Written by: Haroon Shuaib
Posted on: December 29, 2021 | 
| 中文
Hit songs of the year 2021
Despite the many challenges that impacted Pakistan just as they did at a global level during 2021, the Pakistani nation’s spirit remained unfazed. Hardships spur creativity, and this holds true perhaps the most if we look at the music that the Pakistani composers and singers created during this year. Many beautiful songs in diverse genres of music were created this year. Pakistani music was stronger than ever. As the year was closing, Arooj Aftab’s song ‘Mohabbat’ (Love) got Grammy nomination in the Best Global Music Performance category, and she was also nominated in the category of Best New Artist. It was difficult to narrow the list down to 10 best songs of this year, so here instead is a list with 10 exquisite musical entries from 2021, in no particular order with a special mention.
Atif Aslam is currently the uncrowned king of Pakistan’s music, and there can be no two views about it. This year his fans were exceptionally lucky as he kept giving one beautiful number after another, including ‘Raat’, Kadi te Hans’, ‘Chale tou kat hee jaye ga’ and ’Ajnabi’, which had a video starring the beautiful Mahira Khan. The last but not the least, ‘Rafta Rafta’, with an equally stunning video starring none other than Sajal Aly. If you want to pick one song of Atif from 2021 to relish the full range of his silken vocals, listen to his rendition of the classic poetry ‘Dil jalane ki baat’ (What caused heartache).
Dil Jalane Ki Baat by Atif Aslam
No Pakistani best music list for 2021 would be complete without Natasha Noorani’s mention. From the ever haunting ‘Choro’ - arranged, composed, written and performed by her to the ‘Baby Baby’ number from VELO Sound Station, there was no denying that 2021 marked Natasha claiming her due place on Pakistani pop music scene. Her training in khayal gaiki (traditional subcontinental classical vocals) is best evident in ‘Saazishein’ (Conspiracies), where she collaborates with the Kenyan hip hop artist KiliHippie and creates a unique sound that is simply mesmerizing.
Natasha Noorani's Saazishein is world music sound as she collabrates with Kenyan hip hop artist
A sharp departure from the cricket anthems reminiscent of the bubble gum pop, what started with ‘Groove Mera’, finally came of age with Coke Studio’s 'Cricket Khidaiye' (Let us get you to play cricket). The song proved to be Pakistan’s dignity song for ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The boys were playing well in the field after a long time and the nation was experiencing a much-deserved adrenaline rush on this enthralling tune. Dark, dangerous and yet fun, ‘Cricket Khidaiye’ perfectly captured the unpredictable and irrepressible Pakistani spirit.
Cricket fervor got the much needed boost with 'Cricket Khidaiye'.
What Ali Zafar started in 2019 with ‘Laila o Laila’, his beautifully crafted rendition of a very popular Balochi song featuring a surprise discovery Urooj Fatima, he followed up in 2020 with the most well-known of the Sindhi folk songs, ‘Ally Muja Mar Wara’, again with Urooj and Abid Brohi. In 2021 he came out with ‘Larsha Pekhawar’, a Pushto folk song we all know, whether we understand the language or not. This time he paired with the melodious Gul Panra and Fortitude Pukhtoon Core, a Pushto rap trio from Peshawar. Once again, he had the whole nation tapping feet on this one, whether his listeners understood the lyrics or not. Another brilliant song of Ali Zafar’s featuring the ethereal vocals of Aima Baig to come out in 2021 was ‘Ve Mahiya’. If you are in the mood for a more emotive piece of Ali Zafar’s, listen to this one.
Hasan Raheem has been around for about three years, but 2021 was his coming-of-age year. The unassuming and laid back, but supremely talented doctor from Gilgit sings as if he is humming to himself and no one is listening. His music feels easy on ears and his videos are to match. If you listen to any of his songs, especially this infectious ‘Joona’ first thing in the morning, on your way to college or work, rest assured that it will be ringing in your head the whole day, or may be days.
Joona by Hasan Raheem
Some love her, others hate her, but no one can ignore her. That is Misha Shafi! 2020 ended with her delightful rendition of ‘Boom Boom’, and 2021 brought a kitschy ‘Hot Mango Chutney Sauce' that commands attention as soon as it begins with the tongue twisting ‘Chandu kay chacha nay chundu ki chichi ko’. Laced with tongue in cheek lyrics, thumping EDM rhythm and a video to match, the song is as self-contained and unapologetic as the feisty Meesha herself.
Do you know that the duo rappers Talha Yunus and Talha Anjum established their group Young Stunners in 2013? They were obviously doing hip hop and street styled rapping in Karachi, much before it became en vogue in this part of the world. The lyrics of ‘Afsanay’ are loaded and the beat is haunting. ‘Afsanay’ is angry and you feel it. ‘Wo chahtay par dikhta nahi hoon, Afsanay ab likhta nahi hoon, Mein dunya ko dikhta nahi hoon, Mat pocho mein kitna sahi hoon.’ (They may want to see but I remain invisible. This is why I don’t write stories anymore. I am obscure in this world).
Urban Angst in ‘Afsanay’ by Talhah Yunus and Talha Anjum aka Young Stunners
While cinema was trailing as the entertainment of choice for families in Pakistan for decades, Pakistani dramas were leading by giant strides for not only providing a wholesome leisurely activity, but also for giving some musical relief through their original soundtracks. This trend has now become a whole new vital factor in the success or failure of a drama, and 2021 had many drama OSTs claiming their independent spots on the playlists; some deserving to be more applauded than the drama serial they were associated with. Case in point: ‘Hum Kahan Ke Sachay Thay’ and ‘Pehli Si Mohabbat’, for which we know that viewers will remember the OST long after they have forgotten the drama serial.
This song despite the controversy associated with its video is worth a place on this list. The haunting melody, the vocal prowess of both Farhan and Aima and the lilting composition by Bilal Saeed make sure that this beautiful song cannot be ignored. ‘Na Cher Malangaan Nu’ (Don’t mess with the hermits) is old world Sufi lyrics meeting modern musical sound, which doubles its magical appeal. Listen to it a few times and you will know what we mean.
Na Cher Malangaan Nu - Farhan Saeed & Aima Baig cast the magic of Sufi Styled Poetry with Modern Orchestration
From the first Pakistani film ‘Khel Khel Mein’, which was the first to hit cinema screens after almost a year of hiatus caused by the pandemic, ‘Hum Laye Hain Tufaan Say Kashti Nikal Kay’ (We have safely rescued the ship from the storm) gives every Pakistani goosebumps and a renewed sense of patriotism. Asrar’s vocals are unforgettable and make this song even more haunting. We hope other film-makers take a cue and think about more meaningful lyrics for film songs, and also that Asrar sings more in 2022.
Nimmi Nimmi by Asim Azhar as a cover of Late Farhad Humayun's number will soften the most hard hearted
Farhad Humayun, the founder and drummer of the iconic Pakistani band ‘Overload’, passed away on 8 June 2021 at the age of 42. Asim Azhar paid a heartfelt tribute to his departed fellow musician by covering Farhad’s ‘Nimmi Nimmi chaldi hawa’ (Moist and damp wind blows) at the Lux Style Awards 2021. Asim’s rendition of this beautiful number with so much feeling, left everyone in the audience teary eyed and will surely have the same effect on the listeners every time.
Here is to a safer, peaceful, harmonious and musically rich 2022.
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