Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan
Xulfi | |
---|---|
ذوالفقار جبار خان | |
Born | |
Other names | Xulfi |
Alma mater | National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences[citation needed] |
Occupation | Composer, songwriter, music producer, singer |
Years active | 1996–present |
Musical career | |
Genres | Rock, pop, electronic, World music |
Instruments | Vocals, guitar, percussion, keyboard |
Labels |
|
Associated acts | |
Zulfiqar "Xulfi" Jabbar Khan (born 28 October 1980)[1][2] is a Pakistani composer, singer-songwriter, music producer and a guitarist.[3] Starting his career in 1994, Khan is the recipient of multiple awards in Pakistan.[4] He is currently working on the television series Nescafé Basement,[5] for which he is the producer and mentor.
Life and career[]
Xulfi was the composer, music producer, guitarist for Entity Paradigm (EP). Entity Paradigm was formed by Xulfi between 1996 and 1999 but was officially announced as a band only in 2000.[6]
He is currently the music producer, songwriter, and lead guitarist[7] for the band Call.[8][9] After the vocalist's exit from the band,[10] he continued with other projects at his studio Xth Harmonic. The band made a comeback after 3 years to produce and perform new songs for the fans.[11] He has always been a music fanatic and tries to come up with new ideas. He blames the lack of proper recognition of music as a separate 'industry', as the reason for its limited success.[12] Additionally, he states that people in general are not exposed to arts and culture and cultural propagation must be encouraged to make a pervasive and progressive culture and spark the positive interest of the nation in the field.
Khan has also been involved in a number of Bollywood projects[13] as composer, lyricist and producer. Some of his works include Laaree Chooti from Ek Chalis Ki Last Local in 2007,[2] Yeh Pal from Aasma in 2009,[2] Dhadke Jiya from Aalo Chaat in 2009,[2] and Kuch Aisa, Kuch Aisa (Sad Version) and Reh Jaane Do from Aao Wish Karein in 2009.[14]
Khan has produced, recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered music albums for Call's Jilawatan and Dhoom, Entity Paradigm's album Irtiqa, Jal's album Aadat, Roxen's album Rozen-e-Deewar, Inteha's album Daastaan, and Ankur Tewari's album Jannat.[12]
Singer John Newman expressed his appreciation for Khan's song "Love Me Again", which was covered on the show by an all-female band.[15] Roxette also shared Nescafe Basement's cover of their song "She's Got the Look".[16] Newman tweeted the Nescafe Basement cover version of the song "Love Me Again" and called it "dope".[15]
Xulfi is the creative director and co-founder of Sync, a tech/driven experience curation company. Recently they have worked on the visual curation of Nescafé Basement's "Resistance", Coca-Cola "Hum Aik Hain" anthem and Fawad Khan's "Uth Jaag"[17] for Pepsi Battle of the Bands.[18] Xulfi has also co-founded Giraffe Pakistan,[19] a content creation company and creative hub with Muhammad Ibrahim and Sync is the subdivision of it. He acts as the chief creative officer (CCO).
Brands and endorsements[]
Xulfi has worked with various popular brands including Nescafé Basement, Pepsi Battle of the Bands, McDonald's,[20] Coke, Peshawar Zalmi[21] and more. He produced "Hum Aik Hain" the official anthem by Coca-Cola Pakistan for 2019 Cricket World Cup.[22] This anthem featured 40 musical instruments, most of which were indigenous instruments.
Khan also produced the team anthem for Pakistan Super League team Peshawar Zalmi[23] named as Hum Zalmi[24][25][26].
Xulfi also assembled 40 drummers to create a new national song Pakistan Zindabad, which was also featured in Gulf News.[27] This song was created to revive the spirit of nationalism.[28] 40 drummers gathered at Bradlaugh Hall for this song.[29][30]
Zulfiqar joined hands with WWF Pakistan to create awareness about planting trees and released a video song Rung Do[31][32][21]. Khan termed it as more than just a song in an interview with Dawn News.[33]
For Pepsi Battle of the Bands season 2, Khan came for a reunion[34][35] with Entity Paradigm[36][37] and performed Hamesha with Fawad Khan, Ahmad Ali Butt, and the entire original lineup.[34][38][39]
Khan is the first Pakistani musician to get endorsed by Vicoustic – a soundproofing company specializing in acoustic treatments.[40][41]
Contributions to Pakistani music[]
Xulfi has contributed to Pakistani music not only through music but by introducing new bands and musicians. On Nescafé Basement, he helped formed the first-ever all-girl band in Pakistan.[42] Another band that Xulfi formed in Nescafé Basement is the all-kids band that covered 'Pyar Diyan Gallan' by Fakhar-e-Alam.
