Coca-Cola Pakistan proudly announces the return of Pakistan’s biggest leading music platform, Coke Studio, for its eleventh consecutive season with the launch of its season opener, ‘Hum Dekhenge’, revealing over 70 artists as part of this landmark season.
Spearheaded by producers Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi, Coke Studio celebrates the message of unity, hope and peace through the words of Pakistan’s most revered poet and intellectual Mr. Faiz Ahmed Faiz. ‘Hum Dekhenge’ is another jewel in the repertory of Mr. Faiz as Coke Studio lends to this powerful nazam the voice of over 70 talented artists to bring new life to ‘Hum Dekhenge. Coke Studio has gone an extra mile this season to ensure that all of Pakistan is truly represented on its platform which has become the pride of the nation.
Speaking about the country’s much celebrated platform, the General Manager of Coca-Cola Pakistan, Rizwan U. Khan said, “At Coca-Cola we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of new dynamic innovations and inspiring content. Coke Studio has always been a source of pride for Pakistani’s world over as a music platform they can identify with. We all look forward to bringing another groundbreaking season of Coke Studio to the nation.”
Coke Studio all set to launch in August 2018, this season of Coke Studio intends to bring back a musical fusion of exciting elements and diverse influences, ranging from traditional Eastern, modern Western and regionally inspired music. Coke Studio Season 11 aims to introduce new genres and fusion where featured artists explore their heritage while showcasing their unique styles. The producers also aim to feature a wide array of languages and a multicultural sprawling list of artists, folklore and poetry from across Pakistan.
Indeed, Coke Studio endeavors to spread the message of hope, optimism, vibrancy and love through the music, moments, interactions, languages, artists, instruments, exploration and exchanges that Season 11 will represent. To this end, with Hum Dekhenge, Coke Studio reveals the following featured artists for Season 11: Abida Parveen, Abrar-ul-Haq, Ahad Raza Mir, Aima Baig, Ali Azmat, Ali Sethi, Amrina and Ariana, Asim Azhar, Asrar, Ataullah Esakhelvi, Bilal Khan, Chand Tara Orchestra, Elizabeth Rai, Fareed Ayaz, Abu Muhammad Qawal & Brothers, Gul Panra, Haniya Aslam, Hassan Jahangir, Humaira Arshad, Jawad Ahmad, Jimmy Khan, Khumariyaan, Lyari Underground Band, Mishal Khawaja, Momina Mustehsan, Mughal-e-Funk, Natasha Baig, Rachel Viccaji, Riaz Qadri and Ghulam Qadri, Sahir Ali Bagga, Sanwal Esakhelvi, Shamu Bai, Shuja Haider, Sounds of Kolachi, The Sketches, Throat Musicians Darehan Khan Maula Baksh, Shayan Maula Baksh and Mangal, Vishnu Arjun, Young Desi and Zarsanga. The season will also witness performances by the international EDM band Krewalla and for the first time Coke Studio celebrates trans-individuals Lucky and Naghma.
Season 11 also marks the return of the houseband, as reimagined by the producers, with Omran ‘Momo’ Shafique on acoustic and electric guitar, Babar Ali Khanna on dholak and percussions, Kamran ‘Mannu’ Zafar on bass, Kami Paul on drums and percussions and introduces Rufus Shahzad on keyboards. Joining the house band this season is Haniya Aslam as the first female house band member on Coke Studio. The season also features Shahab Hussain, Wajiha Naqvi and Mehr Qadir on backing vocals.
“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 – on Coke Studio”. said the producers, Ali Hamza and Zohaib Kazi.
