The Grammy Awards 2025 could be a landmark event for Pakistani music, with several submissions featuring a bevy of talented Pakistani artists having made waves on the international stage. From upbeat and funky ensemble numbers to Grammy-winning artist Arooj Aftab and acclaimed musician Ali Sethi, Pakistani artists are hoping for a strong presence at the next iteration of the musical awards.
Coke Studio 15 with three submissions
Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, popularly known as Xulfi, the creative force behind Coke Studio Season 15, has made three high-profile submissions in the "Best Global Music Performance" category.
One of the submissions includes his standout track, "Aayi Aayi," which features Noaman Ali Rajper, Babar Mangi, and Marvi Sahiban which brought to life a folk tale of women standing up to men in a culture where women are usually victimised. Xulfi shared on social media site Instagram how the track’s rich cultural sound resonated with listeners, and urged Grammy voters to consider it.
The second submission is "Piya Piya Calling," a fusion piece that brings together Kaifi Khalil, Norwegian hip-hop group Karpe, viral dance sensation Quick Style, and Norwegian singer Amanda Delara. The song, which blends diverse musical traditions, also aims for recognition in the "Best Global Music Performance" category.
Rounding out Xulfi’s submissions is the standout hit of the season, "Blockbuster" by Faris Shafi, the Gharvi Group, and Umair Butt. The track has also been submitted for the global musical performance category, with its music video shot in a one-take style on an elaborate set with dozens of extras. With these three submissions, Coke Studio 15 is hoping to stake a strong claim at representing Pakistani music at this year’s Grammys.
Arooj Aftab aims for more Grammy glory
Arooj Aftab, who made history in 2022 by becoming the first Pakistani woman to win a Grammy, is back with her album Raat Ki Rani (Night Reign). This album has been submitted in several key categories, including "Album of the Year" and "Best Alternative Jazz Album". The title track has also been submitted for "Record of the Year", "Song of the Year", and "Best Music Video".
Featuring collaborations with top musicians like Kaki King, Cautious Clay, and Vijay Iyer, Aftab has expressed her deep appreciation for working alongside such talents. In an Instagram post, she described the experience as “humbling” and hopes her latest submission will bring more accolades to her already stellar career.
This has to be Aftab's most ambitious attempt at securing Grammy glory to date.
Ali Sethi joins with Du Yun for Grammy submissions
Ali Sethi is yet another notable Grammy submission from Pakistan. He is featured on Chinese-American composer Du Yun’s album Where We Lost Our Shadows, a project that explores themes of displacement and migration. With contributions from the Peabody Symphony Orchestra and other acclaimed performers, this album is competing in several Grammy categories, including "Best Global Music Performance", "Best Contemporary Classical Composition", and "Best Immersive Audio Album".
The Pasoori singer broke the charts with his number alongside newcomer Shae Gill a few years ago that led to performances at Coachella, but a Grammy would cement his standing as an accomplished musical artist.
Sethi’s distinct vocal style, which has earned him widespread international recognition, plays a key role in this cross-continental collaboration, further showcasing his versatility as an artist.
The 67th Grammy Awards will take place on February 2, 2025, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations will be announced on November 8, and with the spotlight on Pakistani artists, this could be a historic moment for the country’s growing music industry.