KARACHI, September 29, 2026: Karachi-born rapper, dancer and choreographer Daniya Kanwal has been featured on Spotify’s iconic Times Square billboard in New York City after being named the platform’s EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador for the third quarter of 2026.
Kanwal appeared on the Times Square billboard on September 26 as part of Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan initiative, which highlights women artists and helps connect emerging Pakistani musicians with audiences in the country and around the world.
Her featured EQUAL track, “Mic Check,” is part of her debut seven-track album Kanwal, released earlier this year. According to Spotify, her audience has grown sharply over the past year, with her listeners increasing by more than 3,470% and streams rising by over 6,920%.
Kanwal’s music blends hip hop with South Asian influences and explores themes including identity, womanhood and the experiences of young women navigating society.
Before pursuing music, Kanwal established herself in hip hop dance and breaking under the name B-Girl Destiny. In 2022, she became Pakistan’s first female national champion at the country’s inaugural international breaking championship.
Earlier this year, she also appeared on the HBL PSL 11 anthem “Khelenge Beat Pe” alongside Atif Aslam, the Sabri Sisters and Aima Baig, and contributed to the song as a lyricist.
The track is currently her most-streamed song on Spotify, followed by “Bin Ranjha,” “Jihadi Aurat” and “Meri Jaan.”
Spotify said 70% of Kanwal’s listeners are between the ages of 18 and 34. Her music is being streamed in several international markets, with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United Arab Emirates among her top listener countries.
Speaking about her selection as Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador, Kanwal said the initiative represented a space where women could openly express different aspects of their experiences and identities.
“I love what EQUAL represents because it feels like a girls’ night where every conversation is allowed,” she said, adding that women should not have to choose between being “soft or powerful” or “vulnerable or angry.”
Rutaba Yaqub, Artist & Label Partnerships Manager at Spotify for Pakistan and UAE, said Kanwal brought a distinctive energy to Pakistan’s hip hop scene.
Yaqub said Kanwal’s ability to draw from her experiences and South Asian identity while exploring new forms of hip hop made her an exciting emerging artist.
Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan initiative has been highlighting established and emerging women artists from Pakistan for more than four years, helping them reach listeners locally and internationally.
Listeners can discover music from Pakistani women artists through Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan playlist.