asan Raheem became the breakout artist of the year when he released ‘Aisay Kaisay’ about two years ago. Every single he has released since then, and every collaboration he’s become part of, has helped to cement his position in the industry as one of the most exciting artists to follow.

When he appeared on the biggest music platform in the industry - Coke Studio 14 - with ‘Peechay Hutt’ in collaboration with Talal Qureshi and Justin Bibis, he crossed the rubicon and is now headlining concerts when not releasing music.

But how much do we know about Hasan Raheem beyond his music? He is one of the most collaborative artists in the music scene, having worked with Talal Qureshi (before ‘Peechay Hutt’), Karakoram, Natasha Noorani, Abdullah Kasumbi, Rovalio among others.

With his meteoric rise, it is therefore not completely surprising that Spotify, the music streaming app with billions of songs, has launched an initiative called RADAR Pakistan with Hasan Raheem as the first artist to be featured.

As part of RADAR, Spotify has also released a mini-documentary where we get to see a different side of the artist.

Offering an insight into the life of Hasan Raheem, the mini-doc is easily watchable because it is just over 6 minutes long. Begins Hasan in the mini-doc, “This is a closer look into my life. About how I started my musical journey, about my friends, about the people I work with and especially my main support, that’s my family.”

We find him in Karachi where he is happy with a setlist of songs he thinks should be on his album while noting how he has been releasing music consistently. Not one to take sole credit, he also introduces us to the people with whom he has worked consistently including Abdullah Kasumbi, Arham Ikram and certain others with whom he shares a close bond with musically and as friends. He takes us on a trip that tells us how he wrote songs in college and how going back to the same place is a nostalgic trip. In the mini-doc, there is a tour of his native home, precious conversations with family and friends including a special talk with his mother.

Available on YouTube, the mini-doc has interspersed shots of concerts with screaming fans to a time when Hasan was beginning his musical journey. Through this doc, we learn how he credits his family ties as a strong bond and presence in his life.

It makes sense that Spotify launched this platform with Hasan since a number of his songs are among the most streamed tunes on the app. Among them is ‘Joona’, the breakthrough song ‘Aisay Kaisay’ and ‘Aarzu’. Hasan is relaxed and himself in the doc and it’s interesting to see him uncut, being himself beyond the musical success he is today.

Hasan Raheem, while speaking about being featured on RADAR, said in a statement, “It all started with me posting a song almost three years ago on Spotify and here we are! I’m truly blessed and honored to be the first RADAR artist of Pakistan. I’m excited to see how Pakistani music will evolve with programs like RADAR and how it will elevate more artists from our country. Thank you to everyone who’s been a part of this journey, you know that I truly love you all!”

According to a statement about Hasan being the first featured artist on Spotify’s RADAR program, it was stated, “Hasan will receive on-and-off-platform marketing and promotional support, including billboard placements across Pakistan and the inclusion of his track, ‘Joona’ on the RADAR Pakistan playlist. In addition, Spotify will also be supporting his debut album launch later this year.”

Khan FM – who is Spotify’s Artist & Label Partnerships Manager for Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh - also noted in a statement, “We are thrilled to have Hasan Raheem as our first RADAR artist for Pakistan. He continues to be an inspiration for up-and-coming talents, and Spotify RADAR gives the opportunity to artists like Hasan to find and connect with a newer and wider audience, globally.”