Tag: Music

  • How old is your music taste? Spotify has the answer

    How old is your music taste? Spotify has the answer

    Spotify Wrapped 2025 has been launched with a new feature known as “Listening Age” to the year’s recap on the platform. This feature calculates a user’s age based on their musical tastes, leading to various reactions online. 

    Numerous listeners took to social media to share their outcomes, frequently pointing out the discrepancies in the assigned age.

    Spotify Wrapped is an annual feature that examines user data to deliver insights into listening behaviors. The platform showcases statistics like the most-streamed songs, albums, and podcasts. 

    The 2025 edition introduces extra components, such as a quiz and the new Listening Age measure. Other streaming services have adopted similar features, with YouTube unveiling “Recap” and Apple launching “Replay.”

    The Listening Age feature is rooted in a psychological idea known as the “reminiscence bump,” which indicates that adults tend to have stronger connections to music from their youth, roughly between the ages of 16 and 21. Spotify determines Listening Age by analyzing the release years of the songs users listened to the most during 2025. It identifies a five-year range of music that users engaged with more than average for their age group and estimates an age based on that timeframe.

    For instance, a person who predominantly streams music from the early 2000s might be given a Listening Age in their early 40s. Likewise, an individual who enjoys older music from the 1960s may be assigned a Listening Age between 70 and 80.


    Spotify highlights that the calculated age does not necessarily align with a user’s true age, as the estimation is based on listening habits rather than birth year.

    To access the Listening Age feature, users need the latest version of the Spotify app on either iOS or Android. The feature can be found by searching for Spotify Wrapped and scrolling to the slide that reads “Age is just a number. So don’t take this personally.” The platform encourages users to check and share their Listening Age, with the ability to revisit the summary section for the information if it was initially overlooked.

    This new feature has initiated conversations online, with users showcasing results that differ greatly from their actual ages. Some listeners reported unexpectedly high or low ages, reflecting the variety in musical tastes. 

    Spotify Wrapped 2025 continues to highlight a mix of data insights and shareable content, upholding the platform’s yearly tradition of revealing listening patterns in an engaging public format.

  • Taurees Habib becomes second Pakistani to win Grammy

    Taurees Habib becomes second Pakistani to win Grammy

    Musician Taurees Habib has made history by becoming the first Pakistani to win a Grammy in the field of sound engineering — and only the second Pakistani ever to receive the prestigious award.

    Originally notified of the award in February, Habib chose to keep his achievement private until the iconic golden gramophone finally reached his home. On Tuesday, he unveiled the award on social media, expressing both gratitude and pride in a heartfelt Facebook post.

    “I’m so incredibly honoured to have received this for my work on Dune: Part Two, and to be the first Pakistani to receive this for engineering and only the second Pakistani ever to win a Grammy,” wrote Habib.

    “It’s crazy to walk into my living room and see this thing just sitting there. I’m so lucky to have gotten to go along for the ride with all the people on our team who put their blood, sweat, and tears into bringing @hanszimmer ‘s vision to life,” he added.

    The Grammy was awarded for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television), recognizing his engineering contributions to the Hans Zimmer-composed soundtrack for Dune: Part Two. The trophy is engraved with: “Taurees Habib, Engineer. Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media — 2024, Dune: Part Two (Hans Zimmer).”

    Habib shared a video on Instagram capturing the emotional moment he unboxed the award. “So something happened this February, and I haven’t really talked about it. It felt like one of those things that’d be better to show than tell about,” he said before revealing the Grammy and placing it on the table with a proud gesture.

    With this landmark achievement, Habib now stands alongside singer Arooj Aftab as one of only two Pakistanis to ever win a Grammy.

  • From folk to future: Sanwal Esakhelvi reimagines father’s monster hit for Gen Z

    From folk to future: Sanwal Esakhelvi reimagines father’s monster hit for Gen Z

    In a bold move bridging generations of Pakistani music lovers, singer Sanwal Esakhelvi, son of the legendary Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, has announced the impending release of a modern reimagining of his father’s iconic folk song Theva.

    The announcement, made on his Instagram account, promises a fusion of Gen Z beats, fresh lyrics, and a renewed energy while honouring the soul of the original.

    “’Theva’ — a timeless melody passed down to me from my father… Today, I honour that legacy with a brand new twist — Gen Z beats, fresh lyrics, and a vibe for the next generation. From tradition to transformation, this is Theva reimagined,” Sanwal wrote on his account.

    Attaullah Esakhelvi, known as the King of Seraiki Music, rose to fame in the 1980s with deeply emotional ballads that captured the hearts of millions. Some of his most unforgettable hits include Qameez Teri Kaali, Bewafa Tera Masoom Chehra,  Idhar Zindagi Ka Janaza Uthega and Sab Maya Hai.

    His rustic voice and soulful poetry turned him into a household name, especially across rural Punjab and the Seraiki belt, with a cult following that spans generations.

    Sanwal, who has carved his own path in the music industry, is no stranger to innovation. He made waves with his Coke Studio Pakistan appearance in Season 12, performing the hauntingly beautiful Mein Irada, a poetic piece that blended spoken word with ambient soundscapes. The performance was praised for its minimalistic yet powerful delivery, cementing Sanwal as a versatile artist.

    Apart from Coke Studio, Sanwal’s solo track Time also earned critical acclaim for its experimental production and introspective lyrics, making it a standout among Pakistan’s indie music scene.

    While the release date remains under wraps, anticipation is high. Sanwal’s version of Theva is expected to be more than just a cover — it’s a transformation. Listeners can expect a modern rework that blends the emotional depth of his father’s original with electronic textures, contemporary rhythm patterns, and perhaps even new lyrical elements.

    Fans are eagerly awaiting to see how Sanwal balances nostalgia with novelty, and how this new rendition might introduce Attaullah’s legacy to a younger, more global audience.

  • Khumariyaan welcomes Pakhtun vocalist Obaid Khan to the band

    Khumariyaan welcomes Pakhtun vocalist Obaid Khan to the band

    Khumariyaan recently took to Instagram to announce that they have added a new Pakhtun vocalist, Obaid Khan, to their music band. The news was met with support by many fans.

    In the same Instagram post, the band shared that they aim to include “languages of our land”, i.e. languages of Pakistan, in their music.

    Khumariyaan, known for being an instrumental band, was founded by rubab player Farhan ‘Bogey’ Bogra in 2005 and officially became a band in 2009. Bogra has always emphasised that the band belongs equally to all its members, each playing a vital role.

    The group includes Bogra on the rubab, Shiraz Khan on the zerbaghali, Sparlay Rawail on lead guitar, and Aamer Shafiq on rhythm guitar.

    Over the years, Khumariyaan has represented Pakistan at international platforms, including the South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival in Texas.

    After over a decade of promoting music from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Bogra believes the band is ready to focus on promoting different languages.

    Obaid Khan, a 28-year-old artist and anthropologist, is the perfect fit because of his multi-lingual abilities.

    “Obaid has done his master’s in anthropology and has been singing and playing in KP for years. With him, we plan to promote Pashto, Kohistani, Hindko, and eventually even languages from Sindh and Punjab,” said Bogra.

  • From Tharparkar to Times Square: Mai Dhai’s journey celebrated on global stage

    From Tharparkar to Times Square: Mai Dhai’s journey celebrated on global stage

    Folk singer Mai Dhai, a renowned figure from the deserts of Tharparkar, has reached a new milestone by being featured on the iconic Times Square billboard in New York City.
    Times Square is well-known for its famous digital billboards and commercials, which include pictures of notable celebrities and a variety of well-known brands. It is acknowledged as one of the world’s busiest travel destinations. 
     
    Mai Dhai belongs to the Manganhar Muslim community, known for its rich musical heritage in Pakistan’s Tharparkar district and India’s Rajasthan state.
     
    Since her breakthrough appearance at the 2013 Lahooti Live Sessions, her unique look and soulful voice have captured the attention of audiences worldwide. With her appearances at the prestigious SXSW Music Festival in 2015 and the City University Graduate Centre in New York, Mai Dhai’s global profile increased even further.
     
    Dhai unexpectedly rose to fame in Pakistan in 2016 after making her Coke Studio season 8 debut and receiving critical acclaim for ‘Aankhaṛli Phaṛookai’ and ‘Kadi Ao Ni,’ which featured Karam Abbas Khan and Atif Aslam.
     
    The official account of Spotify Pakistan posted a picture of Mai Dhai with the captioned, #Koyal jaisi awaaz pohanchi seedha Times Square
    Listen to @MaiDhai_Official on the #EQUALPakistan playlist
      Another singer from Pakistan, Talal Qureshi, was featured on a Spotify billboard at Times Square in October 2023. Spotify promoted his album ‘Turbo’, showcasing his blend of contemporary techno sounds and traditional Pakistani music.

  • ‘I chose music over marriage’; Shazia Manzoor on staying single

    ‘I chose music over marriage’; Shazia Manzoor on staying single

    The queen of soulful singing, Shazia Manzoor, is back with a bang on our airwaves, belting out Coke Studio’s latest single ‘Turri Jandi’.

