Tag: musicians

Spotify Ushers in a New Era of Moroccan Pop With 6 Artists Influencing the Scene

June 10, 2025

A new generation of artists is redefining Morocco’s pop music scene, blending their deep-rooted heritage with contemporary influences to create sounds that are both authentic and globally relevant. These are the voices of POPSTARS*, a fresh and energetic rebrand of Spotify’s Top Maghreb Pop playlist, designed to amplify Moroccan pop around the world.

This new campaign features exclusive interviews with six artists who are shaping Moroccan pop in strikingly different ways: Manal, Zouhair Bahaoui, Nouaman Belaiachi, DYSTINCT, Douaa Lahyaoui, and RYM. Hit play on the video below to hear from these rising stars:

“It was really important for us to connect with the pop audience and create a space where listeners from all over the world can experience the best of Moroccan pop,” said Mehdi Zim, Spotify’s Senior Editor for the Maghreb. “Our goal is to support today’s Moroccan pop artists and make sure the playlist keeps evolving—telling the story of a genre that’s growing, changing, and going global.”

Manal is known for her hyper-stylized visuals and feminist edge, weaving traditional motifs into futuristic soundscapes, while Zouhair Bahaoui and Nouaman Belaiachi each ground their sound in unmistakably Moroccan local textures. DYSTINCT, who grew up in Belgium, is making music in Darija (Moroccan Arabic), aiming to position Moroccan pop on the global stage alongside Afrobeats and Latin pop. Douaa Lahyaoui and RYM, meanwhile, are carving out new narratives—penning vulnerable lyrics, fusing genres, and giving voice to a new kind of Moroccan pop star.

Spotify Turns Up the Volume in Pakistan With Events and Music Campaigns

April 6, 2023

an artist performs on stage at a concert event

Two years ago, we introduced Spotify to listeners in Pakistan. Since the launch, we’ve worked with the country’s artists to expand their reach and share their music with new fans worldwide—and now we’re taking things to a new level.

March marked the first anniversary of our EQUAL women’s empowerment program in Pakistan, with singer Tina Sani as the Ambassador of the Month. RADAR, which highlights emerging artists from all around the world, also recently made its debut in Pakistan, featuring Taha G up first. He’s at the top of the RADAR Pakistan playlist, and Spotify worked with the singer to create a mini-documentary that spotlights his life and career.

In addition to bringing these programs to the region, we’re finding unique ways—from Masterclasses to cricket campaigns to local playlists—to connect with artists. 

Lending artists support with a Masterclass in Lahore

Our music industry experts were ready to share their knowledge during a Spotify for Artists Masterclass event in Lahore, PK. “We hosted at the historical Haveli Barood Khana mansion, and used this opportunity to educate and share information on music streaming trends and new product features with the burgeoning music industry in the region,” shared Khan FM, Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Renowned Coke Studio music producer, curator and artist Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan shared his perspective on the Pakistani music industry with an audience that included more than 150 artists and their teams.