2000
Artist: Strings Song: 'Duur' Album: Duur
 It was the comeback of the decade. Imagine '00s without Strings? Minus two of it's original members - Rafiq Wazir Ali and Kareem Bashir - this was not one of those erratic, long overdue break-ups but an amicable one.
Strings returned as Bilal Maqsood (the boy who won millions of heart with the monster hit 'Sar Kiye Ye Pahar') and Faisal Kapadia (the guy who charmed us with 'Aaj Din Bhar') after eight years. And with this return, they shook things up in the music industry.
The husky strains of Faisal Kapadia's 'Duur' were felt throughout the country where urban pop thrives. Back then, no one could've predicted how far Strings would go but the guys never looked back.
'Duur' is clear with a stylish yet jagged musical exterior with just the right touch of wild Edge-like riffs. The song's concentration, in retrospect, is it's singer Faisal Kapadia and the beautiful melody that is neither forgettable nor weak.
The music video, shot by Jami, showcasing the rugged gorgeous terrains of Pakistan with Strings announcing their arrival, was a master stroke in simplicity.
2001
Artist: Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Song: 'Dholna'
Album: Various compilations
 2001 was the year when the world changed. But some things didn't. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's 'Dholna' hit the scene with its music video and took the nation by storm. The song remains one of his biggest modern hits even today. And has various versions available out there (cyber world). The album release remains confusing as official releases are plagued by piracy and in those days, it was worse. The crackdown began much later. But as far as we know, it was the year of NFAK magic.
And like most NFAK tunes, this one worked because of his inimitable voice. The man who put Pakistani music on the global mark left his stamp even in his death.
The same year Junoon also released a music video for an English song, 'No More' but the song didn't work. Had Ali Azmat sung it in Urdu, it could have been a different story.
2002
Artist: Fuzon Song: 'Ankhon Kay Saagar'
Album: Saagar
 It was the coming together of three musical minds as one. Mekaal Hasan had already done fusion - but this was more commercially palatable for a mass audience.
It was the seventh son of the Patiala gharana, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, teaming up with seasoned players like Shallum Xavier (Guitars) and Emu (Keyboards).
Despite their ability to play the loudest of riffs and stunning keyboards, Shallum and Emu don't overplay on 'Ankhon Kay Saagar'. They lead the mood, which is drenched in (dare I say) romance, hope and longing.
They enter the song slowly with Shafqat's marvelous vocals, sending shivers down the spine.
Shafqat has a deep, unforgettable voice and the song worked because of his magnificent vocals and the band. Shallum maintained consistency with his guitar throughout with one crackling knock while Emu gave it that modern touch with his eclectic keyboards. Fuzon went onto become one of the biggest acts and even sold bubblegum at one point, until one fine day, they called it off and went separate ways.
Now Shafqat operates solo while Shallum and Emu are keeping the name alive with Rameez Mukhtar as the lead vocalist.
2003
Artist: Ali Zafar
Song: 'Channo'
Album: Huqa Pani
 "Channo ki aankh mein ek nasha hai"- love these lines or hate 'em, their power cannot be denied. A thumping beat, an incredible voice (that continues to stun us even today) and a young guy in a playful video. The boy who would be king is of course Ali Zafar and he pulled out 'Channo' in an incredibly competitive year. Strings were on a roll with a compilation album soon followed by Dhaani. Junoon were bidding farewell with Deewar. Ahmad Jahanzeb, EP (the original), Aaroh and Noori - all sprouted on the scene with their debut albums. And while all artists and their records led to the boom in the burgeoning music scene, 'Channo's' mixed sound with its Arabic-electro-filmi influences could not be shut off. 'Channo' was everywhere - weddings, trucks, telly screens - and it was the birth of (one) of the biggest sensations of the decade.
2004
Artist: Atif Aslam
Song: 'Aadat'
Album: Jalpari
 To this day, it remains unclear who wrote the song – Goher or Atif? But that is irrelevant. There are many versions of this tune, including tasteless Bollywood remixes – but the version we're talking about is off Atif's debut album, Jalpari.
As talented as Farhan Saeed is, he just couldn't re-create the magic of 'Aadat' like Atif on Jal's debut album, Aadat. And frankly, he shouldn't even have tried. You need to have your own voice to be successful, not try to sound like someone else.
Lyrically, 'Aadat', is one of the most heartbreaking tunes out there and while the sound is pop-rock (nothing too stunning), those simple opening chords are haunting enough to still reverberate in memory. Those, and Atif's emotive, slightly aggressive and slightly resigned voice behind the song made 'Aadat' such a sensation.
2005
Artist: Ali Azmat
Song: 'Na Re Na'
Album: Social Circus
 Some songs are poetic, but to breathe life into words is an art. With 'Na Re Na', Ali Azmat proved to critics, naysayers and fans that the fuel in this fiery musician didn't run out when Junoon split up.
With its morose riffs, studio effects and poignant singing, 'Na Re Na' took the cake in 2005. It was the year when Faakhir returned with the melodic Mantra and Shiraz Uppal blew everyone away with the wonderful record that was Jhuki Jhuki. Later that year, Noori went for a meatier sound with their second record, Peeli Patti Aur Raja Jaani Ki Gol Dunya, but neither act could match the stunning reinvention of Junoon's ex frontman Ali Azmat.
