Coke Studio Pakistan season 15

The fifteenth season of the Pakistani music television series Coke Studio Pakistan aired from 14 April to 4 July 2024 and was produced and curated by Xulfi. Maintaining the format of the previous season, this season featured 11 original compositions released as individual singles, each accompanied by a dedicated music video.

Vocalists

 * Abdul Hannan
 * Annural Khalid
 * Amanda Delara
 * Babar Mangi
 * Farheen Raza Jaffry
 * Faris Shafi
 * Gharvi Group (Abida, Rooha Rawal, Saba Hassan & Sajida Bibi)
 * Hasan Raheem
 * Kaavish (Jaffer Zaidi & Maaz Maudood)
 * Kaifi Khalil
 * Karpe
 * Marvi Saiban
 * Maanu
 * Nizam Torwali
 * Noman Ali Rajper
 * Noorima Rehan
 * REHMA
 * Rozeo
 * Sabri Sisters (Anamta Sabri & Saman Sabri)
 * Shazia Manzoor
 * Sajjad Ali
 * Star Shah
 * Umair Butt
 * Zahoor
 * Zeb Bangash
 * Zeeshan Ali

Musicians

 * Acoustic Guitar: Maaz Maudood & Syed Awais Kazmi
 * Banjo: Amir Azhar
 * Banjo Dulcimer, Charango & Cuatro: Muzammil Hussain
 * Chung & Khartal: Lutaf Ali
 * Dholak: Joshua Amjad
 * Drums: Ahad Nayani, Daud Ramay, Gumby & Yusuf Ramay
 * Electric Guitar: Asteria & Awais Kazmi
 * Flute: Haider Abbas (Dawood)
 * Khol: Sagar Veljee
 * Mandolin, Persian Taar & Tumbi: Haider Ali
 * Mallet Station: Shehzad Hunzai
 * Percussions: Aziz Kazi, Joshua Amjad, Shehzad Hunzai & Veeru Shan
 * Shehnai: Attaullah
 * Synth: Ali Raza, Haider Ali & Payam Mashrequi
 * Synth Bass: Ali Raza, Melvin Arthur, Waleed Attique & Zyad Ahmed
 * Tumbi: Muzammil Hussain

Production
In January 2024, Warner Music Group announced a partnership with Giraffe Pakistan. This agreement granted Warner Music South Asia, a part of Warner Music Group, exclusive rights to distribute music produced for Season 15 of Coke Studio Pakistan. Despite this collaboration, Giraffe Pakistan, led by music producer Xulfi, remained the sole producer for Season 15, which premiered on 14 April 2024. O Dimension, with Moiz Qazi as Producer and Amna Maqbool as Associate Producer, undertook production of the Behind the Scenes videos. Geo Network secured the exclusive media rights for the season. Additionally, Spotify continued its role as the official music streaming partner, while TikTok served as the designated entertainment partner.

In a press release, Coke Studio Pakistan emphasized the collaborative nature of the season, describing it as a narrative woven with artistry and collegiality. A team of directors was appointed to helm the music videos for each original song. These directors included established figures such as Zeeshan Parwez and Kamal Khan, alongside Awais Gohar, Murtaza Niaz, Jamal Rahman, and Luke Azariah. During the season launch, Xulfi said: "This season celebrates the enduring power of art, the power of music – the power of love, of warmth and of connection. Each story and world is built on Pakistan’s rich and diverse tapestry: both its heritage and future, fostering a sense of shared identity."

Reception
In the wake of the Israel–Hamas War, Coca-Cola, the sponsor of the Coke Studio franchise, faced calls for a boycott. This movement gained significant traction in Pakistan, where there was a surge in support for domestic brands, leading to a significant decline in viewership compared to previous seasons. Rohail Hyatt, Coke Studio Pakistan's distanced himself from the current season during the boycott campaign. In a Facebook statement, he clarified his separation from the platform, brand, and show in response to calls for his disassociation. The platform itself did not issue a public statement regarding the boycott or the viewership decline.

The season was generally considered a letdown by critics and audiences alike. A critic in Dawn, Pakistan's largest English newspaper, described Coke Studio 15 as a "good-looking disappointment." Indian news portal ThePrint also noted that only a few people were loving Season 15. The platform's shift to a music video format and a revised release schedule, implemented last season, sparked discussions about potential compromises between prioritizing visual aesthetics and preserving the core musical experience. As noted by The Express Tribune, certain music videos, while complementing the songs, occasionally evoked an advertising aesthetic, prompting questions about their ultimate purpose and efficacy. This critique highlighted the ongoing discourse surrounding the interplay between visual elements and their potential to augment or diminish the musical experience.