Urvah Khan (she/her) is a Canadian-Pakistani musician, trailblazer, and cultural provocateur redefining the boundaries of art, identity, and activism.
Based in Toronto, Khan fuses her South Asian heritage with a fearless punk ethos to create 'Scrap' —a genre forged from the rubble of traditional rock and roll.
With six albums released and a seventh in the works, her music isn’t just sound—it’s a movement, a manifesto, and a call to action.
Born in Karachi, raised in Abu Dhabi, and shaped as a teenage runaway on the streets of Malvern in Toronto’s east end, Khan’s story is one of survival, reinvention, and grit. Each chapter gave her a new language—for struggle, for strength, for sound.
From navigating displacement to finding belonging in underground scenes, she has spent her life and career challenging conventions, amplifying the unheard, and dismantling the stereotypes that tried to define her.
Reconciling her Muslim roots with a Western creative spirit, Khan walks the line between worlds—honoring where she comes from while carving new paths forward. Her journey is one of deep questioning, constant learning, and bold self-expression.
Along the way, she’s become a scene builder, a cultural bridge, and a quiet force of resilience for those navigating layered identities, faith, and art in a world that rarely makes space for all three.
Whether offering the Azaan (Islamic call to prayer) as one of the few women in the world to do so publicly, Khan challenges deeply rooted religious and cultural norms. Traditionally, the muezzin has been a male role, and a woman stepping into this space often faces controversy and backlash. For Khan, being a female muezzin is both an act of faith and defiance—a way to reclaim spiritual authority and expand what tradition can hold. Her call to prayer is a call for inclusion, justice, and transformation that echoes beyond the mosque.
As the curator of ScrapFest and Muslim Pride, Khan has created transformative spaces for marginalized communities. Launched in 2019, ScrapFest is more than a music festival—it’s a revolutionary platform that amplifies trans and underground voices through music, drag, dance, spoken word, and more.
Despite being banned twice in Pakistan by authorities citing misinformation and societal resistance, ScrapFest persists—going underground and digital to keep the fire alive. These acts of defiance speak volumes about Khan’s unwavering dedication and the urgent need for safe, empowering spaces where inclusivity is under threat.
Muslim Pride Toronto, founded in 2020, bridges another critical gap—celebrating queer and trans Muslim experiences. This initiative collaborates with community organizations to dismantle Islamophobia within queer spaces while creating events that uplift the voices of 2SLGBTQ+ Muslims.
In June 2025, Urvah Khan is leading Muslim Pride’s U.S debut, launching with a kickoff at the historic Stonewall Inn and a main event at The LGBT Center in Manhattan—honouring the legacy of queer resistance while writing new history.
Whether opening for rock icon Bif Naked, who called her “the most important artist of our time,” or being hailed as a feminist force forging a new music world, Khan consistently redefines what it means to be a global artist.
Urvah Khan’s journey is one of bold creativity and deep commitment.
From the underground music scenes of Pakistan to the cultural hubs of Canada and New York, she’s not just a musician—she’s a movement.
A movement for inclusivity.
A movement for empowerment.
A movement for those building a better world
—out of the scraps.