Whether it was a challenge to prove to himself or to the world that Ali Azmat can create music that will last, who knows? Or maybe it was just years and years of experiences, personal and professional that Ali meshed together for 'Na Re Na'. Desperation and desire, conviction and defiance - Ali Azmat carries these emotions in one song like a pro. And that alone makes this the song of '05. Accompanied by a striking video (remember the angels?) directed by Saqib Malik, 'Na Re Na' became even more popular. Ironically enough, the same year, Salman Ahmed, who is continuing with the name Junoon and is currently it's lead guitarist/singer, released his debut Infiniti, which turned out to be an infinite disappointment.
2006
Artist: Annie
Song: 'Mahiya'
Album: Princess
 Okay so this was a strange toss-up. Between monster hits like Atif Aslam's 'Doorie' off his second album of the same name and Ali Zafar's 'Sajania' off his second album, Masty, there was a princess on a beach with a Salman Khan wannabe lover boy riding around on a bike in a song called 'Mahiya'.
The album is a strange twist of music but this song in particular was different. The video was really awful. But the song was on everyone's lips (much to my own annoyance). From Basement Café to radio stations to music channels - 'Mahiya' was everywhere. For one thing, the song is groovy and so amusing that it is unforgettable. The amusing lyrics, 'I wish you could see yourself the way I see you, you
shine just like a star mahiya, Cause you're my only pyar mahiya', and Annie's moves in a incredibly badly shot video blew us away.
Within the same year, percussion, ambient rock band Overload debuted with their self-titled record. Canadian duo Josh officially released their third album, Mausam, in Pakistan by tying up with a local music record label. Other artists who surfaced that year include Abbas Ali Khan, Arieb Azhar, Sajid and Zeeshan and a blast from the past, Zoheb Hassan with Kismat and his bad retro '80s kitsch 'Fashion'. Amidst all of them, it was Annie's catchy hooks and the sway of her hips that made 'Mahiya' one of the most memorable ones of 2006.
2007
Artist: Jal Song: 'Sajni' Album: Boondh
 Jal redeemed themselves after Atif Aslam stole the limelight from them when both artists hit the markets with their debuts within the same year. But if 2006 was all about Ali Zafar, Atif Aslam and princess Annie, 2007 was about Jal.
'Sajni' is one of those songs that you just want to sing along to. With a tinge of desperation for a beloved and Farhad Saeed in complete command of his vocals with Goher Mumtaz and Shazi forming the musical structure, it was the song of the year.
The visually stunning video (shot by Bilal Lashari) only added to the charm. The song fetched them awards everywhere and gave the pop world hope that Jal are not planning on fizzling out.
In the same year, while Hadiqa Kiyani went the English language way with Aamir Zaki on Rough Cut and Co-Ven released Volume I and II, there was no stiff competition except one: The original soundtrack of Khuda Kay Liye. But in the end, 'Sajni' beat everyone else.
2008
Artist: Shehzad Roy
Song: 'Laga Reh'
Album: Qismat Apnay Haath Mein
 Picking up national woes and turning it into a song that reflects on reality without any bias - that's reinvention. From playing lover boy one too many times and singing about 'Teri Soorat' telling his 'Saali' - 'tu mani nahin' - Shehzad Roy finally came of age. This tune is Shehzad reinventing music according to his own surroundings.
While sonically, the song doesn't fit in the criteria of groundbreaking stuff, it's power comes from it's sarcastic yet realistic lyrics or one-liners, if you please.
"Mujhe fikar yeh nahin key yeh mulk kaise chale ga, mujhe fikar yeh hai ke aisay he na chalta rahe." (I'm not worried about how this country will run, I am only worried that it will carry on running like this). Coupled with a brilliant video by Ahsan Rahim with cameo appearances by Ali Azmat, Mani among others - the video epitomized a sentiment that continues to run through the minds of Pakistanis.
This song had heavy competition at it's doorstep with Strings and Ali Azmat, debutants Zeb and Haniya, Shaftqat Amanat Ali's solo venture and Abbas Premjee's Elements. However, 'Laga Reh' was the most memorable song of the year because it packed a hard punch with a sense of humour.
2009Artist: Saeein Zahoor and Noori
Song: 'Aik Alif'
Album: Coke Studio sessions
In a year where we have been at war with each other, quite literally, 'Aik Alif' brought with it hope. The deep, mysterious voice of Saeein Zahoor gives it true power, one that can shake the inside and give goose bumps. The words are enough to keep one thinking for a long time. Saaein Zahoor, the mighty man, gives this song that extra edge as he sings: "Parh parh sheikh mushaikh sadaawein/Be-ilmaan nu lut lut khawein/Tenu kita hirs khwar/Bus kareen o yaar/I'lmon bus kareen o yaar" (The preachers blurt out what they read/They rob the ignorant/They have made you greedy for rewards/Stop this my friend/Stop seeking all this knowledge my friend).
Ali Hamza strumming the banjo, the Coke Studio house band following the melody with their instruments, each man an expert, and Ali Noor on a trip captured on sound. Its incredible stuff, the kind that goes down in history. Backing vocalists Saba Shabbir and Natasha D Souza give it that softness that compliments the depth of Saeein Zahoor and Ali Hamza's vocals.
And the finale: Ali Hamza, the boy who we've been talking about throughout last year. He brought his best to the front. He has a deeper voice than Ali Noor and that shows. The conviction with which he sings "Jo na jaaney haq ki taqat, rab na deway uss ko himmat, hum mann ke darya mein doobay, kaisi naiya, kya manjdhaar" gives 'Aik Alif' more soul. Kudos to jaana jogi dey naal! Lead the way.. |
