Tag: Abdullah Siddiqui

  • ‘Wakhri’ has the best music lineup of any Pakistani movie in a long time

    ‘Wakhri’ has the best music lineup of any Pakistani movie in a long time

    Pakistan’s upcoming film ‘Wakhri’ is gearing up for a nationwide release on January 4, with director, Iram Parveen Bilal, promising a fantastic music album. Renowned music producer Abdullah Siddiqui has curated an impressive collection of tracks featuring prominent female singers from today’s music scene.

    Abdullah Siddiqui took to his Instagram to share the news, announcing a multi-artist album: “I produced four new tracks for Wakhri, the new film by the wonderful Iram Parveen Bilal and they’re out now. They’re performed by the insane lineup of Meesha Shafi, Ali Sethi, Eva B, Natasha Noorani, and RFB.”

    Siddiqui expressed joy in creating the soundscape for the vibrant world of the film, calling the songs both enjoyable and significant. He listed the tracks included in the album, featuring Eva B’s ‘Baaghi’, Meesha Shafi’s ‘You Don’t Give a Haqq’, Natasha Noorani’s ‘Matlabi (Wakhri version), and Risham Faiz Bhutta and Ali Sethi’s ‘Wakhri Dhamaal.’
    Reacting to Siddiqui’s post, director Iram said in the replies, “We are so honoured and I can’t wait to watch you soar even higher!” followed by a series of heart emojis.
    The film, based on the life of Pakistan’s social media sensation Qandeel Baloch, recently celebrated a significant milestone with its worldwide premiere at the Red Sea Film Fest in Jeddah.

    Head of International Programming, Kaleem Aftab, praised “Wakhri” for changing the narrative on a specific incident in Pakistan, while also bringing up Zarrar Kahn’s horror film, ‘In Flames’ as Pakistan’s international Oscar contender, adding diversity to the lineup.

  • Abdullah Siddiqui’s explanation of the PSL anthem will leave you in awe

    Abdullah Siddiqui’s explanation of the PSL anthem will leave you in awe

    Music Composer and Music Producer Abdullah Siddiqui has already made his name that one cannot deny that he has achieved a lot at such a young age. The young music expert has recently broken down the Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem Agay Dekh for Spotify, giving us a look into his journey of producing the masterpiece.

    Abdullah, who is assisting Xulfi (Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan) in the 14th season of Coke Studio, worked on the PSL anthem sung by singers Atif Aslam and Aima Baig.

    “When I knew I was going to be doing this anthem, I knew that the first thing I wanted to make sure [of was] it had a dance beat because these anthems normally don’t have dance beats and I love a good club beat. It has more of a dance hall pattern,” the electropop prodigy explained on Spotify’s “How To Sound Like Me” feature.

    Siddiqui said he found a trumpet loop that sounded “instantly super catchy” so he added that to the mix. “Then I decided that it needed a lot of crowd sounds so there are all these samples of crowds clapping and chanting, it’s like the ambiance of a stadium. When you put all of that together, it kind of feels like the foundation for the song.”

    He mentioned another instrument that played a big part in the music. “There are also these very big cinematic drums.” He said they also had “vocals that are very tightly treated, like very crisp pop vocals”. “There are some synths happening and I kept building and building just to add more intensity because I felt like this song needed to be super intense and upbeat.”

    Agay Dekh was released on January 24 and like its predecessors, received mixed reactions.

    Siddiqui first gained national fame with his Nescafé Basement original Resistance, and later his super hit Kingdom for Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 6 last year. The song was Zalmi’s official anthem.

    The singer-songwriter has three albums in his kitty — Heterotopia, Metannoya and Dead Beat Poets, and was also featured on US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Spotify playlist called ‘Muslim Vibes’, along with Shamoon Ismail. He has also been featured on the Forbes 30 under 30 Asia list.

  • Who designed Atif Aslam’s PSL outfit? He says it’s someone ‘beautiful’

    Who designed Atif Aslam’s PSL outfit? He says it’s someone ‘beautiful’

    Pakistani superstar Atif Aslam has praised his wife Sara Bharwana for her style sense, while announcing that she designed his outfit for the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) anthem.

    Taking to Instagram, Atif shared some clicks from the PSL 7 anthem Agay Dekh and credited the people who made him look good.

    “Thank you so much for all the love and respect I knew my wife’s sense of style was a class apart when she chose to marry me. Styled by my beautiful wife Thank you Sara,” quipped Atif.

