Grammy awards are one of the most awaited and popular events in the world. There have been a lot of controversies taking place at Grammy and that’s the reason people love to watch it.
This year’s Grammy might be historic because several debutants have been nominated and among them, Arooj Aftab also joined the party.
Arooj Aftab Brooklyn-based Pakistani singer-songwriter a few months away found out that she’s been nominated for the Grammys and it’s a shock for her. “I didn’t think that something like that could happen,” the 37-year-old told AFP before heading to Las Vegas for Sunday’s gala, before adding, “I felt like it’s something that should happen.”
Arooj will be attending the Grammys for the first time, with two nominations under her pillow for her 2021 album “Vulture Prince.”
Over the years, the Recording Academy has been restructuring or expanding the genres and backgrounds of artists honored at its annual awards show.
In the current 64th edition, the award organization has widely expanded the category in its top four categories – best album, record, song, and new artist – from five, then to eight, and now 10 nominees.
Arooj Aftab shares her upcoming plans
Arooj Aftab reliving her moment said, “We’re all so cool – the group itself is kind of like a win.” She has been gaining acclaim for her remarkable works that reflect ancient Sufi traditions with inflections of folk, jazz, and pop.
She said the category this year “feels like it’s the most rightfully representative.” Arooj Aftab also joined rapper Baby Keem, country singer Jimmie Allen, British rockers Glass Animals, experimental pop act Japanese Breakfast, Australian rapper The Kid Laroi, British singer Arlo Parks, rapper Saweetie, and singer-songwriter Finneas – best known for the creative partnership he shares with his sister, Billie Eilish – in the best new artist running.
Darius Van Arman – the founder of Secretly Group added, “There is no ranking of great art; there’s no winner or loser in the game of art. It’s all artists spending their best talents to make extraordinary pieces of expression that make the world better.” That said, Van Arman added that “awards shows do open doors for some artists though, and create career opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
In 2019, she first knew about the group’s nomination Ball said her initial reaction of her was “shock”.
Arooj apart from a Grammy nomination also became the first Pakistani to perform at Coachella. In her recent interview, she also stated that “she doesn’t want to have Grammy nominations that define her.“
‘It’s a big deal’ – Arooj Aftab
“And you’re just like, ‘Wait a minute, this is a big deal.’” Aftab, who also scooped a nod for best global performance for her song “Mohabbat,” said these days “wherever I go… it’s just like, ‘Two-time Grammy nominee, two-time Grammy nominee’!”
“It’s just, like, now attached to my name,” she laughed. “And you know, it is one of the biggest and most coveted, even just nominations… in the world for music.”
“I think it is doing something to my career.”
The rising star further said, “Our companies have felt that directly with Japanese Breakfast and Phoebe Bridgers and Bon Iver receiving best new artist nods.”
At the end of the day, Aftab said it comes down to a question of aim. “What is the ethos of the Grammys? Is it to be so fair and to represent everybody?” she asked.
“Or are they just part of industry and ratings… and giving the masses the thing that they want, which is Olivia Rodrigo or Taylor Swift?” “We just also have to be very realistic about our expectations of them, I think.” The first-time nominee joked that at this point she’s focused on “not grimacing in pain in heels.”
“I’m looking forward to having a good time, meeting people,” Aftab said. “It’s going to be lit.”
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