Amid music heavyweights, Brooklyn-based Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab will make her way to the 64th Grammy Awards on Sunday, among other Breakout of the Year nominees, who bring a touch of daring and diversity at the party.
Despite the critical success of his album Vulture Prince, a successful marriage of Sufi inspirations and folk, jazz and pop, Arooj Aftab, 37, was pessimistic about his chances of competing one day for a gramophone, a trophy awarded at this prestigious ceremony. “I didn’t think that would happen“. And yet, “i thought this should be normal“.
Among ten nominees, including rappers Baby Keem and The Kid Laroi, rapper Saweetie, singer Arlo Parks, Finneas (Billie Eilish’s brother) or groups Glass Animals and Japanese Breakfast, Arooj Aftab feels in the category “the most representative“.”This group in itself is already a bit of a victory“, she adds.
This eclecticism in genres and backgrounds reflects the efforts of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (“The Recording Academy”) for greater diversity at the Grammy Awards. A work started a few years ago, and which is illustrated above all by the increase from five to eight, then ten nominated for the four most prestigious awards (best album, recording, song, and revelation).
But Arooj Aftab will also find himself facing pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, who has shattered the listening records and is a favorite. And if the 19-year-old Californian, already known to all, wins, it will be a disappointment for those who defend bolder choices. Yet for Billie Eilish-nominated 2020 New Orleans band Tank and the Bangas Tarriona “Tank” Ball, just being there”has weight“.”I don’t feel like I lost that night. We feel winners“, she says.
Darius Van Arman, founder of the Secretly Group, a group of independent labels, warns against the idea of leaving high masses of awards “be the definition of success in the music market“Nevertheless, they”open doors for some artists and create career opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have“, adds the boss of Secretly Group, which represents in particular Bon Iver, winner of a Grammy in 2012, Phoebe Bridgers and Japanese Breakfast.
Tank keeps a concrete memory of it. “The cameras start coming, then the media catches you and they find you, wherever you are“.”And then you realize it’s a big deal“, she says.
“Everywhere I go, all I hear is: twice Grammy nominated, twice Grammy nominated“, laughs Arooj Aftab, also a candidate for an award with his song Mohabbat. “I think it will have a lasting effect on my career“, assures the singer.
Darius Van Arman hails the “progress” of the Academy to be “more inclusive of artists, whether on major labels or independent labels“. But for Arooj Aftab, you have to stay”realistic about our expectations of them“.”What are the ethics of the Grammys? Is it to be fair and to represent everyone? Or are they just part of the industry and the ratings… and giving the masses what they want, i.e. Olivia Rodrigo or Taylor Swift ?”
Jokingly, she assures that her goal on Sunday will be mostly “not to wince in heels“.”I look forward to having a good time and meeting people“, she adds.