritized immediate work over academic pursuits amid economic pressures back home. Nazir's integration into the involved adapting to the competitive , where he honed a rhythmic to attract customers, laying the groundwork for his later viral fame while navigating visa constraints that limited legal work options for students.

Pre-Fame Career

Work as a Fishmonger in London

Muhammad Shahid Nazir, who arrived in the in 2011 on a to pursue a degree, soon abandoned his studies and entered the workforce. After a short stint at a pound shop, he obtained employment as a at a stall in Queen's Market, Upton Park, . In this role, Nazir sold frozen fish, including snapper, at bargain prices to draw in market shoppers. His employer directed him to shout promotions to attract customers amid the competitive street market environment. This involved rhythmic calls advertising deals such as "," which became a staple of his daily routine to boost sales in the bustling, diverse locality known for its South Asian immigrant community. Nazir worked at the stall for approximately one year prior to gaining public attention, operating under standard market hours in a low-wage position typical for such informal trading roles. His efforts focused on volume sales of affordable to budget-conscious buyers, reflecting the economic pressures of the local trade.

Origin of the "One Pound Fish" Sales Technique

Muhammad Shahid Nazir, a Pakistani immigrant who arrived in the around 2011, began working as a at a stall in Queen's Market, Upton Park, , in early 2012. To compete in a market with rising global prices due to depleting ocean stocks, he priced bags of frozen at £1 per portion, establishing an ultra-cheap sales strategy aimed at quickly moving inventory and building customer volume. This low pricing was a deliberate tactic to undercut competitors and appeal to budget-conscious shoppers in the diverse, working-class area. One week into his role, Nazir developed the distinctive "One Pound Fish" chant as a means to draw attention, diverging from the standard shouting employed by other traders. Drawing on his childhood experience singing religious, Bollywood, and Punjabi songs during school in , , he crafted a rhythmic, melodic call: variations including "Have a look, have a look, ! Very, very cheap! Extra special fish for you!" Nazir reported that this sung approach immediately captured passersby's interest, pulling crowds to the stall more effectively than verbal yells and boosting sales. The technique combined repetitive rhyme, emphasis on affordability, and performative energy, reflecting a practical to the noisy market environment where auditory distinction was key to commercial success. This improvised method originated purely from on-the-job necessity, without prior formal training in patter, and was refined through trial as Nazir observed its impact on foot traffic. By April 2012, the had become a staple of his stall routine, later captured in a customer-recorded video that propelled its viral spread.

Rise to Fame

The Viral Video Phenomenon

In early 2012, Muhammad Shahid Nazir, a at Queen's Market in , improvised a rhythmic pitch to attract customers, chanting such as "Come on ladies, come on ladies, have a look, ; very, very cheap, excellent quality" while displaying fresh . Passersby captured this performance on mobile phones and uploaded it to , with one key clip appearing on April 1, 2012. The video quickly escalated in popularity, accumulating over 8 million views by December 2012 and reaching 16 million by January 2013, primarily through organic sharing on and video platforms. Its appeal stemmed from Nazir's energetic delivery and the novelty of a market vendor turning mundane hawking into an earworm-like tune, which resonated as a lighthearted amid everyday commerce. The phenomenon drew international media coverage, including from outlets like and Al Jazeera, highlighting how could propel an ordinary worker to online stardom without initial promotional backing. This virality marked a classic case of grassroots internet fame in the pre-algorithm-dominated era of , where algorithmic recommendations and word-of-mouth sharing amplified niche content exponentially; Nazir himself noted in interviews that the exposure transformed his local routine into global recognition, though initial views were concentrated outside due to limited access there. The video's success underscored the platform's role in democratizing fame, paving the way for Nazir's subsequent audition opportunities and commercial ventures.

Appearance on Britain's Got Talent

Muhammad Shahid Nazir, known as the One Pound Fish Man, did not appear on , despite occasional online misattributions; his relevant televised talent audition occurred on UK in 2012. During the audition for the ninth series, held in summer 2012 and reported on , Nazir performed his self-penned "One Pound Fish" ditty, which had already gained local attention from his video. The panel—, , Contostavlos, and —reacted with laughter to the repetitive, novelty performance, acknowledging its catchiness but questioning its viability as serious entertainment. Nazir was ultimately rejected at the audition stage and did not progress to bootcamp or further rounds, with Barlow reportedly commenting, "You're not a pop star," highlighting the judges' view of the act as humorous but lacking professional musical depth.

