Within music circles, it is no secret that the struggle for intellectual copyrights over subcontinental cultural heritage that is being exploited by some has become an increasingly problematic issue. But while exploitation continues in one way or another, internationally renowned UK based band, Coldplay has released a new album called Everyday Life on which the great and (late) Amjad Sabri is featured. He is featured on a song called ‘Church’ on which Coldplay has incorporated samples from Amjad Sabri’s popular track ‘Jaga Ji Laganay’.
Speaking about including him on the song, Chris Martin, front-man of Coldplay reportedly told Entercom, “There are two other cool singers on that one. There’s this guy who was a Pakistani singer called Amjad Sabri. He was sadly murdered by people who didn’t like what he stood for. Then there’s a friend of ours Norah, who is a girl from Jerusalem.”
Paying tribute to both the legendary Amjad Sabri and Norah, Chris Martin further stated, “I’m the third-best singer on that track.”
Whether Coldplay received permission from the Sabri family or not remains to be seen, but Amjad Sabri is credited on the album. And the song is quite beautiful – as Coldplay continue to evolve.
