Pakistani-American singer Arooj Aftab is back in the Grammy spotlight with two nominations for the 2025 awards. Her song “Raat Ki Rani” is up for Best Global Music Performance, and her latest album, Night Reign, has landed in the Best Alternative Jazz Album category.
Arooj Aftab is unstoppable in the music industry and is lifting the bar for women. Her back-to-back Grammy nominations surely showcase her love for music.
Arooj Aftab’s Album Nominated for the Grammy Awards
She shared this great news with her fans on her Instagram and listed other female nominations.
Aftab has been a prominent voice in redefining Pakistani music on the global stage. She made history in 2022 as the first Pakistani woman to take home a Grammy, winning Best Global Music Performance for her song “Mohabbat.” She was also a Best New Artist contender that year, performing her Grammy-nominated “Usher Na” with sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar. After 15 years in New York, Aftab, now 37, is widely recognized for blending Sufi traditions with folk, jazz, and minimalism in ways that resonate globally.
Also read: Best Global Music Performance! Arooj Aftab Bags Grammy Nomination Second Year In A Row
Beyoncé Sets Grammy Record with 11 Nominations, Takes on Country
Beyoncé leads the 2025 Grammy pack with an impressive 11 nominations, pushing her career total to a record-breaking 99. Her new album, Cowboy Carter, has scored a spot in the coveted Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year categories. Her single, “Texas Hold ’Em,” is also nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Country Song of the Year. Beyoncé’s work in country and Americana music has put her at the forefront of these categories for the first time.
These nominations elevate Beyoncé beyond her previous tie with husband Jay-Z, who has 88 Grammy nods. If she wins Album of the Year, she would become the first Black woman to achieve the honor in the 21st century, following Lauryn Hill’s win in 1999 for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Also read: ‘Udhero Na’ Arooj Aftab’s New Song Is Being Submitted To The Grammys
Country Firsts: Post Malone and Morgan Wallen
Post Malone enters the country genre this year with his first-ever country nominations. His album F-1 Trillion is up for Country Album of the Year, while his collaboration with Morgan Wallen on “I Had Some Help” earned nominations for Country Song and Country Duo/Group Performance. These are Wallen’s first Grammy nominations as well, marking a new chapter for both artists in the country genre.
Seven Nominations for Eilish, Lamar, and Charli XCX
Post Malone’s seven nominations tie him with Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Charli XCX. Lamar’s impactful track “Not Like Us” has earned nominations across key categories like Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Rap Performance, showcasing his dominance in the genre. Lamar also achieved a milestone with two entries in the Best Rap Performance category this year, the first in his career.
Taylor Swift’s Grammy Run Continues with Newcomers in the Spotlight
Taylor Swift secured six nominations, extending her Album of the Year streak with “The Tortured Poets Department.” If she wins, it will add to her record as the only female artist with four wins in this category. Swift’s seven Album of the Year nominations over her career set a new record for female artists.
In a year marked by fresh talent, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan also earned six nominations each. Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet and Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess bring new voices to the Grammy lineup, reflecting a shift toward broader musical representation.
Album of the Year Nominees Reflect Genre Diversity
The Album of the Year category celebrates a wide range of styles and genres. In addition to Swift, Beyoncé, Carpenter, and Roan, nominees include André 3000’s genre-bending jazz work New Blue Sun, Jacob Collier’s inventive Djesse Vol. 4, Billie Eilish’s deeply personal Hit Me Hard and Soft, and Charli XCX’s pop-punk-infused BRAT. This mix showcases the Grammys’ push for inclusivity and variety, making the 2025 awards one of the most diverse yet.
