From Gen-Z soloists to maestros: 'Coke Studio 14' set to revolutionise Pakistani music

Celebrating the real magic of Pakistani music, Coke Studio has released the official trailer for its season 14 – revealing the boundary-pushing artists that light up the season, stated a press release. Releasing its first episode on January 14, the upcoming season boasts a new vibe, premised on the fact that music in 2022 is revolutionised.

But here's the big question: what does a 14-year-old platform like Coke Studio really know about today? To answer that you have to take a look at the Coke Studio Season 14 roster; envisioned, assembled and let loose by visionary producer and curator Zulfiqar (Xulfi) Jabbar Khan. 

But here's the big question: what does a 14-year-old platform like Coke Studio really know about today? To answer that you have to take a look at the Coke Studio Season 14 roster; envisioned, assembled and let loose by visionary producer and curator Zulfiqar (Xulfi) Jabbar Khan.

It’s a mad mash-up of Gen-Z soloists and the grandmasters that lit the way. This year’s reboot also embraces the bond between music, aesthetics and attitude. Each of the thirteen songs comes with a unique video, created by some of Pakistan’s most progressive directors including Kamal Khan, Murtaza Niaz, Jamal Rahman and Coke Studio veteran Zeeshan Parwez.

With Pakistan's premium live sound expert Ishaq Nazir and sound tech squad that included Sherry Khattak and Turaab Khan in pivotal roles, the result is a confessional season wrapped in delicious visuals and sound.

The cuts radiate optimism and big dreams. There are Abida Parveen, Naseebo Lal and Faisal Kapadia. There are Atif Aslam, Ali Sethi and the incandescent Meesha Shafi, Momina Mustehsan and Quratulain Balouch. But there is also formerly-indie-now-Grammy-nominated Arooj Aftab and socials-big artists like Hasan Raheem, Kaifi Khalil and Shae Gill - seriously talented performers on the cusp of blowing up.

There are also risky cross-overs like Young Stunners in a ballad and metal overlaid by Faris Shafi. Dynamic performers such as Soch, Asfar Hussain, Lahore Jazz Ensemble, Zain-Zohaib, Karakoram, Eva B, Abdul Wahab Bugti and Ameer Buksh, Butt Brothers and Justin Bibis round out the roster. It’s all held together by visionary collaborators like Abdullah Siddiqui, ActionZain, Talal Qureshi, Adnan Dhool, Arsalan Hasan and Rovalio. Fusing them all together was the masterstroke of Xulfi and Coke Studio.

This is the era of Pakistan’s self-actualisation, and as Pakistan’s biggest cultural export, Coke Studio knows it. “Artistic, talented, progressive - if we get our powers together, we are amazing,” Xulfi said. He added, “For me, Coke Studio can open peoples’ hearts to Pakistan.”

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