So, Coke Studio will always have a special place in Pakistan's musical archives.
It's almost become part of our culture.
And while the shift of creative control from Rohail Hayat to Bilal Maksud and Vessel Kabadia
of Strings did cause some debates, but I still think that as a platform for local artists,
it continues to be unparalleled. That being said, I do have one complaint,
which is that in nine seasons of Coke Studio, some people still haven't had a chance to be
on the program. We all have a list of favorites and this is mine. These are five people that need
to appear on Coke Studio.
Esenbari has quite an impressive resume. A graduate in music, he has been composing for
theater, television, and professional studios since 2007. He even had a brief stint with the
Sindhi Sufi band, The Sketches, and is currently heading the acclaimed sounds of Kolachi.
But his talent is just one half of the equation. He is also a respected musician who has gotten a
lot of praise from his peers and music enthusiasts. Because of this, he is the kind of musician that
Coke Studio has released to the world in the past. Remember when they brought us Sai Zahoor or
Akhtar Janal Zahiri or Tahir Mittu? All of these gentlemen had one thing in common.
They were established musicians who hadn't had a chance on a commercial stage, which is exactly
what the studio offered them. And it's also what made the program itself special. See,
when it was first launched, it's appeal wasn't that it was a quirky musical program that revamped
classic songs. That had been done before. What was unique about Coke Studio was that it uncovered
relatively hidden talents. People who had been good for a very long time and had been doing
their thing but needed a platform to reach a larger audience. An Aesan Bahri is such an artist.
Coke Studio has always had a thing for Sufi music. Understandably, because it is both a local
favorite and can be merged with other genres to create a unique blend. Usually the folk musicians
featured on the program fit into one of two categories. They are either traditional Sufi
musicians like the legendary Aapita Parveen or the fabulous Sana Marvi. Or they are folk acts
that appeal to a younger audience like Sef Semejo and the sketches. And this is why Aruj Aftab
is a great candidate because she kind of fits into both of these categories. Her earthy vocal
quality is reminiscent of classic Sufi singers. But as the champion of Neo Sufism, she appeals to a
younger audience. Listen to any of her songs. She has a refreshingly unique take on Sufi music,
which if you think about it is what made Coke Studio such a hit.
Okay, so the local music industry has a very annoying habit of putting people in boxes.
For example, if you happen to be female, chances are that you have been written off as a
pop princess or my personal favorite, a diva. Which I don't even know what that word means anymore.
But my point is that anything new or unorthodox has a difficult time in the local scene.
And this is one of the reasons for Coke Studio's early success. Because it appeared to be
partnering with performers who were not the norm. And this is also why Saima Zakir needs to be on
the roster. How many of us, when we think of a Pakistani female musician, think of an electric
guitarist? I'm going to say not that many. And if you follow her on Facebook, then you know that
she has been involved in a number of projects recently, including a stint as a background
vocalist and guitarist for a television soap opera. And while it's great to see her getting some
appreciation, but this girl deserves more. She deserves to be the main event, which is what
Coke Studio can offer her. Although it has to be said that if they are going to do this,
then they need to do it right. It can't be a toned down version of Saima Zakir. It needs to
be Saima Zakir in all her glory. She needs to bring all of her swag to the studio, the electric
guitar, the hair, the Portugal jersey, all of it. This girl has the talent and grit to track the
local music scene, kicking and screaming into 2017. And Coke Studio needs to let her do that.
Okay, so this one genuinely confused me. A self-taught musician who has made a name for
himself through YouTube covers and then went on to write and produce his own music, all while
gaining viral success, collaborating with international artists, performing across the
country and acquiring brand endorsements. But this guy hasn't been on Coke Studio.
His story reads like a PR dream. Of all the artists on this list, he has the most impressive
following. And that, along with his talent, is why he needs to be on the program. See,
while we love it for introducing fresh new talents to the world, the production team behind Coke Studio
also have to think about the economics of it. They need to have people on the roster who have
mass appeal and can draw in audiences. See, there was a reason why people like Mavish Hayat were
invited onto the show. And this isn't me hating on anyone. It's just me pointing out the facts.
Often, it's not enough for someone to be talented. They also have to be marketable.
And that's the thing about Abdullah Qureshi. He practically markets himself. Simultaneously though,
while he is a celebrity, the reason behind his fame is his decidedly charming sound.
He is the perfect blend of talent and mass appeal.
Okay, so I had to limit this list to five, but Temur Saladin or Muru deserves a shout out.
For a brand that has made a name for itself as a patron of the unique, it would be tragic if
Coke Studio's songs began sounding the same. And at the risk of ruffling some feathers,
I'm going to say that that is kind of happening. You know, there's a formula that most of their
productions follow. The fusion tracks leaning towards folk. And there's nothing wrong with that.
But once upon a time, it was new and exciting. Now, we've seen it. A lot. And they need something
different. Enter Temur Saladin. Forget thinking outside the box. This guy thinks outside the
realms of possibility. Listen to his take on Gharoli, which is as innovative as it is underrated.
He takes a lot of risks, not just in terms of the themes of his music, but also in his execution.
And I think that would be good for Coke Studio. They need imagination on steroids.
They need creativity that doesn't respect boundaries. He was featured on Coke Studio
gigs, which is like an extension of the program for the fans. But that's not good enough. Give him
a proper Coke Studio production. Now, could there be another number one? These are still
early days, but I think that it would be fair to say that 2017 has been a great year for Abid
Brody. His literal ascend from rags to riches or not exactly riches just yet, but he's getting
there. At any rate, he was a welcome surprise for the local industry. The self-taught rapper has shown
some great musical prowess and a knack for performing. And everything that I've said about
all the other artists on this list, Abid Brody is kind of the perfect blend of all of that.
He is an underdog. He is unexpected. He is talented, but also unique. He is a vital sensation,
and he is just so likable. I mean, look at the way people have responded to him.
In an interview, he even said that he wants to perform for Coke Studio. And I think that we
can all admit that that would be the perfect next chapter for this new age fairy tale.
While a lot of artists need Coke Studio to further their careers,
I'm going to argue that Coke Studio kind of needs Abid Brody as well.
Now, I have been a dedicated studio fan since I can remember, but in 2017,
they faced a variety of competition from the likes of Neskete Basement, Lahuti Life Sessions,
and recently, Patari Dabi. And to continue being a leader in the field, Coke Studio needs to work
with the best people. They need musicians who are unique, talented, and can also bring in the
numbers. Abid Brody is that. Seriously, hey, Coke Studio, make this happen. Can you imagine how
awesome it would be if this guy brought his Sidney swag into the next season? It would be perfect.
Okay, so that sums it up for this video. If you guys like our videos,
please consider donating money on Patreon, subscribe to our channel, and follow us on social
media. All the links are in the description. And who do you think needs to be on Coke Studio?
Let us know in the comments.
