Back with Bhangra: ‘Desi Thumka’ sensation set to make a comeback

Singer Osama Com Laude to return to spotlight after four years with new single releasing Eidul Fitr

KARACHI: 2011 was the year when one song dominated all mehndi events across the country. Desi Thumka by Nouman Khalid and Osama Com Laude (OCL) was one of the top hits of the year and one could hear it everywhere, be it local shops, cars at the traffic signal or any kind of celebrations.

Khalid and OCL rose to massive fame with this collaboration, collecting over five million views on Youtube (till date) and gained huge mainstream attention. The song was even used in last year’s Lahore Se Aagey with Saba Qamar grooving to the catchy beats. But it seemed as if after offering one hit, the viral sensations disappeared from the spotlight.



OCL, whose real name is Osama Karamat, put out a few solo projects but they didn’t make as much noise as Desi Thumka did. And now, after four years of absence, he is set to make his return with a new track, the first of three, on Eidul Fitr. Titled Baghdad, OCL has spent more than a year on this project.

“I can confidently say that this single will reintroduce me to the public in a way that'll be unbelievably fresh and something that hasn't been done in Pakistan before,” he told The Express Tribune. “It's going to be fun and dare I say glorious.” Whereas the song is about his appreciation for women and their beauty, OCL shared it doesn’t have a single curse word as many other rappers use.

“The song itself is all about my appreciation and love of women and their beauty and the best part is it's all done without a single curse word in it. It's probably some of my most clever and smart writing to date,” he said. “And it's all topped off with a catchy hook and infectious beat and a surprise that will get this video across the world.”



As to whether the song will objectify women like other similar songs (and as suspected from the cover art), he said, “We tend to only look at women as ‘eye candy’ in regard to music videos. With this video, I want to present women in a more powerful and strong light. The girls will bring forth an edge yet still maintain their beauty and class.”

He continued, “The cover art is actually the opposite of objectifying women. Women are beautiful creatures. Admiring their physical beauty doesn't mean they're being objectified. A woman lights up any space with her presence, whether it's a home, work place or this cover art. Women are powerful in many, many ways. Admiring one of their attributes doesn't mean I'm taking away from all the other various ones they possess. I cannot pay tribute to all their qualities in my cover art because this is not a political statement. It's just music and entertainment. So, I suggest we take this for just what it is.”

As to what took him so long to return to music, OCL noted that even though he did put out a few solos after Desi Thumka, they didn’t catch the buzz. “And then the eventual YouTube ban (in 2012) came about and the momentum totally died. Not everyone knows this but I'm a doctor,” he said.



“And there came a point in my pursuit of the MBBS degree that I decided to focus and finish that first so I'd be able to give my 101% to my music. Then projects came and went but I wasn't able to give them much time because I couldn’t put my heart and soul into them.”

The rapper also noted with the three new tracks to be released in 2017, he will be relaunching himself in a way which will allow his fans to reconnect with him on a bigger yet more personal level. The song, its video and artwork is produced by Huz Kai. And while we can’t wait to hear OCL’s new track this Eid, the big question is why Baghdad? Guess we will have to wait until this Eid.

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