Dancing to the beats of Nahubo

Dhaka is rocking to the beats of Animes Roy's Nahubo, the new song of Coke Studio Bangla Season 2.  Animes in his rockstar avatar is sporting a stache and his long curly locks are swinging as his head bangs to the grooves of Nahubo, the Hajong song, where the verses loosely mean "it is not going to work this way".

Composed and arranged by Sayonton Mangsang, Nahubo is written and tuned by Animes. Both artistes are from indigenous backgrounds and they are promoting their culture on global platforms.

"It is super local going super global. I wanted to accommodate their pursual of taking their music and culture to make a global connection," says Shayan Chowdhury Arnob, who curated and produced the track.

"The background story of the song is interesting. Both Animes and Sayonton composed the song and played it for friends. I came to know from them how superb this new composition was, and after a lot of coaxing, I heard the song and instantly found that it is unlike any sound, it is high energy, and unapologetic. You are physically moving to the beats the moment you hear it. It has the flute and esraj; it has a raw energy that moves you as well.  But there was a clear message to the youth to not follow trends but be their own selves," expresses Arnob, adding that Animes is a shy boy but on stage, he is a star and can make everyone dance to his beats.

The guitar work by Buno in bass and Imran and Saadul in electric is energetic and striking, keeping everyone on their toes and dancing with the lead vocals. The song talks about how the generation is defying set rules and standards set by others to conform to love. You do what you want, ''let them call me bad, I will still be myself" is how one describes the lyrics.

Paired with rapper Daughter of Coastal, the Chittagonian rap brings a certain unique liveliness to the beats. The set is equally captivating with fire spinning and hanging lights, the rocking mood is set for young at heart and people are commenting how Hajong is now the party language.

"Sohana practising from Cox's Bazar is also bringing her uniqueness to the song. It is pleasantly surprising how a young girl from conservative Cox's Bazar is rapping in Chittagonian language.  Practising music on the sly, hiding from parents is indeed a feat," Arnob feels.

The almost five-minute song has hit more than 20K within hours of the launch. The use of Hajong language has had a special impact on listeners since the first "Nasek Nasek" hit and Nahubo is equally catchy and entertaining.

It celebrates the feeling of not surrendering to norms and staying confined to the boundaries of love or society.