Pakistan Super League 5[]
Xulfi composed and produced the official PSL Anthem named "Tayyar Hain" for the 5th edition of Pakistan Super League. The anthem featured Haroon, Asim Azhar, Ali Azmat, and Arif Lohar. The song received heavy criticism from listeners, particularly on social media.[43] This edition is the fastest to reach 5 million views on YouTube amongst previous PSL anthems. The song got appreciation from all the stakeholders including team owners, players, and the Pakistan Cricket Board because of its festive theme, cultural music, and upbeat composition.[44]
Music videos[]
![Khan with Nescafé Basement 4 team](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Xulfi_with_Nescafe_Basement_Team.jpg/290px-Xulfi_with_Nescafe_Basement_Team.jpg)
Music video | Album | Band | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Aghosh | Iritqa | Entity Paradigm | 2003 |
Hamein Aazma | Iritqa | Entity Paradigm | 2003 |
Kahan Hai Tu | Iritqa | Entity Paradigm | 2003 |
Waqt | Iritqa | Entity Paradigm | 2003 |
Hamesha | Iritqa | Entity Paradigm | 2003 |
Nishaan | Jilawatan | Call | 2003 |
Pukaar | Jilawatan | Call | 2003 |
Shayad | Jilawatan | Call | 2004 |
Sab Bhula Kai | Jilawatan | Call | 2005 |
Bichar Kai Bhee | Jilawatan | Call | 2006 |
Kuch Naheen | Jilawatan | Call | 2006 |
Hum Se Hai Yeh Zamaana | Dhoom | Call | 2007 |
Aasmaan | Dhoom | Call | 2007 |
Ho Jaane De | Dhoom | Call | 2009 |
Main Aisa He Hoon | Dhoom | Call | 2011 |
Teri Haar Hum | Dhoom | Call | 2017 |
Discography[]
Albums[]
Release date | Album | Band |
---|---|---|
1 October 2003 | Irtiqa | Entity Paradigm |
20 November 2005 | Jilawatan | Call |
26 January 2011 | Dhoom | Call |
Coke Studio Season 14[]
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan a.k.a. Xulfi is announced as the producer of Coke Studio Season 14, taking over the popular music show after Rohail Hyatt.[45][46] The official announcement was made by Xulfi on his social media channels when he shared a picture of a Coke Studio season 14 book with the caption "The journey begins,". The news went viral on the internet and fans expressed great excitement, terming it as the best thing to happen to Coke Studio[47][48][49]
References[]
- ^ "Xulfi". BBC UK. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d Xulfi at IMDb
- ^ "We are unique we are better, that's why our music sells in India". n.d. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ Syed, Madeeha (9 July 2018). "Our next music video will be a collaboration between all the videographers of Pakistan: Xulfi". Images. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ "Nescafe Basement kicks off". The Express Tribune. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
- ^ Syed, Madeeha (9 July 2018). "Our next music video will be a collaboration between all the videographers of Pakistan: Xulfi". Images. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ Naveed, Soha (8 December 2016). "Xulfi Is Making Everyone Cry With His Heartfelt Tribute To Junaid Jamshed". Parhlo. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ Amer, Sameen (31 August 2015). "Call reunited: Our friendship is stronger than ever, says bandmate Xulfi". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
- ^ Pakistan, S. K. (3 January 2017). "The Rock Scene Of Pakistan Finally Gets A 'Call' Back". Parhlo. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Xulfi announces Junaid Khan's exit from Call". The Express Tribune. 6 November 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Makhani, Alina (24 August 2015). "Call Band Reunites to Make a Comeback After 3 Years". Brandsynario. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Uzair, Ahmad (28 April 2015). "Why can't the music industry be reinvented like the drama industry, asks Xulfi". Retrieved 13 August 2016.
