Kaifi Khalil topping local charts on Spotify.

Whether you are an avid music listener or not, chances are that you’ve come across “Kana Yaari” or “Kahani Suno 2.0” playing behind a short video or on a friend’s Spotify playlist! In fact, “Kahani Suno 2.0”, has continuously been ranking at No. 1 and 2 on Spotify’s weekly charts with its total streams now past 19 million and counting. 

In addition, the soulful original-sound-track (OST), Mujhay Pyaar Hua Tha, Kaifi’s recreation of “Kahani Suno 2.0” , has ranked at the top of Spotify’s Daily Viral Songs. This comes only seven days after the track made its debut on Charts. As an artist, Kaifi Khalil himself has witnessed a 97% increase in streams on Spotify just over the past month. His popularity has sky-rocketed making him increasingly popular with listeners of every age and country.

With his top countries on Spotify being India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UK, the USA and Canada, Kaifi Khalil, the emerging artist from Karachi’s Lyari neighborhood, has become a global sensation, thanks in part to his amplified reach through Spotify. He is a prime example of how the streaming service has allowed the young boy from Karachi to let his voice be heard in all corners of the globe.

Kaifi’s vocal magic has been soulful, groove-worthy and feet-tapping with every other track. When “Kana Yaari” first dropped, it was a fusion that was unlike any other that audiences had enjoyed. It came as no surprise then that the track shattered records, topping chart after chart on Spotify, even ranking among the top 5 in Wrapped this year.

Kaifi has become the latest awe-inspiring musician to conquer people’s hearts the world over. For the talented youngster, it is a time when anything he touches turns to gold. And it’s not just Pakistan, the song is trending in neighboring country India and hit the top spot in Bangladesh too this week.

Kaifi Khalil is one of many emerging artists to have joined the Spotify for Artists program, a creatively curated platform that enables musicians to have better access to insights of their releases. The offering facilitates both the artists and their tracks to reach wider audiences spread all over the globe. 

The success that artists like Kaifi Khalil are experiencing today has a lot to do with Spotify. The music streaming service has broadened the horizons for local artists, be it through Charts, Fresh Finds, RADAR or EQUAL Pakistan. Spotify is a platform that is catapulting Pakistani artists to new heights of glory allowing them to realize their true potential. It is a game changer for the country and its musical landscape with equally potent benefits for both artists as well as audiences.

Tim Hortons celebrates the country’s extraordinary achievements over the 50 years

Since the opening of its first branch in Dubai in 2011, Tim Hortons shared the UAE’s past as well as its future and was part of the Emirati society which it considered as home in all the sense of the word, with its 77 outlets spanning over Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain.

More than 50 years ago, the F&B concept opened its doors in Hamilton, Canada on May 17 and the only thing available on the menu back then was coffee and donuts.

Fast forward to 2011, the iconic retail group “Apparel” has introduced the iconic Canadian Tim Hortons brand to the Middle East, opening its first location in Dubai. The brand was received with unprecedented excitement from both locals and expats due to its renowned history, quality of food, and its popularity as the largest coffee chain with more than 4000 locations in Canada.

The chain quickly became known in UAE for its freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked food, as its tagline “Always Fresh, Always Delicious” continually delivered this promise. In the years to follow, Tim Hortons expanded across the UAE where it became the cafe of choice for all. The UAE has an environment that welcomes innovation.

Tim Hortons strongly believes in delivering superior quality products and services for its customers and communities through leadership, innovation and partnerships.

The UAE constituted an attractive environment for Tim Hortons that provides a developed infrastructure and business incentives that helped the chain to thrive and expand across the country and worldwide.

The inspirational vision behind the country’s leadership has created a prospering atmosphere for entrepreneurs and like-minded businesspeople to continue to establish their investments in the UAE.

Recently with UAE’s National Day celebrations and achievement commemorations, plans were also being set into action for the next 50 years. As the UAE continues to grow and thrive, Tim Hortons will continue to grow with it, while always promising unparalleled moments of delight for its visitors.

Hesham Almekkawi, CEO of Tim Hortons Middle East, stated that, “the business environment in the UAE has strongly contributed to attracting many regional and global companies. The Emirates is considered as the ideal location for them due to its achievements in developing a suitable business model for entrepreneurship and talents through the continuous efforts and support of its government.”

Almekkawi added that, “with the exceptional achievements of the UAE, we are honored and thrilled to be a part of this remarkable journey. And with the immense success the brand has experienced here, we are ready to push it to the next level and prosper with the visionary plans the UAE has set for the coming 50 years.”

Mr. Hesham Almekkawi, CEO of Tim Hortons Middle East.

What gives Tim Hortons such a relevant place in the hearts of all its UAE customers is the fact that its concept stores cater to all segments of the community. From the drive-thrus and main street outlets to its branches in malls, community compounds, petrol stations, universities, and hospitals, the brand is present wherever you may need it, with plans to further expand throughout the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain; and soon in Kuwait, Egypt and India.

Tim Hortons Stores