ahore has a way of finding some of the best artists. Its old walls hold onto memories the same way music carries an echo. For Murtaza Qizilbash, that heritage has now found recognition on a global platform, with the musician named Spotify’s RADAR Pakistan artist for the second quarter of 2026, joining a steadily expanding list of local voices being amplified through the platform’s international emerging artist initiative.

If you are unfamiliar with RADAR, it is Spotify’s way of championing up-and-coming talent worldwide. In Pakistan, it has previously featured artists such as Hasan Raheem, Mannu, Shae Gill and Samar Jafri.

There is something unmistakably grounded about Qizilbash’s sound. He weaves modern production together with the poetic flow of Urdu lyrics, making his music feel like a piece of Lahore itself. That mix of intimacy and contemporary production is clearly resonating with listeners.

According to Spotify, his streams have climbed by 160 percent since early April, with songs such as ‘Hum’ and ‘Bhool’ gaining traction on the platform.

His latest collaboration with Samar Jafri, ‘Har Baar’, is currently holding the number 3 spot on Spotify Pakistan’s Top 50 chart, while his music has travelled far beyond local borders, finding listeners in Bangladesh, the United States and the United Kingdom.

It is the kind of reach that would have seemed impossible for many independent Pakistani artists not too long ago, but today, it feels like a whole new world of possibility.

As part of the RADAR campaign, Spotify has also released a mini-docuseries that looks closely at Qizilbash’s relationship with Lahore, particularly the impact of his ancestral home, Mubarak Haveli, on his creative identity.

His latest collaboration with Samar Jafri, ‘Har Baar’, is currently holding the number 3 spot on Spotify Pakistan’s Top 50 chart, while his music has travelled far beyond local borders, finding listeners in Bangladesh, the United States and the United Kingdom. It is the kind of reach that would have seemed impossible for many independent Pakistani artists not too long ago, but today, it feels like a whole new world of possibility.

Qizilbash called the selection a “major milestone” in his artistic journey and said that “bringing these stories to life through the program has been an incredibly special experience.”

Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships Manager for Pakistan and the UAE, Rutaba Yaqub, said, “Qizilbash’s ability to combine poetry, cultural influences and contemporary storytelling makes him one of the most exciting emerging voices in Pakistan today.”

That more than half of his audience falls within the 18–24 age bracket is perhaps telling. Younger listeners are not simply hitting play; they are searching for something they can relate to.

Qizilbash’s appearance on editorial playlists such as Hot Hits Pakistan and Pakka Hit Hai, alongside thousands of user-generated lists, suggests his music is building that exact kind of connection.

As streaming changes how we discover music, platforms like RADAR are turning into much more than just promotional tools.

They are proof of a shifting landscape. It is a new world where independent artists can share intimate, local stories and reach a global audience, all without losing the essence of where they came from. For Qizilbash, Lahore stays right at the heart of his story, even as the whole world starts to tune in.

– Maheen Sabeeh