Arooj Aftab, a Brooklyn-based Pakistani vocalist who has lived in New York for some 15 years has made her country proud by earning her first Grammy. Arooj has earned a notable trophy for her song “Mohabbat” in the Best Global Performance category. She became the first-ever Pakistani to have secured the honour. This is Arooj’s first victory in the 2022 GRAMMYs, and of her career.
She took to her official Instagram account and shared her happiness with her country and fans. “Oh my god,” she wrote on her success, expressing her delight at the Grammys’ diversity of music this year. I am ecstatic about this opportunity, not only for myself but also for the industry. We celebrated music as a collective tonight, boldly doing what we want to make in all its genre-less, infinite crossover brilliance. Thank you and best wishes.”
Furthermore, Arooj wore a black and silver flashy fringed blouse and classic black high-waisted pants with a long purple overcoat to the ceremony. The singer did her hair in a messy updo and accessorized with a golden statement floral brooch. As she gets her prize, an overjoyed Arooj laughs onstage, “I fear I’m going to faint.” “Wow, thank you very much for everything. In her acceptance speech, she remarked, “I feel like this category in and of itself has been so wild.”
Arooj was born in Saudi Arabia to Pakistani parents and spent her teenage years in Lahore before moving to Boston to study music production and engineering at the famed Berklee School of Music. She received critical acclaim for her third studio album Vulture Prince, which drew even more exposure after former US President Barack Obama selected the song Mohabbat on his summer favorites list for 2021.
Arooj has played at Lincoln Center and the Museum of Modern Art, as well as opening for Mitski at The Brooklyn Steel in 2018. Many celebrities and well-known people celebrated her great win on social media shortly after she received the award. Many people congratulated Arooj on his achievement, from Mahira Khan to Shireen Mazari.