Sabri Sisters featured on Times Square billboard after being named Spotify EQUAL Pakistan ambassadors

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The Sabri Sisters, duo Sanam and Anamta Sabri, were featured on Spotify’s billboard in New York’s Times Square on June 17, following their selection as Spotify EQUAL Pakistan Ambassadors for Q2 2026 earlier this year. The feature places the artists among a global roster of women musicians highlighted through Spotify’s EQUAL programme.

The display in Times Square marks a major international visibility milestone for the Pakistani duo, who are being promoted by Spotify as part of its initiative to amplify women artists worldwide. According to the platform, the EQUAL programme highlights selected artists each quarter across global promotional channels, including high-traffic digital billboards.

The Sabri Sisters, Sanam and Anamta Sabri, belong to a family with a well-known qawwali heritage. They are nieces of the late Amjad Sabri and descendants of the Sabri Brothers, whose work significantly shaped South Asian qawwali music traditions.

The duo first gained public attention in 2017 when they released a Persian-Punjabi manqabat dedicated to their late uncle on his first death anniversary. Since then, they have expanded their presence in Pakistan’s contemporary and fusion music scene.

Their portfolio includes collaborations and releases such as the soundtrack “Meri Zindagi Hai Tu,” recorded with Asim Azhar, and the track “Maghron La,” which gained significant online traction. Their song “Meri Zindagi Hai Tu” has remained on Spotify’s “Top 50 – Pakistan” chart for more than 30 weeks, according to platform data, and has also appeared on curated playlists including “EQUAL,” “Pakka Hit Hai,” and “Hot Hits Pakistan.”

Spotify data also indicates that the duo has developed an international listener base, with audiences in the United States, United Kingdom, and Bangladesh among their strongest overseas markets. The platform further notes that a significant portion of their audience falls within the 18–24 age group, reflecting growing youth engagement with Sufi and qawwali-inspired music.

Speaking about the recognition, the Sabri Sisters said inclusion in the EQUAL programme represents a significant milestone for Pakistani women artists and highlights global recognition of their musical journey. They also referenced earlier Pakistani representatives in the programme, including Abida Parveen and Sanam Marvi.

Rutaba Yaqub, Artists & Label Partnerships Manager at Spotify for Pakistan and the UAE, said the EQUAL initiative focuses on showcasing the diversity of Pakistan’s music scene. She added that the Sabri Sisters represent a growing presence of women in a traditionally male-dominated qawwali space while contributing to the evolution of the genre.

Spotify’s EQUAL programme continues to spotlight women artists from around the world through curated playlists, editorial features, and global billboards, aiming to increase visibility and reach for emerging and established musicians.

Also Read: Heartbreak music streams surge in Pakistan on Valentine’s Day, men lead listening: Spotify data

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