Bumb Shah is a Pakistani rapper whose music is largely informed by his harrowing life experiences.
Like many artists, he began using drugs early in his career, hoping that they would fuel his creativity. Before long, he fell into a rabbit hole of addiction-centered depravity, something that was reflected in his music.
Thankfully, however, he had both the will and strength to free himself from the shackles of addiction.
Bumb Shah Discovers His Passion for Music
During his adolescence, Bumb Shah became enthralled by the power of music. He was especially influenced by Pakistani rapper Bohemia, the first Punjabi-speaking rapper to achieve mainstream popularity.
It was not only Bohemia’s success that influenced Bumb Shah, but his lyrical content, which was often centered around drugs and decadence.
Bumb Shah began writing his own raps, assisted by his new-found love for hashish (the resin collected from cannabis flowers). He admits that the drug initially fueled creativity, and his early lyrics were reflective of this.
Bumb Shah Descends Into Full-Blown Addiction
When his music began reaching an audience, Bumb Shah was overcome with confidence, so much so that he felt invincible: He would try whatever drug was offered to him.
By the time he picked up cocaine, drugs had become the primary ruling force in his life, even more-so than music.
To afford his habit, he turned to selling drugs himself. Sometimes he even went as far as to steal from his own family, a regret that pains him to this day. But in the moment, his morality was superseded by his unquenchable need.
A Tragedy Inspires Bumb Shah to Turn His Life Around
“One of my very close friends overdosed from heroin and died at a very young age. That’s when I actually paid attention to where I was standing,” he said.
“All of my happy memories were associated with drugs. My songs were all about drugs… There were only two things left in my life: drugs and music. This time, the choice was clear.”
With a habit as severe as Bumb Shah’s, quitting drugs is no easy task, and the artist discovered this in the hardest way imaginable.
After disposing of what drugs he had left, he quickly began to experience extreme withdrawal symptoms. At this point, he was left with no other option than to confess to his family what he had been going through.
Bumb Shah’s Painful Withdrawal Process
Rather than send his son to a rehab center, Bumb Shah’s father made one for him in their home, where the rapper spent 31 days sequestered, enduring intense emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms.
However, after months of sobriety, the withdrawals eventually receded. Currently, Bumb Shah is living a fulfilling, sober life. He continues to make music, no longer needing drugs to fuel his creativity.
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He has earned back his family’s trust. And he has a good reputation within his community. His music, once reflective of his addiction, now reflects his new-found positive outlook on life.
“I am enjoying the true essence of my life without the limitations of drugs,” he said. “When I look back at those memories, I thank god for making me who I am today. And I also thank my dad very much, after all he was the real hero of my story.”
Bumb Shah Resources
To learn more about Bumb Shah and his music, please see the following links:
