Preceded bySeason 10 (2017)
Coke Studio Pakistan Season 11 (2018)
Succeeded byTBA
| Coke Studio | |
|---|---|
| Season 11 | |
| Starring | List of featured artists |
| No. of episodes | TBA |
| Release | |
| Original network | Webcast |
| Original release | 10 August 2018 |
| Season chronology | |
The eleventh season is an upcoming season of the Pakistani music television series Coke Studio (under the full title One Nation, One Spirit, One Sound) and is scheduled to air on 10 August 2018.[1] After four seasons Strings stepped down as a producer of the show;[2] musicians Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi were announced the producers for eleventh-season.[3][4][5][6] A spin-off series Coke Studio Explorer was released on July 3, 2018 to introduce the new module of the show and featured regional but largely unknown artists and their live recordings.[7][8]
Following is a list of thirty-nine artists including eight bands, five duos and twenty-six solo artists.[9][10] [11]
| Featured artists |
|---|
Following are the musicians line-up for season:
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Main article: List of Coke Studio (Pakistan) episodes |
Preceding the release of season, as a part of a traditional format, Coke Studio revealed this year featured artists performing a rendition of popular nazm, "Hum Dekhenge" by poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, originally recorded by Iqbal Bano.[12][13] The promo song also manifests the nation's political situation in the midst of general elections.[14][15] On continuing the tradition of title song Kazi and Hamza said, "this year’s journey of Coke Studio began with: Coke Studio Explorer to discover music and stories from across Pakistan. As we move closer towards the launch of the Season 11 of the show, we couldn't be more confident about the power of human stories coming together to form a bigger picture. With a three years’ tradition of doing artist reveals with a track which inspire the 'Pakistaniat' in all of us – there couldn’t be a better choice for a track than: "Hum Dekhenge"-A song by sung the people of Pakistan, for the people of Pakistan! In its 11th year, we aim to showcase the diverse cultures and languages across all provinces without the boundaries that bound us to celebrate who we are, where we are and what we are."[16] The song was well received by critics and public.[17][18]
| "Even before we started speaking to Coca-Cola in depth about how to go forward [as producers of season 11], the two of us were sitting in a park on a bench, and we knew that it wasn’t going to be just another gig. We've seen so much divide in the backdrop of the elections this year. So as we talked generally, about life and people and Pakistan, we realised ours truly is a position of influence. It's important for us and we keep reminding ourselves to view this position prudently, and internally, we decided to approach this season as fans. Behind every decision went long discussions because we’re aware of how this needs to be dealt with a lot of responsibility." |
| – Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi, Dawn News, July 2, 2018.[19] |
After producing four seasons Bilal Maqsood and Asif Kapadia of Strings left the show to continue their own music.[20] The duo announce the news on their official Facebook page citing, "Coke Studio Season 10 will be the last season produced by Strings. It has been a fantastic journey for us over the course of 4 seasons and we are grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and share our work with all of you. 2018 will mark 30 years of Strings and we are super excited to celebrate with all of you so stay tuned for more updates as we embark on yet another exciting chapter in our musical journey!".[21]
In March 2018, Coca-Cola Pakistan announced Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi would helm the production and direction of eleventh season.[22][23] Coca-Cola officially released a statement saying, "we are thrilled to welcome Zohaib Kazi and Ali Hamza as the new producers. Zohaib and Ali are both Coke Studio veterans, who have played an instrumental role in its success over the years. We cannot wait to share their brilliance with all of you, as we embark on a most exciting new chapter of the Coke Studio Pakistan journey."[24] After Strings departure, it was earlier reported that Noori will take charge as a new producers, however their publicist denied such reports, only to be revealed later that Ali Hamza will be a part of producing team.[25]
Fahad Qadir who is a director of public Affairs and communications of Coca-Cola, revealed on approaching Kazi and Hamza saying, "I think it was a natural evolution. Rohail Hayat came to a point where he thought change was good, he thought he couldn't do justice to Coke Studio anymore. Hats off to him; he brought Coke Studio where it is today. Strings had a different sound and brought in a different bag of producers. If you see the music right now it is a very different sound than 10 years ago. This sound did not exist 10 years ago. I think music has its evolution and so does Coke Studio. These are the producers we feel have the right blend, the experience, the history with Coke Studio the understanding of Coke Studio to take it to the next level. Ali Hamza, of course, has been with Coke Studio; he’s performed, he’s directed and he’s produced. Zohaib has also worked with Coke Studio for a number of years (with Rohail and Strings).[26][27]