    The iconic singer ruled the music industry for years, but kept a low profile, choosing to mostly keep her private life away from the limelight.

    Which is why she has stunned fans with her candid confessions in a revealing interview with Sohail Warraich on Aik Din Geo Ke Saath.

    The veteran journalist asked her, “You are the only child of your parents. Why did you not get married?”
    Shazia replied, “I told my parents that I’ve decided not to get married, and it was a surprise to them.” She continued to say, “I believe an artist’s marriage is to their art. Those who love their profession often find their first love in it.”

    The crooner then said that she had dedicated herself to her career. “Perhaps I didn’t give marriage the attention it deserved during that time. I’m a human with my own desires and emotions, but circumstances didn’t allow my relationships to progress. However, I have no regrets about these choices.”
    Shazia Manzoor was formerly engaged to someone in her family, but the engagement ended when she began her singing career.

    She concluded, “I haven’t given up on the idea of marriage altogether. If I find the right person, I would definitely consider it.”

  • AR Rehman’s mother made a huge sacrifice for her son’s passion

    AR Rehman’s mother made a huge sacrifice for her son’s passion

    Indian musician AR Rahman has revealed that his mother sacrificed her jewelry to purchase his first musical instrument.In a recent interview with ‘Netflix India’ celebrating the success of their most recent project, Rahman revealed that he never attended college and felt like he was losing out on a lot at the time. He was speaking with the musical team of ‘Amar Singh Chamkila,’ which includes Imtiaz Ali, Mohit Chauhan, and Irshad Kamil.

    AR Rahman said, “I got bored, so I started listening to different things to see what else was out there. I found that side amazing with so much to explore.” Recalling his early struggles he said, “When I first set up my studio, I couldn’t afford an amplifier or equalizer. It was just a bare space with an air conditioner, a shelf, and a carpet. I had no equipment, but I was determined to make it work.”

    He also said “My first recorder came when my mom gave her jewels as a loan. That moment made me feel strong and changed my future.”

  • Coke Studio is coming back

    Coke Studio is coming back

    Coke Studio is coming back

    Coke Studio Pakistan is getting ready for its 15th season, set to premiere on April 14, 2024.

    The season is expected to showcase Pakistani music talent across different genres, continuing its tradition of innovation and cultural expression.

    While the lineup for Season 15 is still a secret, people are eagerly waiting to see the potential collaborations and talents it will feature. The show has a history of making emerging artists famous, which adds to the excitement about its upcoming season.

  • Sahir Ali Bagga calls Rahat Fateh Ali Khan a ‘hypocrite’ on Insta

    Sahir Ali Bagga calls Rahat Fateh Ali Khan a ‘hypocrite’ on Insta

    Sahir Ali Bagga is a musician who has been ruling the pakistani music industry for years. He is the man behind almost all the hit title songs of famous Pakistani dramas.
    Bagga has also composed songs for ghazal singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. They collaborated for many years, but lately, Bagga has openly criticized his former close friend, indicating that they are not on good terms now.

    The singer has shared a post on Instagram stating, “Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is the biggest hypocrite and a brutal person -Khuda ki lanat ho munafiq pe Rahat Fateh — Khan Darinda sift hone kay sath MUNAFIQ bhi hai”.

    Bagga did not make it clear what triggered his post.

    Take a look:

  • Anzela Abbasi is quitting acting

    Anzela Abbasi is quitting acting

    Anzela Abbasi is from one of the most talented families in entertainment. Her dad Shamoon Abbasi and mom Javeria Abbasi are big stars, and her aunt Anoushay Abbasi is also a famous actress. She herself tried acting, doing a few projects, but later she decided to focus more on modeling.

    Anzela hasn’t acted for a while, and people haven’t seen her on TV lately. But now, she’s getting ready to begin a music career. In an interview, she said she’s always dreamed of doing music, and now she’s finally following that dream. She explained why she left dramas and acting.

    Anzela explained that she’s not trying to change anything, it’s just that people don’t know her well. Being different doesn’t mean she’s bad, she said, acknowledging that her uniqueness can be hard for some to understand, but she’s okay with it.

    “Acting runs in the family, and I pursued it once I became an adult. While it was nice, it didn’t fully satisfy my artistic side. Pakistani dramas, for those who have watched them, often revolve around typical household issues and portray women in a derogatory manner. It didn’t resonate with the person I am. People started seeing me as just another actress from dramas, but in reality, I’m not. I’m a simple, soft-spoken person, and because I don’t do anything extravagant, I was labeled as plain and simple. I’m not like that. People who watch my dramas are surprised to see me speaking English on my Instagram because they have a different perception of me.”