Sonic Time Travel
A musicology thesis tracing Pakistani pop from the 1980s to the present, with a full-length concept album translating historical research into original production.
National College of Arts · Thesis defended 2025
LAHORE · PAKISTAN
Zaira Ali
Singer, songwriter
and producer.
Original music, collaborations and live performances.
Discography ↓VOCALIST · SONGWRITER · PRODUCER
NEW SINGLE · 2026
Intoxicated
Out now · Released 5 November 2026.
Composed and produced by Zaira AliLyrics by Muji Shah
Discography
Original songs, artist collaborations and commissioned work.
Live
Photos
Portraits and moments from the stage.
Timeline
Select a region for details, or press play to follow the timeline.
Research & teaching
Musicology, production and undergraduate teaching at NCA.
Retro Pop Reimagined
A semester of listening, composition and studio practice. Students explore Pakistani and international pop from the ’80s to the 2000s, then create an original track in response.
Music Composition · Undergraduate teaching
Production
THREE WORKS / PRODUCTION PORTFOLIO
About Zaira
Born into a non-musical family in Lahore, Pakistan, Zaira Ali began singing at age six. Her love of music led her to school performances and competitions, with her parents supporting her passion. Her father gave her a guitar when she was 12, and she began covering songs by other artists. At 16, she released her first original song and has continued releasing music since.
Zaira first produced music on her phone. She is both a vocalist and a music producer, and a musicology graduate of the National College of Arts. Trained in classical music, she brings classical and modern genres together in her work. She represented Spotify EQUAL Pakistan as an ambassador in 2024.
SPOTIFY EQUAL PAKISTANAmbassador · November 2024
Press & interviews
The NationReadThe News · You!ReadDaily TimesReadThe Express TribuneRead
From Tape To Timeline
A look at independent production in Pakistan, mentioning Zaira among a new generation of women producing music.
Zaira Ali
On songwriting, classical influences and her Spotify EQUAL Pakistan ambassadorship.
Nayi Awaaz winners felicitated
Coverage of Bajao’s music competition, where Zaira shared second place.
TikTok launches #TikTokGaGa
Zaira is included among the music creators featured in the campaign.