Neha Karim Ullah

you and me

Neha Karim Ullah is a musician and a model. Though professionally, she has been into music for one and a half years. She has been interested in music since she was a kid. “I used to host mini concerts for my stuffed toys and make up songs in my room. I dropped my first original during COVID and over the years I’ve released music on and off,” says Naha. “My friend Shahrukh Safraz, pushed me to pursue music seriously. He really helped me overcome my fear of being seen and heard,” she adds.

As a fashion model, Neha is always busy with brand campaigns and as a musician, she is pre-occupied with partnering with brands for videos and campaigns. According to her, 2026 will bring great music. In a candid interview, Neha, who is also the Ambassador of the Quarter for EQUAL Pakistan, shares her likes and dislikes with our readers. Read on…

What is your specialised field of singing?

My sound lives in the indie dance-pop space. I focus on warm, expressive vocals layered over beats that feel cinematic, youthful and full of motion.

What is your most memorable concert to date?

Tiny Desk Pakistan launch party. It was my first time performing in front of a large crowd.

How does it feel to be the Ambassador of the Quarter for Spotify’s EQUAL Pakistan program?

It feels surreal and I am honoured. It feels like a celebration of my journey - from writing songs in my room to seeing my face on the EQUAL New York Times Square billboard and other platforms. More than anything, it motivates me to keep creating, keep showing up and keep inspiring other girls to take space, own their art and dream without limits.

How important do you think such initiatives are for women artists of our country?

Initiatives like Spotify EQUAL are incredibly important for female artists in Pakistan. For decades, our industry has been heavily male-dominated and women have had to fight twice as hard just to be heard, seen or taken seriously. Having a platform that not only acknowledges that struggle but actively amplifies our voices is game-changing. It creates space, visibility and opportunities that many of us never had access to before. It reminds girls that their stories matter, their voices matter and there is a place for them in the new music wave.

Tell us about your song that is being featured on the EQUAL Pakistan playlist.

‘Aao Toh Zara’ is a new-gen indie dance-pop track about love, connection and that magnetic pull between two people. It’s playful, modern and rebellious in its essence - the kind of song that makes you want to dance while also relating to it.

Have you released any music albums so far?

I’ve released 8 Singles so far and I’m releasing a lot more singles in 2026. I really hope to start working on an album soon as well.

Top 3 songs in your playlist?

‘Aarzu’ by Shahrukh Sarfraz, ‘Safar’ by Bayaan, and ‘Viscus’ by Oklou & FKA Twigs.

Your favourite international music celebrity?

Lalisa Manobal from Blackpink.

Who is your icon in the music industry?

Steven Tyler.

What was the role of music in your formative years?

Music has always been my therapy, before I even had the words for it.

Who was your favourite pop star when you were growing up?

Taylor Swift.

You don’t like people who are…

I don’t like two-faced people.

You are afraid of…

Never reaching my fullest potential.

Your most valuable possessions?

A gold ring with a turquoise stone, a gift from my mom and a sterling silver ring with a sapphire stone gifted to me by my partner.

Your all-time favourite movie?

‘The Little Prince’.

How do you like to spend your Sundays?

Honestly with my current routine, I’m not sure I have Sundays.

What bores you the most?

Small talk.

You are crazy about…

Food and travel.

What is your favourite tune nowadays?

‘Fame is a Gun’ by Addison Rae

If you could have a musician tag along with you on tour, whom would you choose?

Chappel Roan, she’s so talented and I love her music.

Your favourite hangout?

Coffee and board games.

If you had access to a time machine, which era would you revisit?

Definitely the ’80s, the music culture during the ’80s was insanely monumental.

Do you agree that it is important to learn and understand old music and its history?

I think it’s incredibly important to learn and understand old music. There’s so much wisdom, emotion and craftsmanship in the music that came before us. But at the same time, I don’t believe in lingering too much in the past. We should let it inspire us, not confine us. True magic happens when we take those influences and transform them into something new - something that reflects our generation and our voice.

Songs that always get you on the dance floor?

‘Jealous Type’ by Doja Cat, ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ by Taylor Swift and ‘Aao Toh Zara’ by Shahrukh Sarfraz & Neha Karim Ullah.

What’s the last thing you bought?

Lip gloss and coffee.

What books are on your bedside table?

‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ by Lewis Carroll.

First thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Have a big mug of hot water, followed by homemade, non-diary herbal tea.

The most important relationship lesson you have learnt so far…

Respect, trust and compassion are the key foundations of any relationship.

You get super uncomfortable when…

Despite politely declining, people still insist that I do something. I struggle with saying no, so this situation becomes especially uncomfortable.

The biggest misconception about you is...

That I’m very social. On the contrary, I prefer my solitude most of the time.

Something very few people know about you…

I have a deep sense of wonder and whimsy. Even if my world were to collapse (God Forbid) and everything turned dark, I would still have faith that the best is yet to come and keep moving forward.

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

A global music icon.