Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan is a Pakistani music composer and producer. He produced the Coke Studio season 14 in 2022. He composed the 5th Pakistan Super League anthem “Tyyar Hain Hum.” He is the founder of the production company “Giraffe Pakistan.”
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan was born on Tuesday, 28 October 1980 (age 43 years; as of 2023) in Lahore, Pakistan. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He pursued a graduate degree at the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences in Lahore.
A childhood photograph of Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan
In his college days, he fell and suffered from a slipped disc which led him to be bedridden for two months; that was what he claims to be a life-changing experience for him as he composed music on his computer. In an interview he said
In those two months of being bedridden, I created a whole instrumental album, It was called The Lifeless Journey and I called myself Silence. Because silence was all that I could experience.”
It was the college where he met actor, and singer, Fawad Khan, rhythm guitarist, Hassaan Khalid, and drummer, Waqar Khan, and formed a band named Paradigm.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 10″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
There is not much information about his parents or siblings.
A childhood photograph of Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan with his mother
Wife & Children
There is not much information about his wife and children.
Career
Bollywood
He has worked on many Bollywood projects. He sang a song, “Laaree Chooti,” for the film Ek Chalis Ki Last Local in 2007. He was the singer of the song “Dhadke Jiya” from the film Aloo Chat and the song “Yeh Pal” from the film Aasma in 2009. In 2009, he composed more songs like “Kuch Aisa, Kuch Aisa (Sad Version)” and “Reh Jaane Do” from the film Aao Wish Karein.
Coke Studio
In 2022, he produced Pakistani season 14 of Coke Studio under his production company Giraffe Pakistan, which is famous for songs like Tu Jhoom, Pasoori, and Phir Milenge. On the launch of Coke Studio season 14, he said
Artistic, talented, progressive – if we get our powers together, we are amazing. For me, Coke Studio can open peoples’ hearts to Pakistan.”
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan with Pakistani singer Abida Parveen during Coke Studio shoot
Band
He has been part of musical bands like Entity Paradigm and Call. In the Entity Paradigm band, Ahmed Ali Butt, Hassaan Khalid, Salman Albert, Sajjad Ali Khan, and Fawad Khan were the other members and they composed an album Iritqa; consisting of songs Hamesha, Waqt, Kahan Hai Tu, etc, in 2003.
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan with other members of Entity Paradigm band
In 2003, he joined the rock band “Call”, Junaid Khan and Sultan Raja were other members of the band. They have created two albums, Jilawatan (2005) and Dhoom (2011). The soundtracks composed under this band were featured in Bollywood films Aloo Chat, Ek Chalis Ki Last Local, and Aasma. They have also created patriotic songs “Humse Hai Ye Zamana” and “Aasmaan.” He has composed more albums like Inteha’s album Daastaan, and Ankur Tewari’s album Jannat.
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan in the Band Call
He reunited with the band Entity Paradigm and performed at the Pepsi Battle of the Bands season two.
Music for Brands
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan has worked with various brands and composed anthems for brands. He produced the 2019 Cricket World Cup anthem “Hum Aik Hain” by Coca-Cola Pakistan. He produced the team anthem “Hum Zalmi” for the Pakistan Super League team Peshawar Zalmi. He created a video song ” Rung Do” to spread awareness about planting trees in the collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature- Pakistan. Xulfi composed and produced the official PSL Anthem named “Tayyar Hain” for the 5th edition of the 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.
Contribution Pakistani Music
He has not just contributed to Pakistan music by creating songs but he has also created a television music series “Nescafé Basement” through which introduced many new musical bands. In the fourth season of Nescafe Basement, he brought ten girls to compose a cover of John Newman’s “Love Me Again” in 2016: it was the first-ever all-girl band in Pakistan. In an interview with The Express Tribune, Jabbar said
Ten months ago, I had heard the song on the radio. I immediately thought a bunch of girls should sing it. The song had that vibe to it. The moment I heard her play, I decided I will go with an all-girls ensemble. We had to prepare them and I acknowledge the role of my male players who helped all along. Everyone is sharing it. Newman himself did! Nothing could be bigger than this!”
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan with the all-girls band at the show Nescafé Basement
He formed the all-kids band that made a cover for the song “Pyar Diyan Gallan” at Nescafé Basement.
Controversies
Stealing melody for Coke Studio season 14
A 20-years old female artist Nirmala Maghani claimed that Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan has stolen her melody for the song “Tu Jhoom” for the coke studio season 14 and sent him a legal notice of Rs100 million claiming the copyrights of the song. As per reports, she claimed that she sent sample audio to Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan on WhatsApp from which he stole the tune and changed the lyrics to compose the song. In an interview, she said
I kept calling Xulfi since I heard the song and after a day he finally responded by saying ‘I didn’t even download your audio file,’ which isn’t true because all my messages were received with blue ticks.”
In an interview with The Express Tribune, Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan said
I am grateful and humbled to receive many talented artists’ requests for collaboration from all over Pakistan, as have many producers before me. However, I can’t say my work for Coke Studio borrowed from such shared samples I received. I do hope to have the fortune of listening to Nirmala Manghani’s songs in person and to possibly come together for collaboration ahead: our young brilliant artists across Pakistan are our future.” [1]The Tribune Express
Facts/Trivia
- Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan has another name “Xulfi” by which he is famous among his fans.
- He was a music producer and mentor for Nescafé Basement seasons 1 to 5.
- Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan became the first Pakistani musician who got endorsed by Vicoustic – a soundproofing company in August 2020.
- He is a dog lover and owns a dog named Renzo.
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan with his dog, Renzo
- He has a collection of guitars including brands like Revelation RJT-60.
- He calls himself a Potterhead as he is a fan of the Harry Potter series.
- He has won ARY Music Award and the Indus Music Award for his compositions.
- He was nominated for Radio Mirchi Awards for the song “Yeh Pal” from the film Aasma in 2009.
References
| ↑1 | The Tribune Express |
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