EQUAL Pakistan: Spotify Celebrates Women Artists

Arooj Aftab, Pakistan’s first woman Grammy nominee, talks about changing stereotypical social norms as EQUAL Pakistan’s ‘Ambassador of the Month’

S Through its local version, EQUAL Pakistan, Spotify’s Global Music Program aims to amplify the work of women creators by utilizing the platform’s resources and providing new opportunities for these creators through a globally cohesive and branded experience.

EQUAL Pakistan will spotlight an ‘Ambassador of the Month’, highlighting their music releases and encouraging fans to discover them. Pakistani music sensation, Arooj Aftab, will become the first EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador in the month of March.

Arooj Aftab has been making waves in Pakistan’s music scene by racking up not one but two Grammy nominations – first nominated for Best New Artist and again for ‘Best Global Music Performance’ for “Mohabbat“. Additionally, she will be the first Pakistani artist to perform at Coachella with Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, and Ye as headliners.

“I am extremely excited to be the first Ambassador of EQUAL Pakistan because this kind of well-structured program will help uplift women in the audio industry of Pakistan,” said Arooj Aftab. “If I could do something to promote women artists of Pakistan, I would give them all the gigs. All the women working in the music industry are super talented, so the industry should give them a chance to prove themselves and learn from those opportunities to get better at what they are already doing. We hire men by just looking at the potential that they have but in the case of women, we are constantly waiting for them to prove themselves. I think this mindset needs to change.”

Throughout March, Spotify will feature leading women artists on the covers of its most popular playlists, including “Hot Hits Pakistan“, “Angrezi Indie“, “Pakistani Indie 101“, and “Pakistani Pop”.

“South Asian women creators face unique challenges in this male-dominated industry, and Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan goes the extra mile to elevate women musicians beyond genres,” says Rutaba Yaqub, Spotify Pakistan’s Music Manager. “Our EQUAL Pakistan playlist features women producers, instrumentalists, vocalists, songwriters, and more. The recognition is long overdue, and we invite our listeners to keep discovering and listening to Pakistani women at full volume.”

From Annural Khalid to Farheen Raza Jaffery, Spotify has focused on women’s voices since its launch and opened the door for many new women creators to be discovered by new fans.

The EQUAL Pakistan program includes: