Arooj Aftab earns spot on MOJO’s list of top artists shaping future

WEB DESK: Global rising star Arooj Aftab has garnered recognition from the prestigious MOJO magazine in the list of The 30 Artists Who Will Shape the Next 30 Years.

MOJO’s list spotlights artists of immense potential and influence, sharing the limelight with renowned figures such as Taylor Swift, Lana Del Ray, Arctic Monkeys, and Kendrick Lamar.

Taking to her Instagram account, Arooj expressed her delight at being featured in this illustrious roster. With humility and grace, she acknowledged the honour while also using her platform to underscore the pressing issue of climate change and its potential ramifications for our future.

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In her post, Arooj Aftab exuded genuine excitement, declaring, “Posted on main because this is @mojo4music giving me some serious flowers. A great list of artists altogether. Thank you. Ps. Please believe in climate change because how are we getting to 2053 at this rate.”

Recognised for its sharp eye for emerging talents and music trends, MOJO spotlighted Arooj’s album Vulture Prince and provided insightful commentary on her artistic journey.

The magazine highlighted how her 2007 rendition of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah on YouTube foreshadowed her remarkable talents. Born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Pakistan, and now residing in Brooklyn, Arooj’s journey to musical stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Over a span of sixteen years, she has transformed into a musical powerhouse, earning a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance. Her musical prowess traverses various genres, including jazz, as demonstrated in her 2023 collaboration with Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily, ambient electronica, and the emotive resonance of Qawwali and Ghazal traditions.

Arooj’s voice is described as possessing a serene gravitas and beauty reminiscent of Elizabeth Fraser from Cocteau Twins.