Coca Cola Has Been Served!
Farhad Humayun, Pakistani singer, drummer and director of drum jam band Overload since its founding in 2003, has served Coca Cola a legal notice against their blatant use of his music from the song “Neray Aah” that came out in 2012 via Coke Studio.
Coca Cola has lifted the “groove, melody, staccato vocalization, accents, tempo” from the song “Neray Aah” according to the Pakistani musician’s social media posts and tweet for the teaser trailer of the upcoming season of their music show “Coke Studio”. Due to their use of his talent without any collaboration or even permission, Humayun is now serving them a legal notice on the basis of a violation of intellectual property rights. The reason that this is such a big deal and violation is because he produced a version of that song with Coke Studio in 2012, but they didn’t use that version and only picked the song apart and used the material instead.
Farhad Humayun, son of famed Pakistani author and performing artist Navid Shahzad, first joined the music scene with “Co-Ven” and then by forming “Mindriot” in 1994. He has drummed alongside Pakistani musical legends like Noori, Fuzön, and Atif Aslam, later serving with Coke Studio for their fifth season in 2012. It was during his university studies at the National College of Arts in Lahore, Pakistan (his hometown), that Humayun formed Overload during their numerous jamming sessions and the Western Music Society events on campus. Soon after their formation, the band became known for its loud music that also became the iconic sound at events like fundraisers, cricket matches, closing ceremonies, and any occasion where people would want to dance!
Listen to his iconic song below which is often covered by underground musicians and artists at university events:
For somebody with such brilliant credentials and a musical background this vast and well-influenced, it is unbelievable that his work was plagiarised by a company with which he has not only worked, but one that is successful enough that they should not have to pull such a move. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that a talented artist has been pushed aside by a successful brand or company while their talent and artwork is stolen and used without the artist even receiving credits for their efforts. Some of the examples include Shehzilm vs. Gul Ahmed, Faraz Anwar vs. Emirates, SeharsStudio (@thepakistanimarthastewart on IG) vs. Digital Realm, and many more.
Here’s to hoping that Pakistani artists and their work and talent is given the respect, recognition, credit, and appreciation that it deserves!
Credit: Farhad Humayun
