On the occasion of World Music Day, You! is featuring upcoming and renowned music artists of Pakistan…
world music day
Nothing beats the sound of your favourite song playing in the background; it just goes into your brain and body and makes you move. Or perhaps it transports you to a distant place and time, where you linger in reminiscence of days gone by and nostalgia. Some of our favourite songs may take us out of despair and stress, making an otherwise dull day seem happy. World Music Day honours music in all of its forms, as well as the influence it has had on the globe and the human spirit. World Music Day, or Fête de la Musique, is celebrated every year on the 21st of June. The first World Music Day was observed in the year 1982 in France, when people were urged to play music outdoors to participate in festivities. Since then, World Music Day has spread to other parts of the world and is now a global celebration of music.
With the digital boom in terms of video and music streaming apps and platforms, Pakistanis are being introduced to a new artist every other month. Until last year, we had only come to familiarise ourselves with Abdullah Siddiqui and Hassan Raheem. Today, we can’t help but sing along to Natasha Noorani’s and Kaifi Khalil’s tracks. Yet, it seems we are only scratching the surface. So to better understand today’s tastes, here are our pick of rising stars.
Revisit your old favourites or discover new artists on this World Music Day…
Anushae Babar Gill, popularly known as Shae Gill, is a Pakistani singer and cover-artist, mostly known for her Punjabi duet song ‘Pasoori’ with Ali Sethi. She started her career as a cover-artist on Instagram in 2019. She mainly posted cover songs on Instagram, before releasing her debut original, which made her a social media sensation overnight. Her voice has mesmerised the audience with her soothing and soulful voice. Her other songs include ‘Sukoon’ ‘Aa Miley Yunhi’ and the most recent one, ‘Bulleya’.
Asim Azhar is a Pakistani-born multitalented performer who has also dabbled in acting. Before he became famous, he began his career as a singer on YouTube, where he sang popular Western songs of the time. He rose to fame with his song ‘Tera Woh Pyaar’ from Coke Studio Season 9. Asim dropped his debut album, titled ‘Noor’, in 2017. His followers and other listeners alike took to and appreciated these melodies. In 2020, he joined Arif Lohar, Haroon, and Ali Azmat in performing the cricket anthem ‘Tayaar Hain’ for Pakistan Super League (PSL). His songs ‘Jo Tu Na Mila’ and ‘Ghalat Fehmi’ have gained him massive attention and popularity.
Kaifi Khalil is a Pakistani singer-songwriter and composer based in Karachi. He rose to prominence in 2022 after his debut in Coke Studio’s Balochi song ‘Kana Yaari’, which was also written and composed by him. His song ‘Kahani Suno 2.0’ topped Spotify charts in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India. He is known for his unique music style which is bringing a twist to traditional Balochi music by combining it with modern music. He first started with a YouTube channel in 2016, where he uploaded his first YouTube video, an acoustic cover of the Balochi song ‘Mani Tawe Dost’. Thereafter, he uploaded covers of numerous Balochi and Urdu songs. His career was kick-started by the non-profit Karachi-based organisation called ‘I AM KARACHI’. In 2020, he came into the limelight with the song ‘Bya K Bacheke Abdaale’ which garnered more than 1 million views. Other singles released by him include ‘Baali Guraab’, ‘Kadi Kaye’ and ‘Mast’.
Eva B is largely considered as the first female Pakistani rapper to pick up a microphone and press record. Hailing from the streets of Lyari, the bilingual rapper has amassed a large fan base after appearing alongside pop sensation Kaifi Khalil in the 14th season of the Coke Studio franchise and having her hit single ‘Rozi’ featured in the award-winning miniseries ‘Ms Marvel’. Aside from that, Eva has been in several advertisements for various products and media outlets in Pakistan, making her one of the de facto ambassadors of empowerment and strength for young Pakistani women. Eva also holds the distinction of being the first Baloch artist to be displayed at Times Square, New York.
Annural is a Pakistani singer/songwriter/composer based in Islamabad, a budding sensation who has taken the internet world by storm with her astounding voice. She started her music career in early 2021 and has been experimenting in different music genres and collaborating with local artists up till now. Her style of music is mainly desi R&B and pop. Her musical journey began via her Instagram by uploading video covers of all her favourite songs. Today, she has released multiple originals of her own and collaborated with renowned different artists. Her musical journey is a representation and extension of her love and passion for music. Her songs include ‘Kehdena’, ‘Taara’, ‘Dil Pukaray’, ‘Tere Liye’ and ‘Trust Issues’ among others.
Maria is a musician with a storied connection to her craft. She puts a part of herself into all of her work, which comes across as raw and honest. Her work has been her featured on multiple platforms across the country. She has appeared on Nescafe Basement multiple times and has released several well received singles. Some of them are ‘No Roses’, ‘All I Hear’, ‘All for You’, ‘Feel’ and ‘Time’ among others.
Young Stunners - Talha Anjum and Talhah Yunus, are a Pakistani Urdu-language hip-hop duo formed in Karachi in 2012. The pair rose to fame as rappers on YouTube after releasing their first song ‘Burger-e-Karachi’. The duo is most popular amongst the younger generation, who are able to easily relate to the lyrics used in their songs. Over the years, they have created a lot of amazing songs, from ‘Cali to Karachi’, to ‘Laga Reh’, to ‘Afsaney’. Young stunners, are more especially well liked because of their lyrics. The stories depicted in the lyrics speak to the audience.
Natasha Noorani is a Pakistani musician, festival organiser, and ethnomusicologist. As a singer-songwriter, playback vocalist, and voice-over artist, Natasha has a wide repertoire. She has been practising in khayal gayaki while pursuing current Pakistani pop music, and she was given the Goethe Talents Scholarship in 2019. ‘Munaasib’, her solo EP, is influenced by R&B, neo-soul, and prog rock. She is a member of the Biryani Brothers band and has recorded with Strings, Abdullah Siddiqui, Sikandar Ka Mandar, Talal Qureshi, Gentle Robot, and Jamal Rahman. Noorani has been on the soundtracks for the films ‘Baaji’ (2019) and ‘Chalay Thay Saath’ (2017), as well as Velo Sound Station (2020).
