Spotify Announces Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan as the First Artist for ICON Pakistan

On Saturday, Spotify proudly launched its highly anticipated ICON Pakistan program at an immersive event titled ‘House of ICON’ held at the historic TDF Ghar in Karachi. This celebration was not just a launch but a tribute to Pakistan’s rich musical heritage, offering an exclusive experience that took attendees on a captivating journey through decades of iconic music. The event spotlighted the artists and tracks that have shaped Pakistan’s vibrant music landscape since the 1950s and culminated in the unveiling of the first Spotify ICON Pakistan artist: the legendary Shehenshah-e-Qawwali, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

A Celebration of Music and Culture

The event attracted a diverse crowd of notable celebrities, media personalities, artists, and social media influencers, all gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the first Spotify ICON Pakistan and to witness the magic of Pakistan’s rich music history come to life. Among the noteworthy attendees were 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, to name a few.

Khan FM, Spotify’s Senior Artist & Label Partnerships Manager for Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, expressed his pride in launching the 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,” he stated. “The Spotify ICON Pakistan celebration is a tribute to his incredible journey and his impact on the Pakistan music culture.”

The Enduring Legacy of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Regarded 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 debut in Pakistan in 2021, there have been over 900,000 searches for “Nusrat” on the platform. In 2024, his most streamed tracks include “Mere Rashke Qamar,” “Sochta Houn,” and “Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai.” He ranks among the top 5 Pakistani artists on Spotify, with over 5.7 million monthly listeners, a testament to his extraordinary talent and enduring popularity. Notably, nearly 60% of his current listeners are from Gen-Z, showcasing his appeal to younger audiences. Over the past year, he has experienced a 26% year-on-year growth in streams on the platform, solidifying his lasting impact across generations.

Nusrat’s collaborations with international icons like Peter Gabriel and Eddie Vedder, coupled with his innovative blend of traditional qawwali and contemporary sounds, have earned him a vast local and global following. His music transcends borders and genres, resonating with Spotify listeners from countries including India, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and Germany.

A New Short Film and Exhibition

Highlighting Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s enduring influence, Spotify premiered a new short film during the House of ICON event. The exhibition emphasized the lasting relevance of legacy artists, showcasing the unique blend of nostalgia and modernity that the Spotify ICON Pakistan program aims to deliver to today’s listeners. The exhibition will remain open for several weeks, inviting visitors to embrace the nostalgia and history of Pakistan’s rich musical journey.

Bridging Generations through Music

Through the Spotify ICON Pakistan initiative, Spotify is bridging the gap between generations, providing a platform for legacy artists to be honored and celebrated in the digital age, inspiring 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 rich musical history.

With the launch of the ICON Pakistan program, Spotify not only pays homage to one of Pakistan’s greatest musical legends but also paves the way for a brighter future for the country’s music industry, ensuring that the legacy of artists like Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan continues to resonate with fans for generations to come.