The latest Disney+ MCU series Ms. Marvel has concluded Kamala's origin story, but it has left viewers with a lot to discuss and a lot to listen to. The soundtrack accompanying each of the six episodes present a diverse mix of homegrown Pakistani and Indian hits along with songs from South Asian-origin Western artists.
From Riz Ahmed to 1960s movies, the needle drops in Ms. Marvel are some of the mostly wildly original musical picks to have been seen in a recent MCU offering. All in all, the soundtrack will serve as an interesting cross-cultural portal for newer audiences.
Deal With It - Riz Ahmed
Riz Ahmed is easily one of the best new-age actors who also serve as musicians. Not only can "Riz MC" spit on the mic, but his wordplay often contains satirical jabs and socio-political relevant commentary at modern Islamophobia and racism.
Hailing from his hard-hitting 2020 album The Long Goodbye, "Deal With It" is a bold song of self-proclamation in times of crisis. The song plays in the debut episode when a socially-awkward Kamala walks in to her school that is often ignorant of her identity.
Ko Ko Korina - Ahmed Rushdi
Sung by Ahmed Rushdi and composed by Sohail Rana, "Ko Ko Korina" is a peppy Urdu number that is largely considered as Pakistan's first pop song. The 1966 song from the Pakistani movie Armaan is shown to be a favorite of Kamala's mothers.
At the same time, the catchy song plays a major role in the series as is evident from Bruno's efforts at distracting Damage Control in the season finale. The love ballad plays in multiple scenes and has now found new life in the show's soundtrack.
Thandi Hawa - Ritviz
Indian DJ and singer Ritviz has had an impressive run on Ms. Marvel with three of his songs being featured throughout the first season. One of them is the calming fusion electronica song "Thandi Hawa." The song title translates to "cold wind," and Ritviz uses weather metaphors to depict changes in life, much like how Kamala Khan changes into Ms. Marvel.
Much like the rest of Ritviz's discography, the production is laced with Indian classical vocal chops and fast-paced EDM interludes.
The Sibbi Song - SomeWhatSuper Feat Abid Brohi
"The Sibbi Song" has been a cult hit on its own in Pakistan, and with Ms. Marvel, its global listener base is only bound to explode. Composed by the Pakistani electronic duo SomeWhatSuper with rap verses from Abid Brohi, the song plays in the fourth episode when Kamala explores the city of Karachi.
Much like the MCU Disney+ series itself, "The Sibbi Song" blends the best of both worlds as it includes a folk-style chorus, new-gen rap portions, and some head-banging beat drops.
Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi
While Kamala's parents might tap their feet to some retro-classics from Pakistan, they have always been ardent Bon Jovi fans. So, it is not surprising to find them even arranging for a Bon Jovi cover band at their son's wedding. Dubbed "Brown Jovi," the ensemble ends up performing some of the band's greatest hits including "Livin' On A Prayer."
The optimistic power ballad is an interesting blast from the past in the soundtrack and adds more depth to the personalities of the two parents. It is interesting how even 80s rock n' roll gets incorporated in the tracklist along with all the other diverse genres that it covers.
Pasoori - Ali Sethi And Shae Gill
The fourth episode in the series was a treasure trove of Pakistani songs ranging from old ghazals to new-age viral hits such as the Ali Sethi and Shae Gill duet "Pasoori." Popularized by its appearance in the musical variety TV show Coke Studio Pakistan, "Pasoori" details the turmoil of two lovers dealing with distance.
Even though the song plays in one of the lighter moments of the episode, the poetic lyrics foreshadow the crux of the final scene. Kamala gets teleported back to the tragic past of the 1947 Partition. As Pakistan was carved out of India, communal riots and chaos ensued with each country's communities being plagued with a sense of separation.
Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
Be it in the trailer or the early moments of the first episode, "Blinding Lights" serves as the perfect intro music for the show's protagonist. While most of The Weeknd's music includes a large chunk of bleak songs, his chart-topping single from After Hours is one of his more positive tunes.
Backed by Max Martin's 80s synth-inspired production, the song's upbeat tone offers hope to viewers right from the start. Further, given the show's obsession with notions of "light," it is only apt for it to be fronted with a track called "Blinding Lights".
Peechay Hutt - Talal Qureshi, Hasan Raheem, And Justin Bibis
One of Kamala Khan's relatable traits includes her introverted nature which eventually gives way to her being a confident superhero. To capture this transformation, a confident-sounding track like "Peechay Hutt" seems suitable for the second episode's end credits song. Included in Coke Studio Pakistan (much like "Pasoori"), "Peechay Hutt" unites some of Pakistan's most trending artists including producer Talal Qureshi, rapper Hasan Raheem, and the vocalist duo Justin Bibis.
Roughly translating to "back off," "Peechay Hutt" finds the artists believing in themselves and moving ahead of others.
Anthem - Swet Shop Boys
Right from the start, Kamala Khan is introduced as a fan of Swet Shop Boys, the rap group fronted by actor British actor Riz Ahmed, and American rapper Heems. Given that Ahmed is of Pakistani origin and Heems has Indian roots, they seem to be the perfect artist to be included in Kamala's playlist.
Even though Swet Shop Boys have had some light-hearted tracks, "Anthem" is a no-nonsense banger that finds the rappers re-affirming their identities with an aggressive beat. Even though the track first appears in the sophomore episode, "Anthem" suits more in its second appearance in the season finale as it plays during a crucial chase sequence.
Disco Deewane- Nazia Hassan
Nazia Hassan's disco hit "Disco Deewane" plays in a rugged Chinese restaurant in Karachi, showing how the song's legacy lives on in the country even after years since its release. Produced in the wake of the disco wave in the 1980s, "Disco Deewane" is a timeless classic in both Pakistan and India. It was notably praised for Nazia Hassan's effortless vocals and Indian-British producer Biddu's beats that were typical of that era.
"Disco Deewane" continues to be one of Hassan's biggest hits, cementing her presence in not only South Asian music but worldwide as the accompanying album of the same name charted in fourteen countries (as mentioned in the book Global Bollywood).