Music Career in the UK

Signing a Record Deal

Following the viral spread of his "One Pound Fish" video in late 2012, Muhammad Shahid Nazir auditioned for the ninth series of on November 24, 2012, performing the song but failing to advance beyond the audition stage. Despite this, the heightened publicity from the audition and his prior online fame prompted Warner Music's imprint label, One More Tune, to sign him to a on November 25, 2012. The deal enabled Nazir to produce a polished, techno-infused version of "One Pound Fish" for commercial release, diverging from his original market chant into a structured novelty track with professional production. The signing represented a rapid transition from street vending to the music industry, capitalizing on Nazir's novelty appeal amid the UK's market for viral hits, though it was brokered through Warner's sub-label rather than a major direct imprint, reflecting the perceived for his persona. No public details emerged on the contract's financial terms, but it facilitated immediate studio work and a music video shoot styled with Bollywood influences, aligning with Nazir's Pakistani heritage.

Release and Chart Performance of "One Pound Fish"

"One Pound Fish" was commercially released as a digital single in the in 2012 via One More Tune (catalogue GBAHT1200783), following Muhammad Shahid Nazir's signing of a with Warner Music earlier that month. A for the track, directed to capitalize on its viral appeal, was uploaded to on 10 2012 and featured Nazir performing amid market scenes and dancers. The single debuted at its peak position of number 28 on the UK Singles Chart for the week dated 22 December 2012, spending a total of 10 weeks in the Top 100, including 3 weeks in the Top 40 and 7 in the Top 75. It performed stronger on genre-specific charts, reaching number 4 on the UK Dance Singles Chart (11 weeks total) and number 1 on the UK Asian Music Chart (7 weeks at the top).
ChartPeak PositionWeeks on Chart
UK Singles Chart2810
UK Dance Singles Chart411
UK Asian Music Chart17
Pre-release media coverage hyped the track as a potential challenger for the Christmas number one spot amid its novelty-driven buzz, though it entered the charts too late in the holiday sales week to contend effectively and ultimately fell short of broader commercial dominance.

Additional Singles and Public Engagements

Following the chart performance of "One Pound Fish", Muhammad Shahid Nazir recorded a single in a on December 5, 2012, aiming to capitalize on seasonal music sales. The track was released later that month amid promotional efforts for the number one spot, including media interviews highlighting his rapid rise from to recording artist. In early January 2013, Nazir debuted a new song titled "Beautiful" in a televised segment, showcasing an attempt to expand beyond his novelty hit with a more conventional pop track. This followed his signing with Warner Music, though no further releases from the label materialized before his departure. Public engagements included appearances on regional television, such as ITV's London Tonight on December 23, 2012, where he promoted his music ambitions and chart aspirations. These activities, centered in , drew local media attention but were constrained by his visa status, limiting sustained performances or tours.

Immigration Issues and Return to Pakistan

Visa Overstay and Deportation Proceedings

Muhammad Shahid Nazir entered the on a , which permitted limited part-time work but prohibited full professional engagements such as signing record deals or producing commercial . His employment as a at Queen's Market in and subsequent viral fame, culminating in a with Warner in 2012, were later cited by authorities as breaches of these visa conditions. In December 2012, with his student visa set to expire, Nazir departed the three days prior to its lapse, denying media reports of forced or overstay and stating he returned to voluntarily to apply for a French performance visa. Conflicting accounts emerged, with some outlets claiming violations, including unauthorized work and potential overstay risks, prompted removal proceedings by the (now ). Nazir maintained no formal occurred, attributing his exit to proactive visa renewal efforts amid his rising music career. Following his departure, Nazir applied twice for new UK visas, both refused; the August 2013 denial explicitly referenced his prior visa breaches, particularly the Warner Music signing and production, deemed incompatible with student status restrictions. He contested the ruling as a "technical mistake" shared with his label, arguing it was not solely his responsibility, though authorities upheld the decision without imposing a formal ban, allowing future applications. These proceedings effectively barred his return to the for professional pursuits, shifting his focus to despite initial plans for European expansion.

