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- 2021 was the year Strings broke up and Pakistan set a Guinness World Record for most cars at drive-in concert
- Arooj Aftab became first Pakistani to be nominated in the best new artist category for the Grammy Awards
ISLAMABAD: 2021 was a big year for Pakistani music. We saw it all: the rise of rap, big band break ups, a Grammy nomination and a Guinness record and international stars arriving in Pakistan to perform at weddings. Here, Arab News brings you the best of Pakistan’s 2021 music moments.
Pakistan sets Guinness record for ‘most cars in a drive-in music concert’
A view of Pakistan's first drive-in concert on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan on December 11, 2021. (AN Photo)
On December 11, Pakistan set a Guinness World Record for the most cars at a drive-in music concert. The achievement came at an event in Islamabad featuring singers Bilal Khan, Ali Azmat and Atif Aslam, and organized by telecom operator Jazz in partnership with Active Media Partners and Park View City. GWR created a new category and set a minimum threshold of 1,000 cars, but more than 1,500 vehicles arrived at the concert venue. go Pakistan!
Internationally renowned Pakistani band “Strings” breaks up after 33 years
Pakistani band Strings perform at a concert in IBA university in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 12, 2019. (Photo courtesy: Strings/Facebook)
Pakistani pop-rock band Strings parted ways after 33 years, leaving fans heartbroken. Band members Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia announced the split on March 25 on social media. Strings compositions were not limited to Pakistan only but the duo had composed many songs for Hollywood and Bollywood also. Notably, the band’s single "Najane Kyun" was featured on the soundtrack for the Urdu version of Hollywood film Spider-Man 2 in 2004. One of the most successful seasons of the music show Coke Studio also goes to the band’s credit.
Arooj Aftab’s Grammy nominee
Musician Arooj Aftab (2nd from R) performs at Grote Zaal of TivoliVredenburg in Netherlands on Nov 12, 2021. (Photo courtesy: Ben Houdijk/Social Media)
Pakistani music sensation Arooj Aftab, who made it to former US president Barack Obama’s summer playlist earlier this year, became the first Pakistani to be nominated in the best new artist category for the Grammy Awards. Her nomination marked the first time that a Pakistani woman was recognized by the recording academy, making history for Pakistan and South Asia.
Accent performs live at Lahore wedding
Adrian Sina, lead vocalist of the Romanian pop band Akcent, with the bride and other guests at a wedding in Lahore, Pakistan on November 12, 2021. (Photo courtesy: social media)
On November 12, the lead vocalist of the Romanian pop band Akcent left Pakistani fans in a frenzy after sharing a video on social media of a live performance at a wedding in Lahore. Guests at the event, Lahore’s young and old, could be seen dancing and singing along with their favorite international artist.
PSL Anthem “Groove Mera” got more attention than the PSL
A still from the music video of "Groove Mera" featuring Pakistani singer Naseebo Lal. (Courtesy: Social Media)
The Pakistan Super League’s sixth installment anthem featuring legendary singer Naseebo Lal, Aima Baig and rapping duo Young Stunners made headlines in Pakistan and was as loved as it was criticized. After receiving massive backlash on social media, the Pakistan Cricket Board had to come out in defense of hiring folk artist Naseebo Lal for the anthem. Pacer Shoaib Akhtar joined the heated debate on social media and called the item "the worst song he had heard in the history of the PSL". The women-led anthem was an experiment in mixing folk music with contemporary music composed by artist Xulfi.