Taha Malik

Taha Malik
Born
Taha Malik
Other names
  • KOSTAL
Occupations
  • Record producer
  • rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • film music director
  • musical artist
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Drum machine
  • keyboards
  • synthesizer
  • bass guitar
  • piano
  • sampler
  • vocals
Years active2003–present
Labels
Websitewww.tahamalik.com

Taha Malik was born on 31 March 1987, in United States. He is a Pakistani-American record producer, musician, rapper, and Film score composer. On completing his formal education he began his career as a record producer.

Early life

During high school, Malik began exploring music-making on a desktop computer at home. In high school, he was DJing. He got a RadioShack MIDI keyboard and a Roland MC-909. This was the turning point to a career in music production. Still, Malik does not define his music as "electronic music." He says: "I like experimenting...I like to bend genres."[1]

Career

Advertising

Malik has worked with Ogilvy and Mather as music director, strategist and consultant, and with multinational brands. Malik has produced content television, radio, and digital campaigns.[2] He has worked with longtime collaborator Adnan Malik, and filmmakers Ahsan Rahim, Kamal Khan, Asim Raza, and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.[2]

Cinema

In 2019, Malik created songs in the films Laal Kabootar[3] and Baaji. Malik's singing in Laal Kabootar was described by Something Haute as "power-packed vocals."[4] According to the Express Tribune: "Laal Kabootar isn't only an impressive visual experience but its sound and production design further break new ground.[5]

Laal Kabootar has been selected as Pakistan's official submission for the 92nd Academy Awards (Oscars), and is a candidate for nomination in the best International Feature Film category.[6][7] Laal Kabootar (The Red Pigeon) was screened at the 2020 Palm Springs International Film Festival in California.[8] It was also screened at the Singapore International Film Festival[9] and won best feature at the Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival.[10]

TV/Digital

In 2020, Malik wrote the original music score for YouTube's Season 1 of "Fundamental. Gender Justice. No Exceptions," which has been nominated for two DayTime Emmy Awards in 2021.[11][12]

Installations

In 2017, Malik contributed to HOME 1947, an exhibition in collaboration with the British Council, Citizen's Archive of Pakistan and Sharmeen Obaid. "Before arriving in Karachi, Home 1947 was showcased in Manchester in July, followed by Mumbai in August and Lahore in the month of October."[13]

Malik discussing film and music, alongside Azaan Sami, Ayla Raza, and Babar Sheikh in Karachi.

Credits

Filmography

Discography

Year Title Network Notes
2003 Street Beats Vol. 1 Bootleg ft. RDB
2004 Labh Janjua: The King
2010 Mauj: Now in Technicolor Fire Records [14]
2010 Stereo Nation: Twist & Shout Universal Records

Singles

  • Jaan Jaye ft. Lil Mike (2005)
  • Aajana ft. Najam Sheraz (Remix)
  • Nahi Hai Yeh Pyar ft. Haroon
  • Holi Holi ft. Stereo Nation & Bohemia
  • Jalaibee ft. Umair Jaswal
  • Laal Kabootar ft. Zoe Viccaji
  • Jugart ft. Jabar Abbas
  • Raag Murli ft. Mai Dhai
  • Sanwal ft. Sanam Marvi
  • Khilti Kali ft. Zeb Bangash
  • Gangster Guriya ft. Sunidhi Chauhan
  • Baby, Take It Easy ft. Sajjad Ali
  • Churails ft. Zoe Viccaji

Television

Year Title Role Notes
Mangoes Series Canada
2016 Lux Style Awards Music Director
2016 Hum Style Awards Music Director
2020 Churails Original series on ZEE5

References

  1. ^ H, Faisal Ali (17 June 2019). "HIP Exclusive: Composer Taha Malik Talks About Creating 'Khilti Kali' for 'Baaji'". HIP. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b Sabeeh, Maheen. "Talking to Taha Malik". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  3. ^ Sabeeh, Maheen. "Talking to Taha Malik". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2 August 2022.
  4. ^ "Laal Kabootar's title track is out and we're loving it". Something Haute. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
  5. ^ "Laal kabootar". 23 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Film "LAAL KABOOTAR" is Pakistan's official entry for Oscars 2019". Oyeyeah. 13 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  7. ^ "Oscars: Pakistan Selects 'Laal Kabootar' for International Feature Film Category". The Hollywood Reporter. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  8. ^ "The Red Pigeon | Palm Springs International Film Festival". www.psfilmfest.org. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  9. ^ "Singapore International Film Festival".
  10. ^ "Pakistan's Entry to the Academy Awards 'Laal Kabootar' Wins Best Feature at Visaff – Sinema.SG – Singapore Film News Portal since 2006". www.sinema.sg. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  11. ^ "'Fundamental, Gender Justice, No exceptions,' nominated for Emmy Awards". Daily Times. 29 June 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  12. ^ Schneider, Michael (28 June 2021). "Courteney Cox, Zac Efron, Mark Hamill Among Nominees as Daytime Emmys Reveal Children's, Animation, Lifestyle Categories". Variety. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
  13. ^ "'Home 1947' — Honouring the fallen and the surviving". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  14. ^ "Instep Magazine". jang.com.pk. Retrieved 18 June 2019.