    He added: “What a video – considering the short amount or time we had. Well done @zparwez The powerful sound scape @abdullah.s.siddiqui.”

    Agay Dekh is sung by Aima Baig alongside Atif and is composed by budding music producer Abdullah Siddiqui.

    This is the first time that the Aadat singer has sung a song for PSL. Atif’s fans are gushing over his new style in the video and many are showering their love on his PSL debut.

    Check out the song here:

  • FBR freezes all bank accounts of singer Aima Baig

    FBR freezes all bank accounts of singer Aima Baig

    The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has frozen all bank accounts related to Pakistani singer, Aima Baig over unpaid taxes on Wednesday. She has not paid her taxes from the years 2018, 2019, and 2020.

    She allegedly withdrew Rs 25 million from her bank accounts and emptied them before FBR attempted to recover money from the accounts.

    Now FBR is planning to seize all vehicles belonging to the singer.

    On January 14, 2022, Aima received a notice from the FBR for non-payment of taxes worth Rs 85 million.

    On the work front, the singer will feature in Pakistan Super Leagues’ (PSL) Anthem along with Atif Aslam. The music will be produced by Abdullah Siddiqui.

    She was recently in the news over a controversial video where she showed her middle finger to a person in the crowd during her concert.

    Aima clarified the reason for her actions, saying she did it because someone in the crowd did it first to her.

  • Coke Studio’s ‘Tu Jhoom’ not an original melody?

    Coke Studio’s ‘Tu Jhoom’ not an original melody?

    The grand showcase of Coke Studio season 14, featuring the iconic Naseebo Lal and legendary Abida Parveen kicked off on January 14.

    Tu Jhoom is a song about a conversation about letting yourself go, opening your heart and understanding that you are enough and nothing will be gained by running after worldly things.

    The song rapidly gained fame among the masses leaving everyone captivated with the lyrics and its soothing melody.

    Tu Jhoom has been credited as written by Adnan Dhool, composed and mixed by Xulfi, arranged and produced by Xulfi and Abdullah Siddiqui. However, according to The Express Tribune, Nirmala Maghani, an up-and-coming singer from Umarkot would like to differ to some aspects of the credits list.

    As per a news report published in The Express Tribune, Maghani claimed that the melody of the song Tu Jhoom has been lifted from a sample she had sent to Xulfi back in June 2021, while eyeing a slot as featuring artist in Coke Studio 14.

    Xulfi didn’t reply to any of her messages, which she thought was expected from such a senior musician being suddenly reached by a singer he doesn’t know via WhatsApp. But the moment she heard Tu Jhoom she realised that one of the melodies she had sent had been used in the song without any acknowledgment.

    Speaking with Tribune, Maghani said, “The melody is exactly the same. I have been calling Xulfi since I heard the song and after a day he finally responded by saying I didn’t even download your audio file, which isn’t true because all my messages were received with blue ticks.”

    Maghani stressed the point that all she wants is recognition and due credit for her work and nothing else. “It’s about recognition of my work and being acknowledged for it, nothing else.”

  • Shaniera Akram bursts into tears after listening ‘Tu Jhoom’

    Shaniera Akram bursts into tears after listening ‘Tu Jhoom’

    Social Activist, Shaniera Akram took to Twitter to share her experience after listening to Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal’s top trending song Tu Jhoom performed in Coke Studio Season 14.

    She expressed her emotions on the soulful song, Tu Jhoom by saying, “I have not heard this song before & have no idea what they are singing about but I’ve been sitting here for the last 25 minutes crying my eyes out! These incredible women just sang into my soul. God Bless this beautiful Country. “

    Famous Pakistani Singer and actor, Hadiqa Kiani also gave her tribute on Twitter to the soulful song performed by legendary singers

    Veteran actor and Director, Shaan Shahid also took to Twitter to appreciate the poetry and magical voices of Naseebo Lal and Abida Parveen.

    The Pakistan journalist, Mubashir Zaidi also expressed their love for the spiritual song.

    Living legends of the Pakistan music industry Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal have opened the 14th season of Coke Studio with an extravagant song “Tu Jhoom.” The song has sent excited fans on a listening spree while they have gone crazy about it.

    More than 4.9 million people have been viewed this song as of Monday morning.

    The opening lines are sung by the folk queen Lal, followed by the Sufi maestro Parveen. “As we start on this new journey, we ask you to celebrate life,” read the official caption of the song.

