Yaqoob Atif Bulbula (1947 13 May 2023) was a Pakistani singer and actor.
Zindagi Paani da bulbula was his most famous song released in October 1979, with music and lyrics by veteran music composer Mian Sheheryar of PTV Lahore. Pop artist Abrar-ul-Haq recreated this song in movie Zinda Bhaag in 2013.
Yaqoob Atif started showing his singing talent while he was still in his high school. The school principal noticed his talent early and asked him to sing Pakistan national poet Allama Iqbal's highly popular Na'at song and prayer Lab pe aati hai dua ban ke tamanna meri at the morning assembly meeting at school. Seeing his popularity at his school, Yaqoob Atif started singing and reciting na'at prayers and songs in other places.
He worked at Radio Pakistan, Pakistani film industry and Pakistani television. He also performed worldwide.
He is often described as the "first Punjabi Rapper."
In 2017, he was experiencing hard times due to lack of work and many illnesses. Due to limited resources, his family was forced to live in a rented home in Mughalpura neighborhood, Lahore District, Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan offered to help him with Rs5,000 each month via a 'Khidmat Card' but he refused it because he considered this small amount 'an insult' considering his reputation and popularity as a singer and an actor.
Yaqub Atif had reportedly battled paralysis for the past two years before his death on 13 May 2023.