Departure from the UK and Initial Reception in Pakistan

Muhammad Shahid Nazir departed the in late December 2012, shortly before his student visa was set to expire, amid ongoing scrutiny related to his prior visa overstay and commercial activities. Although media reports initially suggested due to breaches involving his music pursuits, Nazir denied being forcibly removed, stating that his return to was voluntary to secure a performance visa for . Upon arrival at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on December 27, 2012, Nazir was greeted by hundreds of enthusiastic supporters who showered him with rose petals in a hero's welcome, reflecting his newfound celebrity status from the viral "One Pound Fish" video and single. Local media coverage highlighted the crowd's fervor, with fans chanting his name and seeking autographs, marking a stark contrast to his earlier struggles in the UK. In the immediate aftermath, Nazir reported being inundated with performance requests across , capitalizing on his international fame to pursue music opportunities locally. He expressed intentions to apply for a visa renewal after his planned French gig, though subsequent re-entry attempts were unsuccessful. This initial positive reception underscored his transition from a market trader to a recognized entertainer, though it also set expectations for sustained success that later proved challenging.

Later Career and Challenges in Pakistan

Involvement in Family Transport Business

Following his return to in December 2012, Muhammad Shahid Nazir joined the family's longstanding goods business, Goods, founded in 1947 by his grandfather. The , also referred to as , operates in and focuses on freight hauling via lorries, a sector previously managed by Nazir's three brothers during his time abroad. Nazir's involvement provided amid limited earnings from his brief music career, allowing him to contribute to operations while pursuing side projects in production. By 2016, he remained actively engaged in the enterprise, which supported his family's propertied status in .

Continued Music Production and Political Jingles

Upon returning to in December 2012, Muhammad Shahid Nazir released a Punjabi-language version of his hit song "," adapting the original English track to resonate with local audiences and sustain his music production efforts. This release marked an initial continuation of his musical output amid challenges in replicating his viral success domestically, where internet access and platform restrictions limited broader distribution. Nazir transitioned into producing political s, leveraging family political connections to secure commissions from the Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). In April 2013, ahead of 's general elections, he composed and performed "Dabang Sher" (also referenced as "Dekho Sher Aya"), an anthem highlighting PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif's image as a strong figure, which was released in early May and used in the party's campaign. PML-N approached Nazir partly because Sharif viewed him as embodying a "soft image of ," aligning the jingle with the party's promotional strategy. Nazir continued this work with PML-N into subsequent election cycles, producing "Hum Sher Dil Hum Sher Jawan" prior to the July 25, 2018, general elections as another supportive track emphasizing party loyalty and youth appeal. These jingles provided a but were constrained by Pakistan's political environment, including restricted freedom of expression and blocks, which Nazir cited as hindering his creative output and public reach. Despite PML-N's electoral successes in , Nazir's jingles did not achieve the viral traction of his earlier work, reflecting the niche role of such commissioned music in Pakistani campaigns. In September 2013, a banking court in issued bailable warrants for Muhammad Shahid Nazir and his brothers after they failed to repay a Rs 6.6 million loan, equivalent to approximately $66,000, originally taken in 2008 from a leasing company for vehicle purchases. The court acted on a criminal from the company, leading to the brothers' initial and subsequent release upon providing an undertaking to settle the ; Nazir secured in October 2013. By March 2014, Nazir faced formal in the banking case, with the hearing adjourned for witness testimonies. In June 2017, a suspect accused of robbing Nazir was released from custody, prompting Nazir to publicly claim he had been defrauded of 40 million by Nishat, a in Chunian Sugar Mills, in a separate dealing. These incidents compounded Nazir's financial strains, as his viral success from "" yielded limited long-term earnings, leaving him reliant on his family's transport despite side music production.

Discography

Singles

"One Pound Fish Man's sole major commercial single, "", was released on 7 December by Warner Music, following the viral success of a customer-recorded video of his in . The track, a novelty produced with electronic beats and retaining elements of Nazir's original Punjabi-accented sales pitch, debuted on the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 28, while reaching number 4 on the Dance Chart and number 1 on the Asian Chart. It sold over 50,000 copies in its first week, qualifying for a silver certification equivalent in the . Various remixes of "One Pound Fish" were subsequently released to capitalize on its popularity, including the Remix incorporating traditional Indian percussion, the Remix emphasizing club-friendly beats, the Fire-Tiger Mix with intensified electronic production, and a later Trap Remix blending hip-hop elements. These variants appeared on digital platforms and contributed to extended chart presence, particularly in European markets where the single was re-released starting in in early 2013. No additional original singles by Nazir under the One Pound Fish Man branding achieved comparable commercial release or chart documentation in major markets.

References

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