It was later revealed that Hamza and Kazi met in August, 2017 in Lahore and a month later they were approached for producing the season eleven, Kazi recounts, "we had a conversation in August actually, that was the first time we connected on a personal level."[28] “We sat down to talk very specifically about this opportunity and it was amazing! In a matter of 10 to 15 minutes we were so triggered, so driven — I truly felt I had known Zohaib for a long time."[29] Regarding the shows format the duo said,"'what do we do after ten years?' We had to innovate. It was very important for us to recognize and acknowledge the countercultures that exist around us; these are the people who give our identity depth. Coke Studio has the reach to allow us to get to know these cultures more intimately and to amplify their colors."[30] Detailing further they recalled, "we felt that CS had to spread its wings and throw a larger net across the country, to not just attract the urban pool, but the rural pool as well. At the end of the day, the regions and its people collectively make Pakistan. It was important for us to explore this vision in depth."[30]
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Main article: Coke Studio Explorer |
As a part of a new module,[31] a pin-off series Coke Studio Explorer was created before the launch of season eleven-a concept similar to Kazi's previous work on his album Fanoos that featured relatively unknown artists across the country where recordings were done live and edited later.[19] Kazi explained, "in Fanoos, we limited ourselves to recording musicians on location. We do much more in Coke Studio Explorer by highlighting the culture, stories and ethos behind the music. After presenting the musicians in their home locations, we bring them to our studios and record them in the traditional style of Coke Studio, as well. I think people will enjoy listening to the musicians perform in two very different settings."[32]
In an interview duo said, "we established the criteria for selection before embarking on our search for musicians. The musicians had to be relatively unknown. They had to represent a unique aspect of the culture, history and spirit of Pakistan. And, they had to be talented. The selections were made in the field-in a natural, freewheeling and largely unrestrained manner – using the criteria that had been established in the beginning."[32] The duo developed a special mobile recording system for the on-location recordings and while additional tracks and engineering was completed in studio.[32][30]
The duo travelled in all four provinces and Kashmir to find artists that were known in their native regions but were unknown to mainstream media.[33][34] The duo discovered a sixteen-years old Amrina and Ariana from Kalash, Chitral,[35] the brother-sister duo of Vishnu and Shamu Bai from Deewan Lal Chand village of Sindh,[36] from Sohbatpur District, Balochistan throat-singers Mangal, Darehan and Shayan (now known as Bloach Throat singers),[37] a fusion band Qasamir lead by Altaf Mir with Ghulam Mohammad Daar, Manzoor Ahmed Khan, Saifuddin Shahfrom from Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir,[38] and the fifth and final collaboration was with Mishal Khawaja a Pakistani born-Canadian singer was discovered through her Instagram covers.[39]
Among thirty-nine artists, fifteen musicians debut with season eleven including seven bands, five duos, and three solo artists.[40] Actor and singer Ahad Raza Mir,[41] Lahore-based rapper Young Desi;[42] singer Elizabeth Rai who is particularly known for her song in the film Teri Meri Love Story and Illinois-based duo Jahan and Yasmine Yousaf of Krewella made their debuts.[43] Four of five artists from Coke Studio Explorer series appeared in the season, while singers Riaz Qadri and Ghulam Qadri along with hip-hop band L.U.G (Lyari UnderGround),[42] who previously worked with Kazi on his album Fanoos, also made their debuts.[44][45]
For the first time in the history of Coke Studio, two transgender singers, Naghma and Lucky were included as featured artists.[46] Their appearence received overwhelming response from media critics and people.[47][48][49][50][51] Several featured artits returned from last season, and some appeared from previous season as well,[52] including Humera Arsahd who were on a haitius before appearing in tenth-season, Arshad said, "this will be the beginning of a new phase for me in my singing career. Besides this, I am sure that I will be able to surprise music lovers."[53]
The series has received largely positive reviews from critics, with particular praise given to its new module, diversity, performances and Coke Studio efforts in showcasing and bringing the indigenous art form of Pakistan to the mainstream media.[54][55] Television critic Shaheer Anwar of The Express Tribune said, "the duo promised to bring a new flavour to the traditional Coke Studio and seem to have accomplished their goal so far by introducing Coke Studio Explorer. This is what many are calling a bonus to the upcoming season that aims to discover musical talent from all across Pakistan."[56] Actor turned musician Arshad Mehmood said, "the new season of Coke Studio comes with a message of love, unity, passion and pride that is exceedingly relevant to the current times. It should be heard, savoured and celebrated."[57] Forbes contributor journalist, Sony Rehman from Lahore marked, "Coke Studio's previous seasons have dealt with its fair share of criticism and mixed reactions over certain song selections and collaborations, gauging by Coke Studio Explorer, it may just hit all the right notes this year."[58] The season has been praised for its diversity and inclusion of new artists,[59][60] Ali Samoo wrote, "this season seems to have made a very strong effort to cast an all-inclusive and representative musical spirit, painting a vibrant picture of Pakistan for the world to see. It is perhaps to show us how togetherness is what makes us beautiful, to prevent a divide and to convey solidarity amongst the nationals. The culturally pluralist amalgamation was perhaps made also to make the election time a bit more peaceful."[61]