As I listen to Eva B, Pakistan’s first niqabi rap star, I see her challenging everything we think we know about women who wear the niqab. When I watch her perform, I see a redefinition of empowerment for countless women who live in worlds quick to label them, whether by appearance, clothing, or tradition.
I find it so compelling that, in Eva B’s hands, the niqab becomes a choice, a form of agency--not something imposed or oppressive. When she raps, she controls her narrative, almost daring us to see beyond the stereotype of the 'silent and hidden' woman.
I realize that her niqab doesn’t diminish her; instead, it becomes her brand, her way of keeping the focus on her words rather than her face. I think this flips the entire music industry’s obsession with image. There’s something about her anonymity that amplifies her voice, making it clear that identity doesn’t need to be fully unveiled to make an impact. For me, the fact that she chooses the niqab and thrives as a rapper suggests a different kind of power—a choice that says freedom can be redefined, even within the bounds of tradition.
I think Eva B is doing something revolutionary: dismantling the rigid binaries we often hear about—conservative versus progressive, traditional versus modern. And I see her as a response to a world where freedom is often equated with a Westernized version of self-expression. Her niqab is her space, her way of existing boldly without the pressure of exposure. I think that’s an incredibly powerful message, especially for young women.
With Eva B, I see a shift happening in Pakistan’s media landscape, a space where a niqabi rapper can thrive. She’s setting a precedent that talent, not image, should dictate success. I feel her words challenging my own assumptions, making me rethink how I define strength, visibility, and identity. In her choice of attire, I see a reminder that modesty doesn’t mean silence—it can mean being heard in new ways, powerful ways, impactful ways. I think I understand more clearly that identity isn’t skin-deep. It’s unapologetically choosing paths that are entirely their own, proving that empowerment can wear any form it chooses.
Your take on Eva B’s impact as Pakistan’s first niqabi pop star gave me a refreshing perspective on empowerment through self-expression within cultural and religious bounds. Having never listened to any of her music, your blog made me play one of her songs. I wonder why she didn’t get popular overnight (much like Young Stunners) since her songs are fun. Could it be due to our population’s idea that rapping is for men only?
Your blog rightly points at Eva B’s use of her niqab as her own choice, and challenges the widespread idea that women with veils are oppressed, they lack agency or they are submissive. By emphasizing Eva B’s decision to control her narrative and redefine her identity…
Listening to Eva B, Pakistan’s first niqabi rap star, resonates deeply with me—not just because of her groundbreaking message, but because she’s from Lyari, my own hometown. Seeing someone from such a marginalised area defy the odds adds a personal layer to the power of her work. It’s more than music; it’s a redefinition of empowerment for countless women who live in worlds quick to label them based on appearance, clothing, or tradition.
In Eva B’s hands, the niqab becomes a choice, a form of agency—not something imposed or oppressive. When she raps, she owns her narrative, challenging us to see beyond the stereotype of the “silent and hidden” woman. Her niqab doesn’t diminish her; it becomes her brand, redirecting…
I think this analysis is great and how you have highlighted various aspects through this analysis on teh first female rapper of Pakistan. Eva B’s journey reveals that empowerment doesn’t require a single, universally accepted form—it can emerge uniquely, even within traditional boundaries.
Her journey also provides a lens that how her niqab is her agency not a limitation to sit in the house and delve into typical sterotypical norms. Rather, she defies and challenges the conventional and traditional sterotypical norms and come outside to follow her passions with her own principles.
This leads to a refreshing perspective on identity, enforcing that self-worth and strength can take many forms. Eva B’s story is a beautiful reminder that authentic self-empowerment means…
I think you've chosen a really great topic to talk about. In my opinion, Eva B is one of, if not the most, groundbreaking artists in the Pakistani music scene to date. Asides from her great music, her presence and presentation itself is groundbreaking as we've never seen someone like her (at her scale of popularity) in the Pakistani rap scene before. Her success in the Pakistani music scene shatters many barriers for women to enter the rap scene, which is dominated by men. Moreover, your point about her niqab becoming her strength instead of her weakness was also well-articulated as this opens the door to more female artists who might want to keep themselves anonymous or also wear the…
I think you have offered a variety of great insights about how Eva B’s social media presence transforms the perception of “Niqab”. Within this process though, there are multiple aspects that we can analyze about this realization.
The first question that comes to my mind is, what is the source of portrayal when it comes to niqab being oppressive or imposed? Given Pakistan’s obsession with Religion anyways, I would assume that in our context, it would be interpreted differently. A partial explanation for this can be the influence of Western Media. You mentioned how “freedom is often equated with a westernized version of self-expression”. Linking my idea to this vividly explains how we are subject to influence of the West…