There is no denying the fact that music creates such immersive feelings of pure bliss. It allows you to get hooked on the complete equation of perfected tunes and vocals. And when it comes to the musical ingenuity of the artists of Pakistan, there is no comparison really! These maestros are able to bring forth such defining numbers which have created ripple effects, rocking not just the locals but also creating global mayhem. Social Diary presents some of the major artists and songs that managed to make us wrapped in musical wonders!
Pasoori’s Global Magic!
The highest-streamed song in Pakistan was the Coke Studio collaboration of Ali Sethi and Shae Gill’s ‘Pasoori’. Earlier this year, ‘Pasoori’ became the first ever Pakistani song that hit the top 3 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 list, cementing its global appeal. The song has been loved all around the world including India. Pasoori proved that art has no boundaries. Coke Studio producer Xulfi, commenting on the ‘Pasoori’ reign said, “Surreal knowing that BTS is second in the list. It’s a music act we researched before the season. And then Imagine Dragons, one of my favorite music acts, is on the list too. Just unbelievable. Congratulations team.”
Meet The Veiled Woman Rapper- Eva B.
Pakistan’s first veiled woman rapper, Eva B certainly made global news when she appeared on the digital billboard in Times Square, New York. As per Spotify’s press, Eva B has almost 400,000 listeners on the largest music streaming app. Her famous song, Kana Yaari has more than 10 million streams on the audio streaming platform.Inspired by rappers from the United States, Eminem and Queen Latifah, she started writing lyrics from her bedroom and posting her raps to Facebook where she built up a following.Her favourite song, ‘Bayani Rog’, in her native Balochi language, tells the story of her evolution from shy, nervous teenager to the self-assured, frank woman she is today.
Journey to the Grammys with Arooj
Brooklyn-based Pakistani vocalist Arooj Aftab, who became the first Pakistani woman to bag the coveted Grammy Award in the Best Global Performance category for her song ‘Mohabbat’, has faced quite a few challenges to achieve the feat. Aftab studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston, then moved to New York City in 2011, where she has been making music ever since, merging the sounds of jazz, electronica, and reggae with the folk tunes of her hometown. Arooj Aftab is a self-taught musician she learnt the basics of music by listening to artists such as Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and the American jazz diva Billie Holiday. Her work simply stands out and has certainly brought Urdu lyrics and ghazals to the mainstream media.
The Spotify Stars!
Atif Aslam and Talha Anjum made It To The Top-Ranked Streamed Artists On Spotify in 2022. Atif Aslam, the most-streamed Pakistani musician, has continued to rule his fans’ hearts in 2022. Talha Anjum, who made it to the top of the lists and is still a fan favorite, ranked second. Rising stars that not only dominated the local music industry but also the entire world made 2022 their year. Abdul Hannan, who has continuously topped the local charts, is a prime illustration of how successful Pakistan’s independent music culture has been.
“When the Musical Giants Unite”
One of the most notable features of this year’s Coke Studio was it featured a wide range of musical influences, including classical, Sufi, Folk, Qawwali, Ghazal, Bhangra, Pop, Rock, Rap, and Hip Hop. But probably the biggest song to have come out this year would have been ‘Tu Jhoom’ featuring the powerhouses Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal. Truly a work of perfection, this melodious duet is timeless!
