Spotify celebrates women artists, launches Equal Pakistan

In celebration of the International Women’s Day and on a continued mission to turn up the volume on Pakistani women creators by giving them a platform to share their content with the world, Spotify brings Equal to Pakistan, a statement said.

Through its local version, Equal Pakistan, Spotify’s global music programme aims at amplify the work of women creators by utilising 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 each month, highlighting their music releases and encouraging fans to discover them and Pakistani music sensation, Arooj Aftab, becomes the first Equal Pakistan ambassador in 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 programme will help uplift women in the audio industry of Pakistan,” Arooj Aftab said.

“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,” she said.

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”.