The eighth season of the Pakistanimusictelevision seriesCoke Studio premiered on 16 August 2015.[2][3] It aired a weekly episode every Sunday on various channels across the Pakistan. Season was revived under the tagline of The Sound of Nation.
The debut producers of season 7, Strings duo continued their journey as producers in this season. Earlier, rumours were made that Rohail Hyatt will be back as a producer this season but he denied rumours saying "Just for the record, I’m not producing the next season of Coke Studio Pakistan (2015). I think the BBC interview is being interpreted by some as if I am producing this season. What I meant to say was that I would like to produce my 7th season of Coke Studio one day. I hope this clears any confusion”.[4] The lead bassist Khalid Khan, was ruled out of season 8 due to cervical pain, who was replaced by Kamran ‘Mannu’ Zafar.[5] Season would featured seven episodes comprising thirty-one artists, thirteen musicians and twenty-eight songs.[6]
Season Line-up Chart
Featured Artist Line-up
Following is the list of thirty-one Featured Artist Line-up including six bands, that will perform as individuals, duo's and with chorus:[7][8]
Anwar Maqsood is the only featured artist who served as a narrator of his own poem sung by Surriya Khanum.
Backing Vocalists
For season 8, following is the list of backing vocalist that serves vocal harmony with the lead vocalist. Sara Haider and Rachel returns to season 8 as a backing singer, with Sara also appeared as a featured artist.
Momin Durrani
Rachel Viccaji
Sara Haider
Musicians
Almost all the Musician House Band returns to season 8 except Khalid Khan who left the show due to health problem and was replaced by Kamran Mannu Zafar. While Pianist Jaffar Zaidi of Kavish also served as a lead vocalist for the first time. Following is the list of featured line-up musicians:
On August 4, 2015 a special tribute to Sohail Rana & Masroor Anwar was presented by reproducing their patriotic song "Sohni Dharti"[9] as a part of Pakistan's 68th Independence celebration.[10] Season also released the promo with the tribute under the tagline of 'Celebrating the spirit of Independence'.[11] "Sohni Dharti" featured all the artists that were scheduled to lined-up for this season.[12] The promo and tribute release were met with extravagant reception from all over the world.[13] "Sohni Dharti" went viral with in 24-hours of it release, earning wide spread acclaim.[14] The song was declared as "the best of what Coke Studio has ever offered".[15][16]
Songs are listed in-front of the artist(s) who performed the song.
Season Eight on airs its episode at following television channels and radio stations in Pakistan. Each episode airs on Sunday on television medium but digitally release prior to an actual onair date.
^2 Prime time only represents the time of fresh episode and day that on airs on relative channel. Prime time episode always airs on Sunday but changes may be subjected.
^3 Repeat Timings 1 is the timing of relative episode that airs again after the fresh episode went onair.
^4 Repeat Timings 2 is the timing of relative episode that airs twice after the fresh episode went onair.
Note: There is no repeat airing on Radio channels only fresh episode would be aired following the each fresh telecast on television.
Reception
Season 8 became the one of the most successful seasons of all time, earning the title of "Best of Coke Studio has ever Offered".[15][22] Many songs became the headlines of newspapers and media outlets including Atif Aslam's rendition of the popular qawali "Tajdare Haram" as a tribute to its original performers, the Sabri Brothers. The rendition received an overwhelmingly positive response and the track gained over 2.8 million plays and views.[23] Despite achieving critical success many media outlets and viewers praised the original version by Sabri's and criticized Atif diction to the song, Amjad Sabri the son of Ghulam Farid Sabri says, "I really like how the music was arranged. Atif didn’t do badly. I wish he could have worked on his diction a little more, as long as the essence remains untouched, there is no harm." He further said, "it was an honest accolade to his father and uncle".[24]
Ali Zafar marked his appearance with "Rockstar" (the only original song in episode 2), after six years of a gap from the show. Song received highly critical acclaim for its variation in vocals, jazzy tune and freedom of lyrics.[25] It amassed 500,000 views on Facebook just two days after it was broadcast. Many media celebrities and personalities praises "Rockstar" including Hritik Roshan, Mahira Khan, Fahad Mustafa, Imran Khan and Adnan Sami.[26] On the success of "Rockstar" Ali stated that, "I partly lead the rockstar life I’ve made fun of." He explains that, "The lyrics of the song remind me of how I used to perceive rockstars when I was a kid. There's an aspect of vanity and arrogance 'Rockstar' which required me to get more animated."[27] The folk-song "Sammi Meri Waar" by Umair Jaswal and QB also received positive reception, having being watched 856,000 times. However the duo was heavily criticized by their poor coordination and presence. They were called "ridiculously photogenic duo" and media outlets place their verdicts saying "Coke Studio's first negotiation with a folk song gone wrong."[16]Tufail Niazi's hit wedding song "Chirya Da Chamba" by Surriya Khanam and Anwar Maqsood was praised for its music, composition and the beautiful narration of a letter by Maqsood. It was stated that the song "created a memorable experience for audiences."[28]
^[ww.pakistantoday.com.pk/2015/08/28/uncategorized/coke-studio-season-8-taking-the-internet-by-storm/ "Coke Studio Season 8 taking the internet by storm"]. Ali Raj. Pakistan Today. August 28, 2015. Retrieved August 29, 2015. ((cite web)): Check |url= value (help)
