Ali Zafar Coke Studio 8’s strongest suit

The current season of Coke Studio has been in the news for producing some of the best songs since the show started, original and covers. While Coke Studio Season 8 comes to an end with the last episode released online today (Oct 3) and airing tomorrow on Oct 4, it seems the producers saved the best for the last indeed. Because the last episode has been headlined once again by none other our very own ‘Rockstar’ himself, Ali Zafar.

Yes, our multi-talented local prince of pop has returned for the third time after having earned laurels not just in the country but abroad also for his previous two renditions on this season of Coke Studio: the edgy, spunky and hatt ke Rockstar and the soft, sweet and romantic Ae Dil along with the very talented Sarah Haider.

Ali’s latest offering, Aj Din Vehre Vich, displays his much-appreciated versatility once again. A Punjabi Sufi song, this is Ali’s second original composition this season after Rockstar the lines for which have been written by acclaimed actor and artist Shahnawaz Zaidi and Ali has added his own touch by reciting verses of historic poet Mirza Ghalib in between. The lyrics depict a broken soul addressing his mother for salvation and Ali promises this one will be as huge a hit as his previous tracks. Ali’s soulful rendition of this Sufi folk song straight from the heart will definitely be another treat for his fans.

With this season of Coke Studio, Ali has proved that he is an all-rounder. Just like he has essayed different types of characters in his films across the border, in his music also Ali has reaffirmed his versatility like no other artist of his generation, which is on ample display in Coke Studio.

Previously on the season, Ali bowled over his fans by reinventing an old classic hit, Ae Dil, originally sung by the legendary Salim Raza. Tackling old song and remixing them is not an easy task, but our ‘rockstar’ proved that nothing is impossible for him. He not only owned his version of the song by giving it a personal touch of in terms of vocal variations, but also showed to the world that no matter what kind of music is thrown at him, he will tackle it with a breeze. Ali gave Ae Dil a refreshing feel, yet retaining the original song’s romantic and pop appeal displaying diversity in his vocal range.

Before this was the surprise package, Rockstar, Ali’s first song for this season of Coke Studio that brought out a new version of the singer. In this completely original composition, Ali mocks at the life of a rock singer through edgy, fresh lyrics and variations in music and vocals. The fresh song had rock, pop, blues, jazz, all mixed into one that turned out to be a chartbuster due to Ali’s diverse vocal prowess.

And to reward Ali for his versatility, the Karawood Film Festival Awards held in Karachi recently adjudged him as the ‘The most versatile artist’ of the country. If this isn’t testimony to this superstar’s multi-dimensional talent, then what is?  

The last episode of Coke Studio also features ghazal queen Farida Khanum, collaboration between Siege and the young Alycia Dias and Malang Party.