Pak singer Daniya Kanwal lights up New York's Times Square

Pakistani rapper, dancer and choreographer Daniya Kanwal was featured on a Times Square billboard in New York, marking another milestone in her growing music career. Kanwal, who was named the EQUAL Pakistan Ambassador for the third quarter of 2026 by Spotify, has emerged as one of the newer voices in Pakistan's hip hop scene, combining rap with South Asian influences and lyrics centred on identity, womanhood and the experiences of young women. Her featured track, Mic Check, is part of her debut seven-track album Kanwal, released earlier this year. According to Spotify data, her listeners and streams have increased by more than 3,470 per cent and 6,920 per cent respectively over the past year. Before turning to music, Kanwal made her mark as a hip hop dancer and breaker under the name B-Girl Destiny. In 2022, she became Pakistan's first female national champion at the inaugural international breaking championship held in the country. Earlier this year, she also featured on the HBL PSL 11 anthem Khelenge Beat Pe alongside Atif Aslam, the Sabri Sisters and Aima Baig. She was also among the song's lyricists. The track is currently her most-streamed song, followed by Bin Ranjha, Jihadi Aurat and Meri Jaan. Kanwal's music has also found an audience outside Pakistan. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries where her songs are being streamed, while around 70 per cent of her listeners are aged between 18 and 34. Speaking about the recognition, Kanwal said she was drawn to EQUAL because it created space for women to discuss subjects that are often avoided. "I love what EQUAL represents because it feels like a girls' night where every conversation is allowed, from freedom and our bodies to shame, desire, ambition and everything we're usually told not to talk about," she said. She added that women should not have to choose between being "soft or powerful, vulnerable or angry, feminine or unapologetic". Daniya Kanwal's artistry is rooted in cyphers, movement and lived experience. With a foundation in hip-hop dance, she has developed a style that is raw, fearless and unapologetically authentic. Although she has been releasing her own music for just over a year, Daniya had already established herself as a performer through music videos and live stage performances. One of her early appearances was in Owais Wahab's 2020 music video 'Adhoora'. In 2025, she gained widespread recognition as a contestant on 'Tamasha Season 4', marking her first major breakthrough in the public eye. Later that year, she made a powerful impact on the music scene with her breakout single, 'Jihadi Aurat'. Known for seamlessly blending rap with choreography and dynamic stage performance, Daniya views hip-hop as a way of life rooted in authenticity. Her writing is sharp, witty and socially observant, often challenging conventions and confronting uncomfortable realities. Bold, provocative and uncompromising, she brings that same energy to her music, performances and storytelling. She is also known as an influencer, content creator, choreographer, and actress. She has a presence on various social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, where she shares content related to hip hop, body movement, travel, lifestyle, and music. As an actress, Daniya Kanwal is recognized for her roles in short films such as Huqooq Ul Ibad (2021) and Apartment 51 (2021). She also engages in narration and storytelling, notably bringing collections like Legends of Love to life with her narration that weaves emotion and history. Her music combines hip hop with South Asian influences while exploring subjects including identity, womanhood and the experiences of young women in society. Her track "Mic Check", from her seven-track debut album Kanwal, is among the releases that have contributed to her growing profile. Her career began in hip hop dance before she moved further into music. Performing as B-Girl Destiny, she became Pakistan's first female national champion at the country's inaugural international breaking championship in 2022. She also featured on the HBL PSL 11 anthem "Khelenge Beat Pe" alongside Atif Aslam, the Sabri Sisters and Aima Baig, and was among the song's lyricists. The track has become her most-streamed song, followed by "Bin Ranjha", "Jihadi Aurat" and "Meri Jaan". A significant portion of Kanwal's Spotify audience is between the ages of 18 and 34, while her music has also attracted listeners outside Pakistan. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries where she has recorded substantial streams.