Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: December 26, 2024 | 
Jhol by Mannu and Annural Khalid
As we come near to the close of 2024, while the country is struggling on many fronts, one area where Pakistan is definitely soaring is its music scene. What was lacking in terms of film music in Pakistan during 2024 was more than made up by independent music creators, official sound tracks (OSTs) of television dramas, and music labels. Sadly, the year also saw exit of two very big names of Pakistan’s music scene. Demise of veteran Ustad Tafu Khan, musician and tabla-nawaz left the film music world poorer. Creator of timeless hots such as ‘Sunn wey balori akh waliya’ (Listen, O beloved, with your eyes), ‘Munda Shehar Lahore da’ (The Boy from Lahore City), ‘Ik Baat Kahun Dildara, Tere Ishq Ne Mujh Ko Maara’ (One thing I say, O Beloved, your love has slain me), ‘Mein Jis Din Bhula Doon Tera Pyar Dil Se’ (The day I forget your love from my heart), and ‘Ki Dam Da Bharosa Yaar, Dam Aaway Na Aaway’ (What is the guarantee of life, O friend, a breath may or may not return), Tafu passed away on 26th October 2024 in Lahore. In August 2024, the untimely death of Haniya Aslam of Zeb and Haniya duo left music aficionados shocked. The duo shot to fame with contributions such as ‘Paimona’ (Promises), ‘Chup’ (Silence) and ‘Bibi Sanam Jaanam’ (Lady, My Beloved) in various Coke Studio Sessions year after year. May the departed souls rest in eternal peace. Coming back to 2024, let us do a recap of the best numbers that a bevy of talented musicians created.
In February 2024, the newest kids on the block, Aashir, Nayel, and Nehaal came out with a track that set the tone for what to expect for the rest of the year. The contagious melody of this number in the genre of R&B and hip-hop was eagerly picked up by listeners, desperately looking for a fresh sound. The catch-line ‘Key Janam Pyar Tum Say Hay (This life’s love is for you),’ had countless reels made by TikTok users on it. In Ashir, Pakistan found a new pop music prodigy after showcasing his talents as a composer in 2019 ‘Chhalawa’ (Deception) and 2023 film score ‘Peela Rung’ (Yellow Color).
Sadqay by Aashir Wajahat, Nayel and Nehal Naseem
Pakistan’s music fans have always shown an appetite for a diversity of sounds. From rap to pop, hip hop to rock, blues and ballads, the next hit can come from any genre. In March 2024, music producer, Rauhan Malik and composer and vocalist Faheem Abdullah, came out with Ishq with lyrics by Amir Ameer. Interestingly while Faheem and Rauhan are from Indian occupied Kashmir, Amir Ameer is from this side of the border. Ishq’s soothing melody made it the perfect anthem for those who understand Urdu and were longing for a love ballad.
While Umair’s debut album ‘Rockstar Without a Guitar’ that came out in April 2024 had 19 songs, Come Through by Abdullah Maharvi and Talha Anjum stole the show. Abdullah Maharvi, a law graduate from SOAS has a very melancholic quality to his vocals which is particularly impressive in falsetto sections. Talha, the golden boy of Pakistan’s rap scene adds to the pathos of the song with his smooth delivery of angst-filled verses. Together they make Come Through a Gen-Z masterpiece.
Come Through by Talha Anjum, Abdullah Maharvi and Umair
The latest album of Grammy-Award winner Arooj Aftab is a masterclass in velvet voice of this incredible Pakistani-American singer. Arooj Aftab has already received Grammy nominations for the 2025 Raat Ki Rani, marking her fourth consecutive year of recognition by the Recording Academy. Her single Raat Ki Rani is running for Best Global Music Performance, while her album Night Reign has earned a nomination for Best Alternative Jazz Album. Raat Ki Raani is an immaculate display of minimalism with deep dark vocals, percussions and piano notes, while the first Arooj song where she uses auto-tune but yet retaining her organic texture.
How can there be any list of best Pakistani songs without an entry by the brightest star of them all. Atif Aslam added another soulful number in his already rich repertoire in 2024. The drama Gentleman and its writing by the most controversial playwright Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar fell short on many fronts but where it didn’t fail was the OST. ‘Humari aankhein tumhara chehra - Kabhi milenge toh baat hogi’. (Our eyes and your face, we shall talk when they meet) . Imagine these lines in Atif Aslam’s unique husky voice or better still watch it one more time on YouTube. A beautiful video featuring Humayoun Saeed and Yumna Zaidi adds to the magic of Hamari Chup aur Tumhara Lehja.