    This year, Coke Studio is produced and curated by music composer Xulfi and written by Adnan Dhool, “Tu Jhoom’s” music is arranged and produced by Xulfi and budding artist Abdullah Siddiqui.

    Check out the spiritual song with magical voices here

  • Living legends Abida Parveen, Naseebo Lal’s ‘Tu Jhoom’ is magic, fans go crazy

    Living legends Abida Parveen, Naseebo Lal’s ‘Tu Jhoom’ is magic, fans go crazy

    Living legends of Pakistan music industry Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal have opened the 14th season of Coke Studio with an extravagant song “Tu Jhoom.” The song has sent excited fans on a listening spree while they have gone crazy about it.

    The opening lines are sung by the folk queen Lal, followed by the Sufi maestro Parveen. “As we start on this new journey, we ask you to celebrate life,” read the official caption of the song.

    This year, Coke Studio is produced and curated by music composer Xulfi. Written by Adnan Dhool, “Tu Jhoom’s” music is arranged and produced by Xulfi and budding artist Abdullah Siddiqui.

    This time, Xulfi (Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan) has also used artists, who are performing on the melodious song and powerful vocals of the music queens Lal and Parveen.

    Twitter is flooded with praise and applause for the two veterans.

    The superstar of Pakistan Mahira Khan thanked the legendary singers on Twitter.

    Taking to Twitter, actor Shaan Shahid wrote: “Well done Coke Studio… the poetry is like journey.. Naseebo lal a traveler.. and Abida jee the Sufi Guide.”

    Similarly, singer Hadiqa Kiani took to Twitter and wrote: “Never knew my soul needed the powerhouse duo of Abida Parveen and Naseebo Lal together. Absolutely breathtaking. Cannot wait to hear more from this season of@cokestudio.”

    While many showered their love on the powerhouse duo.

    Check out the song here:

  • Atif Aslam, Aima Baig to sing PSL Seven’s anthem

    Atif Aslam, Aima Baig to sing PSL Seven’s anthem

    Famed pop-singers Atif Aslam and Aima Baig will be singing this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) anthem which has been produced and composed by budding artist Abdullah Siddiqui. The anthem will be released during an event next week.

     It is pertinent to mention that it will be the first time that Atif will be singing the PSL’s main song, while Aima already featured in last year’s “Groove Mera”.

    As per Abdullah, “the song’s premise is encouraging and motivational, with words and music intended at elevating the spirits of fans.”

    Atif is one of the most popular Pakistani singers, who has recorded numerous chart-topping songs for local as well as the international film industry. In 2008, the singer was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan, while also receiving over 50 different awards from within and outside Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, Baig is one of the most popular female singers in the country and she has a number of hits released over the years. Baig has won several awards both locally and Internationally.

    Speaking about the event, Abdullah said: “Getting to produce this anthem is a dream for any musician, and I’m very honoured and thankful to the PCB for the opportunity this year.”

    “Both Atif Aslam and Aima Baig are undeniably the best and working with them has been a privilege. I’m very excited for fans to hear what we have come up with,” he added. 

    The producer further said: “We have tried to produce a song that captures the spirit of the game in a meaningful way, while still being very fun and catchy.”

  • Abdullah Siddiqui, Shamoon Ismail make it to US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Spotify playlist

    Abdullah Siddiqui, Shamoon Ismail make it to US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Spotify playlist

    US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has shared her playlist of the Muslim artists she jams to from around the world and the list includes popular Pakistani musicians Atif Aslam, Abdullah Siddiqui and Shamoon Ismail.

    Omar, this week pledged to promote Muslim artists around the world as she revealed her Spotify playlist on International Women’s day consisting of many female artists.

    This was followed by another set of playlists that featured hit single Kids, by Abdullah and Shamoon.

    She had captioned her

    ” target=”_blank”>post, “I am jamming to the second part of my Muslim Vibes playlist as we pass[the] final bill to send checks to people and sensible gun control legislation. I hope you check out these [fire emoji] artists, who are mostly unknown to US audience and give them a boost.”

    Acknowledging the appreciation, the Be Myself crooner said: “I’m on Congresswoman Ilhan Omar’s Spotify playlist, Surreal, brb crying profusely.”

    Fans in the comment section lauded the acknowledgment and bombarded Abdullah with congratulatory messages, while fans of Shamoon also chimed in.

    Earlier, when Omar had announced her initial Muslim Vibes playlist on Instagram, she mentioned Atif Aslam, British-Pakistani actor and rapper Riz Ahmed and British singer-songwriter Sami Yusuf among others in her comment section.