Karachi: While American rapper Macklemore was grabbing headlines all over the world for political reasons, on Wednesday evening, two French rap artists, Lobo EL and Cotchei, impressed music lovers at the Alliance Francaise de Karachi with their improvisational and singing skills.

The master of the ceremony (MC) for the evening was the Pakistani hip-hop artist Taishi who handled proceedings pretty well. He first requested the director of the Alliance Francaise, Emmanuel Breurec, to say a few words, which Mr Breurec did in English and French, and then invited the rappers on stage to perform. Lobo EL and Cotchei immediately got the audience’s undivided attention by improvising a track, nicely mixed with Urdu phrases and the names of those who had helped put together the gig. It did not take long for the guests to move to the beat of the song and smile at the way the duo peppered it with local words.

Their second bit was a freestyling piece. It had an upbeat mood. Again, the seriousness of the two artists and the concentration with which they sang, nay rapped, each word, was worth taking note of.

No different was the reception to the song that followed, but at the start of the fourth number, Cotchei pleasantly surprised the audience with his beatboxing talent. The rhythmic sounds that he made effortlessly paved the way for the song that the pair was to present after.

Lobo EL and Cotchei sang Nazia Hasan’s ‘Disco deewane’, besides French and Spanish songs at Alliance Francaise

Things didn’t stop there. The French artists played the opening of Nazia Hasan’s iconic song ‘Disco deewane’ to segue into their next track. Then there was also piece in French and Spanish languages.

Talking to Dawn prior to the concert, Lobo EL said, “I’ve been working since 2009. It’s been 17 years. Cotchei and I have been together for the last six years.”

He said the two got together as a performing unit because they have been friends since they were very young. “His humility, his kindness and the closeness of our families are some of the reasons. As far as the creative process is concerned, both of us have got the same vision for society, the same tastes in music, and the same interests and hobbies in life.”

Speaking about the international artists that have influenced their music, Lobo EL said the influence does not come from rap. “It comes from soul music like Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and Nina Simone.”

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2026