Pakistani music is once again gaining international attention in the football world as FIFA featured the viral hit “Blockbuster” to celebrate the entry of France’s football star Kylian Mbappe onto the field.
With a touch of traditional folk music, “Blockbuster” is a Punjabi song composed and written by Pakistani artists Zulfikar Jabbar Khan (Xulfi), Umair Butt, Faris Shafi, and Shamroz Butt.
Faris, a renowned Pakistani rapper, provided vocals for the song alongside Umair and the all-female group Gharwi Group, comprising Abida, Rooha Rawal, Sajida Bibi, and Saba Hassan.
FIFA recently shared a reel on its official TikTok account showcasing highlights of 25-year-old Mbappe celebrating on the field, accompanied by the viral song in the background. The post was captioned: “Mbappe’s ‘BLOCKBUSTER’ entry”.
Released as part of Coke Studio Pakistan’s season 15 on May 25, the song has garnered widespread popularity among millions in Pakistan and is gaining international recognition.
Upon discovering FIFA’s post, Xulfi expressed his excitement on Instagram, stating: “From Coke Studio Pakistan to FIFA’s global stage – our ‘Blockbuster’ just featured with Mbappe on FIFA’s official TikTok page! This feels surreal. Our music and beats are transcending boundaries, creating opportunities that once seemed impossible. Congratulations, Pakistan. This is wonderful and monumental.”
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The song gained popularity due to its energetic dance sequence and its single-take music video.
It also found its way into the trending songs on Spotify India, where listeners took to Instagram to celebrate its international success.
One listener from India remarked, “It feels like I’ve reached the border while scrolling.”
FIFA’s decision to feature the song comes shortly after using Pakistani folk singer Arif Lohar’s 2023 song “Aa” to wish Argentine football legend Lionel Messi a happy birthday.