Nusrat’s music keeps him alive on Pakistan’s 2025 top artists list

ISLAMABAD: Legendary qawwali master Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan has once again proven that his legacy transcends generations, securing a place among Pakistan’s Top 10 Artists of 2025, according to the latest annual Wrapped data released by Spotify.

More than 27 years after his passing, Nusrat’s music continues to resonate deeply with listeners across the country, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with today’s biggest hip-hop stars.

Spotify Wrapped 2025 shows a clear trend: Pakistan’s music identity is shifting, with local listening up by 70% this year and hip-hop surging by 35%. Yet even in a landscape dominated by young rap and indie artists, Nusrat, ranked fifth, remains firmly embedded in Pakistan’s digital soundscape.

This reflects both the enduring global appeal of his qawwali recordings and the continued relevance of his remastered tracks, international collaborations and viral rediscoveries on social media.

Talha Anjum tops artists’ chart, again!

Talha Anjum topped the list for the second year in a row, followed by Umair and Hasan Raheem, while Atif Aslam and Nusrat rounded out the top five. 

Rising talents such as Maanu, Bayaan, Afusic, AliSoomroMusic and Annural Khalid also featured prominently, underscoring a music scene where new voices are thriving without pushing out the timeless greats.

Top singles

Wrapped data also highlights a strong year for Pakistani singles. “Jhol” by Maanu and Annural Khalid remained the most-streamed local track of 2025, followed by Afusic and AliSoomroMusic’s “Pal Pal” and Bayaan, Hasan Raheem and Rovalio’s “Maand.”

Songs anchored in hip-hop and indie sounds dominated the charts, reflecting shifting tastes among younger listeners.

Top albums

On the albums front, Bayaan’s Safar emerged as the most-streamed Pakistani album of the year, with Talha Anjum and Umair’s collaborative projects, My Terrible Mind and Open Letter, also securing top positions. 

Umair’s Rockstar Without a Guitar and Hasan Raheem’s Dil Kay Parday showed continued strength, while classics like Imran Khan’s Unforgettable and Kaavish’s Gunkali enjoyed renewed interest.