Shehzad Roy and Najam Shiraz win at the Lux Style Awards ’09 leaving veterans Ali Azmat, Strings, Shafqat Amanat Ali and newbies Zeb and Haniya high and dry

November 26, 2009

Rock ’em shock ’em:

Maheen Sabeeh
Karachi

Deciphering the numbers

The music winners at Lux Style Awards ’09 indeed came as a surprise. Who would’ve thought that Najam Shiraz would walk away with Song of the Year over Ali Azmat, Shehzad Roy, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan and Zeb and Haniya? But he did.

In reality, the toughest competition for Najam‘s ‘Khwabon Key Rishtey’ was neither Ali Azmat nor Strings. As it turns out, it was Shehzad Roy’s ‘Laga Reh’. The reason one can state this as fact, more than just an observation is because of the numbers that each category generated. In other words, thefinal result list (by the Lux Style Awards) given to the press validates these claims. Instep Today takes a closer look at the votes…

LSA_Ali-AzmatBest Music Album

As far as music awards go, this is the most prestigious and coveted trophy. And last year saw some incredibly tough albums go up against each other. Ali Azmat returned with Klashinfolk. Leaving behind the sonic effects that were the driving force behind his solo debut record Social Circus, Ali opted for a raw, fierce rock sound that was neither redundant nor monotonous. Klashinfolk really was the second coming of Ali Azmat.

Among Other veteran names who took centerstage last year was Strings with Koi Aanay Wala Hai (KAWH) after nearly five years and stunned everyone with their experimental rock edge. KAWH was rock ‘n’ roll with some wonderful signature pop moments.

Zeb and Haniya debuted on the scene with their long-awaited first offering, Chup. With Mekaal Hasan at the helm of production and a great playing line-up inside studios that included names like Omran Shafique, Gumby, Kamran “Mannu” Zafar and Shallum Xavier, the girls proved their mettle as musicians with bluesy ballads and beautiful melodies.

Shafqat Amanat Ali went solo with Tabeer. Nothing like Fuzon‘s Saagar, the album had its fair share of brilliant moments, thanks to the powerful voice that Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan possesses.

And finally there was Qismat Apnay Haath Mein – which took the trophy – that marked the reinvention of Shehzad Roy. The album was split in half. One half was absolutely brilliant with songs like ‘Laga Reh’, ‘Qismat Apnay Haath Mein’, ‘Khul Ke Pyaar Hum Nahin Kar Sakte’ and ‘Quaid e Azam’. The rest of the tunes are nothing to write home about. Qismat Apnay Haath Mein showed explosive verve but that verve wasn’t felt throughout the album.

LSA_Ali-Azmat2But its Qismat Apnay Haath Mein that has picked the most numbers of votes at the Lux Style Awards this year. Shehzad Roy’s QAHM got 14, 453 votes. And the album that came second to Shehzad was Shafqat Amanat Ali’s Tabeer with 13, 648. The third position went to Strings with 7, 787 votes. Ali Azmat’s Klashinfolk managed only 5,079 votes while Zeb and Haniya got 1, 196.

Zeb and Haniya should’ve gotten more votes. However, they are still very young. And back then, there was no Coke Studio because of which the girls received massive airplay on every channel.

Ali Azmat never pushed Klashinfolk in the market with the might shove it needed. But Shafqat’s Tabeer and Strings’ Koi Aanay Wala Hai had neither of those problems. Strings was the first to release the album and they promoted it with sharp videos, television and print interviews and some shows. Shafqat wasn’t far behind with appearances on television, charity concerts and consistent videos.

In comparison, Qismat Apnay Haath Mein did have its moments but it was the weakest record. It didn’t break any new ground musically and while it showed courage, it wasn’t enough to stretch to the whole album. Then why did it get so many votes?

LSA_Shehzad-RoyIt’s simple: shock value sells. Shehzad’s ‘Laga Reh’ had immense power. It was tongue-in-cheek and had was humourous in nature and it was driven from reality. It was in-your-face. It struck a chord with people, so much so that the rest of the music industry was left behind. The power of visuals cannot be denied. This win makes it clear.

Best Music Video

Now this one award was totally predictable. And it went to the right man. Ahsan Rahim knocked the pants off everyone with his brilliant video of ‘Laga Reh’. And fans wholeheartedly agreed.

Ahsan Rahim’s ‘Laga Reh’ took home 17, 218 votes. And the video that was runner-up to ‘Laga Reh’… now that’s the shocker. It’s Zeeshan Parwez‘s incredibly funny and engaging ‘Gallan‘ for Ali Azmat. ‘Gallan’ took 13, 371 votes. Meanwhile Strings’s ‘Jago‘ picked 3, 817 votes; Saqib Malik-directed ‘Aitebaar’ by Zeb and Haniya followed Strings closely with 3, 263 votes while Azal came fifth with 2, 289 votes.

All the videos nominated garnered a decent amount of airplay and all of them left their mark. ‘Laga Reh’ had to win for its sheer courage and a political punch that swept the floor.

Song of the Year

All nominations represent the most popular tunes of 2008. But who would’ve thought that Najam’s ‘Khwabon Kay Rishtey’ would take home the prize? But it did and it was a close call.

LSA_NajamNajam’s ‘Khwabon Key Rishtay’ picked up 13, 329 with Shehzad Roy’s ‘Laga Reh’ picking up 13, 041 votes. In this category, Shafqat Amanat Ali’s ‘Khaireyaan De Naal’ was the third runner up with 7, 204 votes while Zeb and Haniya’s ‘Aitebaar’ took home 3, 821 votes and Ali Azmat closed in last with 3264 votes.

As a song, ‘Khwabon Key Rishtay’ is annoyingly catchy. But beating ‘Laga Reh’ was no easy feat. The song knocked everyone out of the competition except Najam. If I had to guess, it ain’t because the song was brilliant. It was and remains a decent tune. But the win has a lot to do with the video that accompanied this song.

After all, this was the only video that tied up teenage pregnancy, alcoholism, young heartbreak and molesting stepfathers in one shocking knot. And at the end, all of the troubled teens (and all of them are girls) land at a Najam Shiraz concert. Like it or hate it, the visuals had an impact.

The issues that the video highlights are always tip-toed around and are still considered taboo in society. And if a song takes its cue from issues that are being shoved under the carpet, chances are, it’ll make a mark. And that is what has happened with Najam.

Shock value sells. If it didn’t, there would be an entirely different set of winners.