Arooj Aftab

Arooj Aftab has been called “the coolest rock star in the world right now” by UNCUT Magazine, and has positioned herself at the forefront of creative and boundary-pushing music. With her fourth solo album Night Reign (Verve, 2024), she has once again captivated critics across the board, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Jazz Album. The single “Raat Ki Rani” was also nominated for Best Global Music Performance.

Night Reign is a masterful continuation of Aftab’s unique musical universe and features star collaborators such as Cautious Clay, Vijay Iyer, Elvis Costello, James Francies, Moor Mother, and Joel Ross. The Wall Street Journal describes the album as: “Its beauty is self-evident, and it stands on its own” – and it has appeared on numerous “Best of 2024” lists worldwide.

Through her album Vulture Prince, Aftab became a household name – especially after Barack Obama included her on his summer playlist in 2021. The song “Mohabbat” won a Grammy for Best Global Music Performance in 2022, and her collaborative project Love in Exile (Verve, 2023) with Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily was praised as a “masterclass in space,” earning an Edison Jazz Award and another Grammy nomination.

Aftab, who grew up in Lahore, Pakistan, has had an impressive journey – from viral cover songs to studies at Berklee College of Music, and eventually to New York’s creative melting pot. She has wowed audiences at festivals like Primavera, Glastonbury, Coachella, Newport, and Montreal Jazz, and has performed on Tiny Desk, Later with Jools Holland, and many other prestigious stages and programs.