Karachi: Spotify proudly launched its much-anticipated ICON Pakistan program during an immersive event titled ‘House of ICON’ at the historic TDF Ghar in Karachi, celebrating the nation’s rich musical heritage. The event provided a unique experience, taking attendees on a journey through decades of iconic music, highlighting the artists and tracks that have shaped Pakistan’s vibrant music scene since the 1950s. The evening concluded with the announcement of the first Spotify ICON Pakistan artist: the Shehenshah-e-Qawwali, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
The gathering attracted numerous celebrities, media personalities, artists, and social media influencers, all there to honor the unveiling of the first Spotify ICON Pakistan and to witness the magic of Pakistan’s musical history. Notable attendees included artists like Asim Azhar, Young Stunners, Junaid Khan, former Vital Signs bassist Shahzad ‘Shahi’ Hassan, composer Arshad Mehmood, Bilal Saeed, and Spotify’s RADAR artist Umair, among others.
“We are incredibly proud to launch the Spotify ICON Pakistan series by celebrating one of the greatest music legends of all time, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. With over 800 million streams worldwide and nearly 60 million hours of his music listened to on Spotify, his influence is both profound and far-reaching,” said Khan FM, Spotify’s Senior Artist & Label Partnerships Manager for Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The celebration of Spotify ICON Pakistan is a tribute to Nusrat’s incredible journey and his significant impact on Pakistan’s music culture.
Recognized as one of the most influential qawwali singers in history, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan continues to inspire generations with his deeply soulful music. Since Spotify’s launch in Pakistan in 2021, there have been over 900,000 searches for “Nusrat.” In 2024, his most-streamed tracks on the platform include “Mere Rashke Qamar,” “Sochta Houn,” and “Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai.” Nusrat ranks among the top 5 Pakistani artists on Spotify, showcasing his extraordinary talent and lasting popularity. He has over 5.7 million monthly listeners, with a growing fan base, particularly among younger audiences. Nearly 60% of his current listeners are from Gen-Z, and he has experienced a 26% year-on-year growth in streams over the past year, reinforcing his lasting impact across generations.
Nusrat’s collaborations with international icons such as Peter Gabriel and Eddie Vedder, along with his innovative mix of traditional qawwali and contemporary sounds, have garnered him a substantial local and global following. His music transcends borders, with Spotify listeners from countries including India, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
The enduring influence of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is the focus of a new short film produced by Spotify, which premiered at the House of ICON event. The ‘House of ICON’ also emphasized the lasting relevance of legacy artists, highlighting the unique blend of nostalgia and modernity that the Spotify ICON Pakistan program seeks to offer today’s listeners. The exhibition will remain open for a few weeks, inviting visitors to explore the nostalgia and history of Pakistan’s rich musical journey.
Through Spotify ICON Pakistan, Spotify aims to bridge the gap between generations, honoring and celebrating legacy artists in the digital age as they continue to inspire new audiences across the country. This launch marks the beginning of a series of campaigns under the Spotify ICON Pakistan banner, set to feature more legendary figures from Pakistan’s musical history.
