Rachel Viccaji Performed ‘Neray Aa’ with Overload at Coke Studio Season 5
Rachel Viccaji has come a long way since her first appearance on Coke Studio the previous year. Now, doing backing vocals for a second year, Rachel has taken on a daunting challenge – singing lead for a Punjabi song, a language she doesn’t speak.
“This is going to be the first eastern song I’ll be actually singing and not just doing background vocals for. It’s a big step and it’s not just eastern its Punjabi, theth Punjabi,” says Rachel, somewhat nervous and excited about the pressure of her debut performance.
Rachel, a 22-year-old undergraduate student studying psychology at Szabist, has made a name for herself in the performing arts and is now taking her name further as a lead singer on the most celebrated music projects in the country. She worked hard with co-singer Farhad Humayun on a re-invention of Neray Ah, a somewhat controversial song. Originally sung by Saira Naseem for the renowned Pakistani film, Choorian, directed by Syed Noor, Neray Ah is a bold song adding a very unique flavor to the musical blend of season 5. Rachel enthralled the set with her vast range and the high notes she hit in electrifying screams and unusual harmonies.
This season Rachel has broadened her singing base and cultivated her skill towards singing more Eastern styles. This was a big change for someone who speaks English as a first language and grew up singing and listening to Western music. Rachel and her sister, fellow backing vocalist, Zoe Viccaji, started formal voice training lessons with a teacher who is helping them adjust their vocal talents to Eastern melodies and musical concepts.
Rachel’s exposure to Pakistani music broadened this year after providing backing vocals for regional artists from across the country as well the fusion of western genres including rap and pop. Rachel further developed her skills of harmonizing in different ways and coming up with new ideas for backing melodies. Among the youngest members of the Coke Studio, Rachel is a rising star with a dazzling career ahead of her.
– Photography by Kohi Marri
