Only a few musicians were vocal during the first few weeks of the July uprising. They weren’t mainstream musicians, but two independent artists making their voices heard and standing by the people when the people needed them the most.
"Awaaz Utha" by Hannan and "Kotha Ko" by Shezan echoed the voices of millions across and country and became the symbol and anthem of hope.
And now their brave stories are being featured in this year's English For Today textbook for Class 7.
On Lesson 3: A New Generation under Unit 4 of the textbook, it reads "Have you heard the song 'Kotha Ko' by Shezan? While singers from earlier generations were often too afraid to use music as a form of protest, artists like Shezan and Hannan have courageously spoken out. Their rap songs became anthems of the July uprising in 2024,"
Shezan expressed his joy saying, "I dropped out of university to do this rap thing. Now they are reading our stories in schools. Forever grateful to our people."
On July 25 Hannan was arrested just a week after his song was released but by that time the song had already generated enough buzz and connected with people. And just a week before on July 16 Shezan released his song calling for acting and justice.