Tumhari Chup by Atif Aslam
Season 15 of Coke Studio curated & produced by Xulfi had many memorable songs. The vocals for Blockbuster were provided by Faris Shafi, Umair Butt and an all-female group called Gharvi Group, consisting of Abida, Rooha Rawal, Sajida Bibi and 12-year-old Saba Hassan. With more than 250,000 reels made on it and 54 million views on YouTube, Blockbuster had a video directed by the uber-talented Zeeshan Parwez. Shot in one take, the video had 400 extras and 200 crew members. The song’s appeal lies in the folk charm of this bubbly hip-hop number. The highlight is little Saba with her captivating line, ‘Cutey teeno mein samjhariya wey chhud de tou funkariyan’ (Cutey I am giving you some sane advice, just stop doing your antics). You hear it once and you will never be able to forget it.
Gharvi group in Coke Studio song Blockbuster
If 2024 saw the emergence of a phenomenon in Pakistan media then that was KMKT, a serial that saw unprecedented acceptance from both viewers and critics alike. Like many other factors that contributed to the success of KMKT, the OST of the serial too was outstanding. Unlike most dramas that have one song as the OST, KMKT had multiple songs used as the story progressed. The highlight of this OST was Chal Diye Tum Kahan Pay by AUR. A fresh take for a drama soundtrack Chal Diye is youthful and dreamy. AUR the band, including Ahad, Usama and Raffey, are behind the beautiful song that features a back-and-forth dialogue between a boy and girl characters. With over 20 million views on YouTube, the magic of Chal Diye continues to be celebrated weeks after the drama serial has concluded.
This song was made immortal many years ago by one of the most popular singers Pakistan has ever had: Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi. Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi holds the distinction of recording more than 50,000 songs in seven languages during his singing career spanning over half a century and with his name in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1994 for the highest number of audio albums released. The original Seraiki number was resurrected in 2024 by the original rockstar of Pakistan Ali Zafar and the fans were in for a real treat because he got the original singer to collaborate. Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi, now living a retired life in London, makes a special appearance and the listeners cannot help but swoon to the magic recreated by the two greats of their times.
Balo Batiyan by Ali Zafar and Atta Ullah Khan Esakhelvi
Sometimes great creative pieces, be it art, cinema or music, start as slow burners receiving lukewarm reception initially. Jhol of Coke Studio Season 15, crooned to perfection by Maanu & Annural Khalid slowly but steadily became a track that would continue to be cherished for years to come. Its melancholic remorseful vibe has been arranged and produced by Abdullah Siddiqui, Talal Qureshi, Abdullah Kasumbi and Xulfi. Manu is a 25-year-old singer, songwriter, rapper and producer and perhaps nothing could have introduced him to a much larger listener base better than Jhol . A moving exploration of love’s intricate and tumultuous journey, drawing inspiration from the archetypal narratives of classical tragedies, Jhol as of today has more than 35 million views on YouTube and ranks right at the top on Spotify for Pakistan in 2024.
Apna Tu Kehnda is a beautiful song from the Asim Azhar album Bematlab that came out in May 2024. Asim Azhar always has something innovative for his fans, and this song is no exception. Long out of the shadows of being described as Pakistan’s Justin Beiber, Asim Azhar has found his own voice and Apna Tu Kehnda is a combination of his memorizing vocals shifting from ballad to blues to a rap like tempo and back with equal ease. The result is something beautiful that consolidates his position as the heart-throb of millions.
Apna Tu Kehnda by Asim Azhar
2024 also came with a musical surprise from Pakistan. Decades after his passing, the King of Qawwali, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who came from a 600-year-old lineage of qawwali singers, once again mesmerized his millions of fans across the world with four never heard-before numbers in an album poignantly titled ‘The Chain of Light’. The 2024 discovery of the four pristine recordings from April 1990 that make up this remarkable album, remained buried deep in the warehouse space of the Real-World tape archives. As 2024 draws to a close, The Guardian revealed its list of the year’s best albums, and Nusrat’s Chain of Light claimed the No. 1 spot.
As they say, the great artists may pass away in time but great art remains forever.
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