
Junoon







KARACHI: For a show that singlehandedly changed the course of Pakistani music, the completion of 10 years is a huge milestone. Not only because anything remotely related to Pakistani music lasts that long but also because these 10 years mean as much to the Pakistani music scene.
Like it or not, you have to accept that Pakistani music is not the same since Coke Studio arrived with a band. For many, it came like a blessing – for others, it came like a curse that made corporate control of the music industry the only way out of its crises. Other corporations were quick to jump the bandwagon, though mostly not proving to be as successful.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY
Challenges that face Coke Studio 10
This time around, the expectations are even higher. If its 10 years for Coke Studio, its 70 years for Pakistan and both complement each other quite organically. The show, since its inception under Rohail Hyatt’s tutelage has been interwoven with the multicultural spirit of the Pakistani identity hence their famous tagline: Sound of the Nation.
Since Strings took over the show in 2014, it was rumoured that Coke Studio was a 10-year deal to begin with, and after String’s third, Rohail will come back and give a great grand farewell to fans with season 10. That has just proven to be another rumour as Strings gear up for the biggest season in the show’s history with nine different producers and various tributes to the stalwarts of the industry.
Faakhir is out, so is Sheraz Uppal and Noori, as Salman Ahmed, Sajjad Ali, Mekaal Hasan, Ali Hamza (as solo artist), Sahir Ali Bagga and Strings join the remaining producers of last year’s lineup. In our previous analysis we had mentioned a Junaid Jamshed tribute but it seems like he’s not the only one being acknowledged this year.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY
Sources inform The Express Tribune that each producer’s set will feature at least one tribute song, and the tributes range from an ode to Faiz Ahmed Faiz in the form of Bol Kay Lab Azaad Hain ft Shafqat Amanat Ali to Dum Mast Qalandar ft Umair Jaswal and a Qawwal party as one to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Sehwan Sharif.
Ali Sethi will remember Mehdi Hasan by singing Ranjish Hi Sahi while Ali Zafar, Ali Hamza and Strings will join forces in Us Rah Par to remember Junaid Jamshed. More tributes are to follow with a wider roster of producers and the songs, like always, songs will mostly be covers and folk tunes with every producer giving a minimum of one original song each.
People are terming Ahmed Jehanzeb and Shafqat Amanat Ali’s original number with Shuja Haider as the next Khaaki Banda while Ali Zafar is all set to bring something very similar to Rockstar to the table. Apart from featuring separately, Danyal Zafar will play the guitar in one of Ali Zafar’s song, making it the first time the two brothers will be seen in a song together.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY
Sajjad Ali’s daughter Zau Ali, who was so far known for her skills as a videographer will also feature in an English song being produced by her father. Rahat and most likely Ali Noor will join Salman Ahmed in a new rendition of Sayonee after what has been termed as a second fall out between Salman and Ali Azmat.

PHOTO: PUBLICITY
Apparently there was an actual Junoon reunion on the cards and Ali Azmat was also on board but things didn’t work out at the eleventh hour. We will share the details of this in our upcoming write-up on Coke Studio 10. Aamir Zaki will play on a track being produced by Jaffar Zaidi in what will prove to be his farewell performance.
With so much nostalgia and so many scattered emotions at play, Coke Studio 10 is bound to give us the feels. Especially when so many young and unknown faces are also set to partake in it. The show will kick off on August 14 with a collaborative rendition of Pakistan’s national anthem.
Here are all the artists involved this time around:
Producers
Shuja Haider
Shaani
Sahir Ali Bagga
Salman Ahmed
Ali Hamza
Jaffar Zaidi
Strings
Sajjad Ali
Mekaal Hasan
Artists we know so far
Humaira Channa
Rahat Fateh Ali
Amanat Ali
Zau Ali ( Sajjad Ali’s daughter)
Ali Zafar
Daniyal Zafar
Strings
Farhan Saeed
Momina Mustehsan
Untitled girl’s chorus
Salman Ahmed
Ataullah Eesakhelvi
Shafqat Amanat Ali
Aima Baig
Ahmed Jehanzeb
Umair Jaswal
Ali Sethi
Humaira Arshad
QB
Nabeel Shaukat
Jabbar Abbas
Natasha Khan
Songs to look forward to
Us Rah Par
Qaumi Tarana
Dam Mast Qalandar
Asan Yaar Manana Ae
Ranjish Hee Sahi
Lathay Dee Chadar
Sayonee
Mujhse Pehli See Mohabbat
Jaanay Baharaaan
Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.