- ^ Instep (23 October 2016). "Xulfi unplugged". TNS – The News on Sunday. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Xulfi on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "John Newman shares 'dope' Nescafé Basement cover of his song". The Express Tribune. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 13 August 2016.
- ^ "Roxette shares Nescafe Basement cover of their song". The Express Tribune. 25 May 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
- ^ Sabeeh, Maheen. "Fawad Khan on 'Uth Jaag' and the future". The News International. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Fawad Khan's Electrifying Performance at Pepsi Battle of The Bands Finale is Making Waves!". Entertainment Pakistan. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
- ^ "Giraffe Pakistan". facebook.com. Retrieved 1 September 2019.[non-primary source needed]
- ^ Hasnain, Alefyah (31 March 2017). "10 Pakistani TVC Jingles We Bet You Can Never Get Out Of Your Head!". Brandsynario. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Team, Cutacut Editorial (12 July 2018). "Call joins hands with WWF-Pakistan for new song". cutacut. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Coke Studio just dropped a new song produced by Xulfi". The Express Tribune. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Peshawar Zalmi find their 'Call-ing' for PSL3". The Express Tribune. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Peshawar Zalmi launches its new title song 'Hum Zalmi' | Pakistan Today". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Peshawar Zalmi launches famous song 'Hum Zalmi'". radio.gov.pk. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Peshawar Zalmi | Call- Hum Zalmi". Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Xulfi drums up a call for Pakistan". Gulf News. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
- ^ Amer, Sarmad (9 April 2018). "Call, The Band, Just United Musicians Across Pakistan in a Passionate Attempt To Revive The Country's Music Scene". MangoBaaz. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Shirazi, Maria. "Music bridges it all". The News International. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Pakistan Zindabad – An anthem featuring 40 drummers with Call The Band |". Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Rung Do by Call celebrates the beauty of trees – Pak Media Blog". Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Arshad, Aisha (2 August 2018). "Call The Band is out with Rung Do Pakistan and it's not just a song!". HIP. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Syed, Madeeha (8 July 2018). "The Icon Interview: The Orchestrator". Dawn. Pakistan. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Mughal, Danish (16 September 2017). "Entity Paradigm(eP) and Xulfi Reunited once again!!!". Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Ahmed, Ather (15 September 2017). "Rumor Has It, Fawad Khan Is Reuniting With eP And Just OMG". MangoBaaz. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Entity Paradigm Reunites for One Epic Night". 17 September 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ Team, Trending (15 September 2017). "Is eP set to perform at the final of Pepsi Battle of the Bands?". Trending Pakistan. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "EP reunion: The boys still got it". The Express Tribune. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "EP Performed in Pepsi Battle of the Bands' Grand Finale and We Can't Get Over It!". Bolojawan.com. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
- ^ "Xulfi's Recording Studio". Vicoustic. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ Arif, Aayan (2 August 2020). "Vicoustic Endorses Xulfi's Studio". Musicians of Pakistan. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ "Nescafe Basement's all-female band reaches unique milestone in Pakistan's music history". The Express Tribune. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
- ^ "Twitter isn't ready for PSL 5 anthem Tayyar Hain". Samaa. 29 January 2020.
- ^ Sports Desk. "PSL 2020 Posts Record Social Media Stats & Viewership in Just First Week". Retrieved 21 August 2020.
- ^ Staff, Images (15 June 2021). "It's official! Xulfi is replacing Rohail Hyatt for the next season of Coke Studio". Images. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "Xulfi takes over Coke Studio after Rohail Hyatt | SAMAA". Samaa TV. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "Fans believe Xulfi might be the best thing to happen to 'CS'". The Express Tribune. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ "Xulfi takes over Coke Studio after Rohail Hyatt's exit". Daily Pakistan Global. 15 June 2021. Retrieved 22 June 2021.
- ^ Arif, Aayan (15 June 2021). "Xulfi Confirmed as the Producer of Coke Studio 14". Musicians of Pakistan.
External links[]
- Living people
- 1980 births
- Pakistani singer-songwriters
- Pakistani artists
- Pakistani composers
- Musicians from Lahore
- Pakistani heavy metal guitarists