A big year for local music as young hip-hop artists dominate Pakistan’s listening trends
Talha Anjum. photo: file
Spotify’s biggest annual moment returns this year with a deeper look into Pakistan’s evolving music landscape, and 2025 Wrapped makes one thing clear: the country’s love for local music has never been louder. With Pakistani music consumption rising by 70%, Talha Anjum has once again secured his place as the platform’s Top Pakistani Artist for the second consecutive year, revealing a pattern where homegrown talent dominated listener habits.
Anjum leads a lineup of an intergenerational mix of artists resonating across the country. Umair and Hasan Raheem follow closely, while long-celebrated icons Atif Aslam and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan continue to hold their ground among younger, digital-native listeners. Rising favourites such as Maanu, Bayaan, Afusic, AliSoomroMusic and Annural Khalid further signal a scene where newer voices are not just emerging, but thriving.
This shift is equally evident in the year’s top songs. Jhol by Maanu and Annural Khalid maintains its position as Pakistan’s most-streamed track, while Afusic and AliSoomroMusic’s Pal Pal and Bayaan, Hasan Raheem and Rovalio’s Maand follow. Tracks like Departure Lane by Talha Anjum and Umair, and Wishes by Hasan Raheem, Umair and Talwiinder round off a list defined by younger artists capturing the country’s evolving sound.
The momentum carries into album listening as well, where Bayaan’s Safar takes the lead as the most-streamed Pakistani album of 2025. Talha Anjum and Umair’s collaborations — My Terrible Mind and Open Letter — appear prominently alongside Umair’s solo project ROCKSTAR WITHOUT A GUITAR. Fans also revisited modern staples such as Imran Khan’s Unforgettable and Kaavish’s Gunkali, while embracing newer additions like Hasan Raheem’s Dil Kay Parday and Maanu’s thikaana, reflecting a year balanced between nostalgia and novelty. Hip-hop, in particular, surged in popularity, growing 35% this year, a trend made unmistakable by how strongly it features across all lists.
Spotify users in Pakistan can now explore the full 2025 Wrapped hub through the Spotify app, where the complete top lists, brand highlights, and creator moments are available.
Top Pakistani Artists of 2025
Talha Anjum
Umair
Hasan Raheem
Atif Aslam
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Maanu
Bayaan
Afusic
AliSoomroMusic
Annural Khalid
Top Pakistani Songs of 2025
“Jhol” — Maanu, Annural Khalid
“Pal Pal” — Afusic, AliSoomroMusic
“Maand” — Bayaan, Hasan Raheem, Rovalio
“Departure Lane” — Talha Anjum, Umair
“Wishes” — Hasan Raheem, Umair, Talwiinder
“Pal Pal (with Talwiinder)” — Afusic, AliSoomroMusic
“Heer” — Ali & Shjr, Haider Ali
“Nahin Milta” — Bayaan
“Bikhra” — Abdul Hannan, Rovalio
“OBVIOUS (feat. Hasan Raheem)” — Umair
Top Pakistani Albums of 2025
Safar — Bayaan
My Terrible Mind — Talha Anjum, Umair
ROCKSTAR WITHOUT A GUITAR — Umair
Open Letter — Talha Anjum, Umair
Unforgettable — Imran Khan
Gunkali (Original Score) — Kaavish
Dil Kay Parday — Hasan Raheem
Bol (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) — Atif Aslam, Sajjad Ali
thikaana — Maanu
Superstar — Bilal Saeed