I heard Aamir Zaki might feature as well .. Omran Shafique alluded to that in one of his podcasts.Recommend
The JJ tribute should have been produced by Rohail to give justice to it.Recommend
The only reason i opened this article was in hope to read up on Junoon’s reunion. nooooooooRecommend
Dear Writer & the team management of Coke Studio,
Please bring in Ali Azmat in the season 10 as “Sayonee” will be of no worth without him as one of my friend who is a passionate lover of COke Studio thinks that Salman Ahmed is not a singer but a guitarist in fact. So how an original sound track could be sung by him without ALi AzmatRecommend
Finally the wait is over!
I, as in we just can’t wait for CS to start again and am anticipating for the best (Even though CS 9 wasn’t bad by the way) but this is 10! A whole decade has been passed with the tears and laughter, Coke Studio is like a family to me and I guess, well love it as always.
Thank you Coke Studio for bringing love between Pakistan and India, for showing the whole world what the real Pakistan really is and for making our lives way, way better.Recommend
With the deepest part in my heart I want to thank you Coke Studio, not only have you shown the world what Pakistan is capable of but you brought a smile to millions of people around the world, both India and Pakistan will be jubilant this 14th August!Recommend
OMG OMG
I am so excited!!
Coke studio time of the year is the best timeRecommend
AGAIN
Farhan Saeed??
Umiar Jaswal??
Momina Mustehsan??
who are they? why the come again and again with nothing substantial on their belts,,
what they achieved in whole one year?? nothing, they don’t deserve the many chances they are having,, bring someone new may be he she is our hadiqa kiani aur Sajjad Ali,,
wt a shame,,Recommend
Well seeing this article definitely brought a big smile on my face.
What a joy CS brings to us
So excited for Amalgam of beautiful voices and past melodies and echoes in a new version backup.Recommend
Bring in more regional singer with more regional music!! That is the only way you can get more audience!!Recommend
Incredible achievement, well done on delivering 10 years of incredible music, and long may it last!Recommend
No Balochi or Pashtoo song in the final lineup? Recommend
Disappointed by this artists line up.Recommend
I wish Salman do not sing in Sayonee, he can not sing but is a very good musician and hoping Ali Noor will do justice to the song. Really want a combo of Salman and Ali Azmat (The originals) but not sure yet both joining together. Anyways looking forward to the season. Recommend
Coke Studio Pakistan produces some of the best music in the world. I look forward to another season. Recommend
Umair Jaswaal, Farhan Saeed, Momina Mustehsan??? I better listen something elseRecommend
Atif Aslam?Recommend
Anyone who dares to touch Dum Mast Qalandar by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan should be jailed for life. Especially a screamer (as opposed to a singer) like Jaswal.Recommend
Coke studio give me a chance , I sing just like Arijit Singh Recommend
Aima Baig and Ali Sethi,.. Give me a break! please there are so many talented artists waiting for a chance..Recommend
@Noman:
Yes exactly,like Bilal Saeed,Falak Shabir,Imran Khan and Annie Khalid.I am so disappointed by this artists line up that I don’t even want to write a lengthy comment.Recommend
@XoF: Dont worry Salaman can do justice to it too if indeed he gets to produce it.Recommend
I am excited but I think for the past few years the seasons are rotating around prominent stars, I feel as they have takenot over the show. Where are rurals? Before Strings started to produce CS, Hyatt used to bring unknown musicians to the Studio, but now I am seeing similar faces all most every single year. Guys there are is so much talent in this nation, we need to unearth more voices for the sake of promoting Pakistan music.Recommend