ISLAMABAD: Pakistani classical singer Mai Dai recently appeared on a billboard at New York City’s iconic Times Square, becoming the latest celebrity of Pakistani origin to be promoted at the prestigious venue.
Located in the heart of New York City, Times Square is famous for its iconic digital billboards and advertisements displaying images of celebrities and various famous brands. It is known as one of the busiest traffic locations in the world.
Dai, a singer in his 70s from Tharparkar district in southern Pakistan, known for its desert landscapes and diverse culture, belongs to the Manganar Muslim community, a well-known community of singers who live in the Pakistani Tharparkar district and the Indian state of Rajasthan, which share the border.
“The cuckoo-like voice comes directly to Times Square,” Spotify Pakistan posted on Instagram on Saturday, sharing a photo of Dhai standing on a vertical billboard in Times Square. “Listen to My Dhai on our #EQUALPAKISTAN playlist.”
Spotify’s Equal Pakistan initiative aims to recognise the talent and contributions of women artists in Pakistan and promote both established and emerging female artists.
Dai has performed at many of Pakistan’s popular music festivals to critical acclaim, but first rose to fame across Pakistan with his critically acclaimed debut in 2016 on Coke Studio Season 8, where he performed alongside artists Karam Abbas Khan and Atif Aslam on the songs “Aankhaṛli Phaṛookai” and “Kadi Ao Ni.”
In October 2023, Pakistani musician and singer Talal Qureshi also appeared on a Spotify billboard in Times Square, with the music platform and streaming app promoting Qureshi’s 2023 album “Turbo” on the billboards.
Known for seamlessly blending traditional Pakistani music with modern electronic sounds, Qureshi is known for hits such as “Peechay Hat,” “Hiko,” “Faltu Pyaar” and “Paisa.”
