News of the Week

Pakistani entries in contention for the 2025 Grammy Awards

The 2025 Grammy Awards could mark a monumental moment for Pakistani music, with numerous submissions featuring Pakistani artists now under consideration. Notably, the Best Global Music Performance category alone boasts an impressive 456 entries, while the Album of the Year category has 707 entries, Record of the Year holds 780, and Song of the Year— the largest category—has 978 entries. Officially titled the 67th Grammy Awards, the event is set to take place on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with nominations set to be announced next week.

From the internationally acclaimed music series Coke Studio to the Grammy award- winning artist Arooj Aftab, celebrated musician Ali Sethi and rapper extraordinaire Faris Shafi, these submissions underscore the depth of Pakistan’s musical heritage and creative evolution. With 2025 on the horizon, this year holds historical potential for Pakistani representation at the Grammys. According to Billboard reports, anticipation surrounding these Grammy submissions is palpable, with Pakistani artists competing in some of the most popular categories.

Here’s a closer look at the notable submissions captivating audiences worldwide.

1. Arooj Aftab’s x Night Reign

Grammy-winning artist Arooj Aftab has submitted her critically acclaimed album, Raat Ki Rani (Night Reign), in several Grammy categories, including Album of the Year, and Best Alternative Jazz Album. The album’s title track, ‘Raat Ki Rani,’ has been submitted for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Music Video, and Best Global Music Performance. Another song from Night Reign, ‘Autumn Leaves’ featuring James Francies, is under consideration in the Best Jazz Performance category, while the track ‘Whiskey’ is submitted for Best Alternative Music Performance. The album features a stellar cast of musicians, including Kaki King, Cautious Clay, and Vijay Iyer, among others.

In 2022, Arooj Aftab was nominated in two categories, Best New Artist, and Best Global Music Performance for her song ‘Mohabbat’, winning in the latter category. Though her subsequent nomination, ‘Udhero Naa’, didn’t secure a win, Aftab did perform at the Grammys—an honor granted to only a few artists in Grammy history.

Her distinctive blend of jazz, classical, and folk has gained international acclaim, positioning her as a prominent figure in global music. Aftab’s achievements have elevated Pakistani music on the world stage, as well as increasing visibility for South Asian music. In a heartfelt Instagram post, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with talented artists, describing the experience as ‘humbling’.

2. Du Yun’s ‘Where We Lost Our Shadows’

featuring Ali Sethi

Ali Sethi, globally renowned for his song ‘Pasoori’, adds another prestigious project to his repertoire with Where We Lost Our Shadows’, a powerful album by Chinese-American composer Du Yun. Created in collaboration with Khaled Jarrar, this album explores themes of migration and displacement. Featuring Sofia Jernberg, Shayna Dunkelman, and the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Joseph Young, the album is a captivating exploration of human experience.

News of the Week

This compelling work is submitted in multiple Grammy categories, including Best Global Music Performance, Best Contemporary Classical Comp-osition, and Best Immersive Audio Album, with Ali Sethi contributing to at least three songs. Sethi’s execeptional voice enhances this groundbreaking collaboration, further cementing his status as a global music icon.

3. Coke Studio 15’s

‘Aayi Aayi’

‘Aayi Aayi’, performed in Coke Studio 15, is a captivating collaboration featuring the exceptional vocal talent of folk artists from Sindh. Among them, Noman Ali Rajper enchants audiences with his soulful voice and skillful blend of traditional and contemporary styles. Babar Mangi, a master of traditional instruments, enriches the performance with elements of Pakistan’s folk music heritage, while Marvi Sahiban infuses her renditions of classical and folk music with profound emotional depth.

News of the Week

Each artist’s unique artistry culminates in a song that pays homage to Sindh’s vibrant heritage and cultural diversity. The arrangement and sound design blend modern and traditional elements, creating a spellbinding musical experience. ‘Aayi Aayi’ transports listeners to the heart of Sindh, capturing its spirit, culture, and people. The song’s vocals reflect the voices of the region’s inhabitants, while the music video depicts the customs and traditions of Sindh. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the song tells a poignant story, celebrating Sindh as a land of inclusivity and warmth.

4. Coke Studio 15’s ‘Blockbuster’ - a global contender

The song ‘Blockbuster,’ a dynamic fusion of Pakistani music traditions, has been submitted for the Best Global Music Performance category. This powerful collaboration brings together iconic Pakistani artists: rapper Faris Shafi, vocalist Umair Butt, and the all-female folk group Gharwi.

