ALI SHAH DROPS NEW SINGLE “LEAD BY EXAMPLE”
ALI SHAH DROPS NEW SINGLE “LEAD BY EXAMPLE” - LISTEN HERE
The Track Serves as the Lead Single for His Upcoming Project Boy Blues, Set to Release Later This Year
Los Angeles, CA (– Today, rising Queer South-Asian pop artist Ali Shah unleashes “LEAD BY EXAMPLE,” the lead single from his sophomore project Boy Blues, set to release later this Summer on July 25. Co-written by Liam Benayon (Megan Thee Stallion, Paris Hilton, ADÉLA, Snow Wife), and produced by Ming, the track is a sexually-charged, in-your-face pop song that serves the contrarian release to his introspective single “Wish You Would Die,” which earned Shah recgnition from The Hollywood Rebound, heralding him as “the rising gay, brown pop star of today.” Listen to “LEAD BY EXAMPLE” early at the link HERE.
“This song feels like kicking every door down in the hottest way possible. It’s me in my most comfortable energy. It represents an important pillar of my upcoming project “Boy Blues”, which is undeniable sexuality,” Shah shares.
The accompanying music video translates the track’s bold, sexually-charged energy into a cinematic world of boxing and unspoken queer tension. Set against the backdrop of a gritty gym, the visual leans into power dynamics and desire, capturing the push and pull between strength, vulnerability, and attraction.
Raised in a creative household by his father, singer Zubin Shah, and his mother, the popular Pakistani actress Nargis, Ali has been surrounded by music all his life. His honest storytelling and unique point of view set him apart from other pop artists, deliberately avoiding the polished facade often associated with mainstream pop. Ali describes his music as an autobiographical diary, a snapshot of each era of his life, told through shimmery synth-pop textures, dreamy vocals, and nostalgic 80s pop influences.
Shah’s upcoming project, Boy Blues, is the next evolution of the Ali Shah universe. His last EP, The Talking Stage, explored infatuation, romantic confusion, and longing through the lens of someone entering love. Now, Boy Blues dives into the complexity that comes afterward, the intensity of desire, the emotional whiplash of modern queer relationships, and the push-pull of vulnerability and control. The project reflects a wider emotional range, showing Shah experimenting more boldly with tone, production, and perspective.
Throughout Pride Month, Shah has garnered multiple industry accolades with his single “Girl” included on The Recording Academy’s 2025 Pride Playlist and his recognition as one of INTO’s 25 under 25 honorees as an intersectional trailblazer in pop music, demonstrating the early signs of an artist on the rise. “LEAD BY EXAMPLE” also received a co-sign from dark-pop artist Ashley Sienna (“What You Need,” Pretty In The Dark”), who supported the song in a recent video posted on her TikTok.
About Ali Shah:
Ali Shah is a rising independent synth-pop artist from Toronto, Canada, recognized as one of this year's INTO 25 under 25 honorees. Raised in a creative household by his father, singer Zubin Shah, and his mother, Pakistani actress Nargis, Ali has been surrounded by music all his life. His honest storytelling and unique point of view set him apart from other pop artists, deliberately avoiding the polished facade often associated with mainstream pop. Ali describes his music as an autobiographical diary, a snapshot of each era of his life, told through shimmery synth-pop textures, dreamy vocals, and nostalgic 80s pop influences. Beyond the music, Ali is an advocate for greater representation in pop, using his voice to spotlight perspectives that often go unheard in the genre. He hopes to inspire others to embrace their identities and share their stories through music.
Keep Up With Ali Shah:
INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | X | YOUTUBE
Photo Credit: Felipe Ramirez
