Ahsan Bari, the founder of Sounds of Kolachi (SOK) with a solo identity as well in the form of Ahsan Bari Music - and the founder of Push Arts - is building music upon truly inclusive ideas. Speaking to Instep about SOK’s newest music video ‘Azaad’ which was first screened at Club 432 in Karachi, Bari explained the idea and need for such projects.

“It’s a very special song for SOK because it’s our first release from the second (upcoming) album, Seedhi Baat.”

The song, Bari explained, is about empowerment and a group of talented women have participated in it. “It’s a progressive song with progressive elements to it. ‘Azaad’ has an orchestral sound.”

He further explained, “At a time when your country is embracing a certain type of music and it’s prevalent everywhere and is being invested in, ‘Azaad’ is a very special song because it is something very different from what is presently happening.”

Composed, written and produced by Ahsan Bari (also on synth and bass), ‘Azaad’ features Nimra Rafiq on vocals and Khadija, Manoor Sehar, Neha Fahim Khan, Hiba Aslam Khan, Rimsha Qureshi on backing vocals/choir. Featured artists include Hira Bakali, Hunain Lakhani, Zeeshan Pervaiz, Jermeas Naeem, Abraham RusselI and Sarah Hanson.

It’s not just the song that’s terrific. The visual motif within the music video is built upon societal issues that fall under the taboo category. But the way the story has been presented with the sound indicates that SOK’s new album, Seedhi Baat will be a showcase of different, social ideas and musical motifs than its predecessor Ilham.

Sunny Khan Durrani drops ‘Pinjra’

The artist-rapper, Sunny Khan Durrani, often releases music quietly. But his melancholic songs go beyond cyphering rap as if living in la la land. After releasing music across multiple languages in the past, Sunny Khan Durrani (SKD) has released a new song with a music video called ‘Pinjra’.

‘Pinjra’ has a lot going for it including the music video that’s been helmed by Awais A. Khan who is also DOP along with other technical roles.

SKD, meanwhile, is also the lyricist, along with composing, mixing and mastering the music. The music video opens with a black background with the words: ‘Man is perception, the rest is skin’ on one half of with the same translated in Urdu opposite. Opening like a lo-fi dreamscape, the appearance of SKD and the darker tones within the music video make complete sense.

‘Pinjra’ uses metaphors to describe the political and social reality of our time.

Sunny brings a persona to do the music video that shows how he has grown as a performer. The lyrics and the music video are aligned and have deeper connections. SKD talks about the struggles of the people and an inner narrative. It is apparent in the video with its heavier darker tone, setting the stage with colours like red as SKD writhes in pain. It’s not just a song. It is the anguish of a song and gives us a glimpse of an artist who writes about observations that run within and outside. Subtle, with an angst that projects itself as you hear the song, it’s clear there is nothing nonchalant about this track, which obviously comes from the conscience and awareness.

Sunny Khan Durrani, who can rap in four languages (English, Urdu, Punjabi and Pushto) came to prominence when local music app, Patari, launched original music content with Patari Aslis Volume II after successful projects such as Patari Tabeer and Patari Fanoos (in collaboration with Zohaib Kazi).

In a series immersed with excellent songs such as ‘Kasani’ by Lyari Underground Rappers (LUG), ‘Khel Tamasha’ by Bayaan, ‘Kaam Do’ by Abid Brohi and ‘Gol Goppay’ by Sikandar Nawaz, Sunny Khan Durrani held his own with the defiant, original track, ‘Log Kya Kahenge’.

Between now and then, Sunny Khan’s prominence became apparent with the artist releasing three full-length albums such as Khabbarnaama, Aeitzaaz and The Butterfly Effect.

Sunny seems to have embraced the singles trend as well and has dropped some provocative songs including ‘Qissa Khwani’, ‘Urta Teer’,‘Taaray’ and ‘Talaash’ with the last three songs released with complementary music videos.

Reflecting on the deteriorating fabric of society through his songs, SKD continues to be one of the most gifted artists to emerge in the last couple of years, making rap music slightly melancholic and deeper, touching upon larger themes.