Faris Shafi, celebrated for his socially conscious lyrics and rhythmic flow crafts a distinctive narrative style with universal appeal, solidifying his position as a global artist. Umair Butt’s versatile vocal range effortlessly blends classical and Punjabi folk influences, creating a unique sound that is both authentic and contemporary. The Gharwi Group, hailing from the culturally rich Gharwi Mohalla, embodies the legacy of legendary artists like Naseebo Lal and Reshma, bringing a soulful and timeless dimension to the track.

‘Blockbuster,’co-written by Xulfi, Faris, and Umair, and produced by Xulfi, celebrates the vibrant spirit of a Pakistani neighborhood. The song follows Faris and Umair as they traverse the bustling streets, gathering friends and family for a joyous celebration. The entire comm-unity unites, symbolizing the camaraderie and collective spirit that defines Pakistan. Through their lyrics, Faris and Umair inspire listeners to embrace their individuality and potential.

Norwegian dance group Quick Style adds to the song’s dynamic energy with two choreographed dance sequences, including a vibrant bus scene featuring Faris. The Gharwi Group’s unique, ancestral influence from the Rajasthan Desert infuses the music with a soulful folk essence, bridging the past and present. Their sound, rooted in joy and resilience, reinforces a timeless connection to tradition, bringing authenticity and depth to this energetic collaboration.

5. Coke Studio 15’s ‘Piya Piya Calling’ - a global fusion sensation

‘Piya Piya Calling’ is another fusion masterpiece, uniting the talents of Pakistani artist Kaifi Khalil, Norwegian hip-hop duo Karpe, viral dance phenomenon Quick Style, and singer Amanda Delara. This collaborative effort has propelled the song to widespread popularity.

News of the Week

Kaifi Khalil has rapidly gained a dedicated following through his ability to seamlessly blend profound cultural nuances with modern music, captivating audiences with hits like ‘Kahani Suno’ and ‘Kana Yaari’. Giving the song further momentum is the presence of Norwegian dance group Quick Style, known for their innovative choreography and viral dance content. Reflecting the spirit of global harmony, the track seamlessly combines diverse musical styles, setting its place as a global hit in Coke Studio’s illustrious history. This collaboration has been submitted for Grammy consideration in the Best Global Music Performance category.

6. ‘Piya Piya Calling’

receives prestigious P3 Gold Award nomination

Coke Studio 15’s global hit ‘Piya Piya Calling,’ has been nominated for the prestigious Song of the Year award at Norway’s P3 Gold Awards. This recognition is a testament to the song’s immense popularity and unique fusion of cultures and styles with over 14 million views on YouTube. ‘Piya Piya Calling’ with its multilingual and multicultural influences, has become a symbol of cross-cultural connection and artistic excellence. The song has garnered vast support from fans across Pakistan, Norway, and beyond.

The P3 Gold Awards, organized annually by Norway’s largest radio network, P3, celebrate outstanding musical achievements by spotlighting exceptional songs, artists, and projects. A nomination for the P3 Gold Awards signifies a level of artistic accomplishment that resonates globally.

Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, better known as Xulfi, the creative producer behind Coke Studio 15, expressed his excitement and gratitude on Instagram. He emphasized the significance of the P3 Gold nomination, stating, “P3 is Norway’s biggest radio channel. We didn’t know this timeline could exist in our lives. But I believe when you push boundaries for and through art and love, the universe responds with some art and love of its own too.”

News of the Week

He encouraged fans to vote for ‘Piya Piya Calling’ and continue supporting the song’s journey, concluding by expressing his appreciation for the global community united by music, and the power of art to transcend borders and bring people together.

As Pakistani music continues to gain recognition on the world stage, these Grammy submissions and P3 Gold Award nomination highlight a cultural renaissance marked by artistic excellence, boundary-pushing collaborations, and the global appeal of Pakistan’s musical heritage. With submissions from visionary talents like Arooj Aftab, Ali Sethi as well as innovative platforms like Coke Studio, Pakistan’s music industry has shown its capacity to blend tradition with modernity while delivering universally resonant messages.

These entries not only honour Pakistan’s cultural roots but also amplify its voice in a multicultural world, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. These artists not only continue to push artistic boundaries, but also serve as ambassadors of cultural diversity and unity, showing the potential of music to build bridges across borders, languages, and traditions.