Many of her fans remember 13-year-old Nazia Hasan in two braids with the universal uniform of any girl her age -- blue jeans and a T-shirt -- and with a face like an angel and a voice like a siren.

Nazia Hassan

Her maiden song Aap jaisa koi meree zindagee mein aaye, to baat ban jaaye, in Feroz Khan's movie Qurbani created a sensation all over the subcontinent. And beyond. She went on to sing some more, got married, faded out of public life, contracted lung cancer and recently died. She was in her mid 30s.

But her song has endured. And today, two artists from Trinidad have taken the song to a new height of popularity.

Keeping the original lyrics and using a remix of hip hop and chutney/soca artists Machel Montano and Drupatee have created a song called Real Unity which has been the number one song on Caribbean lists and is the most-demanded song in Caribbean clubs in Trinidad, Canada, UK and US.

A smash hit since its release, the song is a tribute to racial unity in Trinidad. It is featured on Machael Montano/Xtatik CD 2000 Young to Soca (JW Records) and was recently re-released on the CD Chutney Soca (JMC Music).

Neither artiste knew or met Hasan but both know about her recent death. And they knew the song, which they both liked.

"It's a beautiful song, it's a love song and it was very popular in Trinidad and Tobago," Montano said.

"The song caters to all. The past, the present, the future. The past is the song, the present is Drupatee's and my input, the future, is the approach to the music; people found it different and fresh," said Montano, explaining the popularity of the song.

Drupatee

Drupatee Ramgonai is an Indo-Caribbean who has been a popular chutney artist for twelve years. She watches Hindi movies, knows many songs and admires Lata Mangeshkar.

Ramgonai agreed to collaborate on a song with Machel but they had no idea which song it was going to be.

Machel Montano

Machel Montano, 25, along with his band Xtatik has been a major soca player for years creating a high-energy, soca/dance fusion with hip hop and rock -- a combination that gets the clubs vibrating.

"When I walked into the studio, Machel was humming the song (Aap Jaisa Koi) and I started singing it because I recognized it and I really liked it. He was jumping for joy when he heard me and I just knew that this song would be a hit and bring everyone together," Ramgonai said.He has used Hindi songs before.

"Ideas come spontaneously and by divine inspiration. I live in a multi-racial society, where East Indians form a large part of the population, so Indian music is part of my culture. There must be a love," Montano said.

For Anita Jaikaran, the CEO of JMC Music Inc, the record company that bought the song and produced it, the success of the song is no surprise.

"It just brings bridges the gap between cultures. Whether you're from India, Trinidad or black, you respond to the music of the Indian singing, the soca and chutneys. The coming together of two artists as one sends out positive vibes which attracts people everywhere in nightclubs, parties or parades," said Jaikaran.

Hear the song from the Soca Vibes sound room.