Arooj Aftab, a talented siner from Pakistan, made an amazing debut on U.S. television with a performance of her song "Raat Ki Rani" from her latest album 'Night Reign'. The song touched the hearts of people from all over the world, showing that music can cross language barriers.
Arooj's album 'Night Reign', released in May, earned her two Grammy nominations: Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Global Music Performance. On Instagram, she celebrated her success, saying, "This is the fourth consecutive year my music has been recognized with Grammy nominations. It’s amazing to be a part of this," and she thanked the other artists who worked with her.
In 2022, Arooj made history by becoming the first Pakistani singer to win a Grammy. She won the Best Global Music Performance award for her song "Mohabbat."
In an interview, Arooj shared that when she started, people told her that "no one’s going to care about your little beautiful songs." She was proud of how far she has come, especially with the success of 'Night Reign'. She mentioned that even though her music is emotional and complex, the music industry and institutions like the Grammys didn't always appreciate her work.
Aftab's Grammy win inspired many people in Pakistan and South Asia, showing them that big dreams are possible. She also made history in 2022 by becoming the first Pakistani artist to perform at the Grammy Awards, where she sang "Udhero Na" with Anoushka Shankar.
In addition to her Grammy wins, Arooj was honored with the Pride of Performance award in Washington, D.C. on August 14 last year.
