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Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab makes it to Barack Obama's Summer Playlist

Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab makes it to Barack Obama's Summer Playlist

The former president creates a playlist to share music he's listening to every year.
12 Jul, 2021

Pakistani singer Arooj Aftab's music has left quite an impression on former US president Barack Obama. Her song 'Mohabbat' from the album Vulture Prince has been featured in Obama's 2021 summer playlist.

Obama has been sharing playlists of music he has enjoyed listening to during the summer for the past couple of years. This year's playlist is titled Barack Obama's Summer Playlist.

"With so many folks getting together with family and friends, there’s a lot to celebrate this summer," he said. "I put together a playlist of some of the songs I’ve been listening to lately  — it’s a mix of old and new, household names and emerging artists, and a whole lot in between."

Aftab's song 'Mohabbat' has been mentioned alongside songs from artists such as Stevie Wonder, The Rolling Stones and Rihanna. The singer was delighted to be included in the list and shared the news on her Instagram.

"Well this has been wonderful to wake up to!" she wrote. "Thank you barack Obama."

Celebrities such as Riz Ahmed, Mira Sethi, Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy and Natasha Noorani were quick to congratulate Aftab on social media for being featured on the playlist.

Aftab's fans and well wishers also expressed their joy at Obama's endorsement.

According to Pitchfork, Aftab hails from Lahore and attended Boston’s Berklee College of Music where she studied music production and engineering. Her sound is heavily inspired by classical music such as the ghazal. She grew up listening to artists such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and American singer, Jeff Buckley.

She made her debut in 2015 with her album Bird Under Water. Her album Vulture Prince, which includes 'Mohabbat', was released in 2021. You can listen to her song here:

Comments

AK Jul 12, 2021 12:16pm
What a downfall for this Society....... As per Allama Iqbal: (Waye Nakami! Mataa-e-Karwan Jata Raha Karwan Ke Dil Se Ehsas-e-Ziyan Jata Raha) .............. How disappointing! The caravan’s wealth is gone The feeling of loss from caravan’s heart is gone
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Fastrack Jul 12, 2021 12:17pm
News, guys.
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Amin Arab Jul 12, 2021 12:24pm
Ahh all this validation
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Chrís Dăn Jul 12, 2021 12:55pm
A great news. Obama is not only a very sophisticated statesman-he is known for his refined taste in literature and music. Hence comming it from him is really a big news.
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Chrís Dăn Jul 12, 2021 12:56pm
@Fastrack it is. Keeping in view the sophiticated stature of self made Obama.
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Zak Jul 12, 2021 12:59pm
Congratulations Arooj. Ignore the negatives, enjoy the positives.
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Jahanzeb Tareen Jul 12, 2021 01:01pm
Arooj's voice is hypnotizing. She is a real gem. Thanks to Mr. Obama for recommending her song.
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Zak Jul 12, 2021 01:02pm
Heard it-Awesome.
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Zak Jul 12, 2021 01:09pm
Shows Mr Barack Obama has exquisite taste in music.
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Sane Mind1st Jul 12, 2021 01:22pm
A Pakistani settled in foreign land getting recognisation. And we are celeberating. Some excuse.
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FazalPK Jul 12, 2021 01:40pm
There is a woman who knows all that glitters is gold. And she's buying the stairway to heaven. So she's going to heaven if Obama listened to her song.?
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Hasan Jul 12, 2021 01:46pm
This is seriously in the news. Like for legit this is being discussed.
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Favad Qaisar Jul 12, 2021 02:33pm
Well he is Pakistani from origin
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NYS Jul 12, 2021 03:18pm
@FazalPK why not
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NYS Jul 12, 2021 03:21pm
Arooj is on cloud nine
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Abbasshah Jul 12, 2021 04:44pm
Fine .
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Chrís Dăn Jul 12, 2021 04:45pm
@FazalPK smell of baseless jealousy!!!
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Chrís Dăn Jul 12, 2021 04:46pm
@Sane Mind1st why not. Is Pakistan not located on planet earth? Is Pakistan not a member of international community?
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Chrís Dăn Jul 12, 2021 04:48pm
@FazalPK her voice is real gold. She got her inspiration from Begum Akhtar who herself was the best in her times. So no wonder.
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Abbasshah Jul 12, 2021 04:51pm
@ AK ,Why so disheartened?
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LgbtqX Jul 12, 2021 04:54pm
Hussein Obama likes Arabian songs.
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Sarkhail Hazraat Jul 12, 2021 08:18pm
A playlist with a hidden meaning. No thank you!
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jul 12, 2021 09:38pm
Welcome to the unique club and the distinguished clubhouse. As always, keep it up and hang on tough.
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Glen D'Abreo Jul 12, 2021 11:50pm
@Amin Arab why the negativity?
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Glen D'Abreo Jul 12, 2021 11:53pm
@FazalPK we listening to her are floating towards heaven. The naysayers like you will not.
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Glen D'Abreo Jul 12, 2021 11:57pm
A beautiful voice and a great showcase for Pakistan to enjoy the high talent of music to the world. Her critics are poking minor jabs at nothing. We need to encourage talent like this but alas the in every society we will have people who tear others down for selfish reasons,
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Ali Mehdi Jul 13, 2021 06:55am
Sharmeen Chinoy. See Arooj didn’t have to paint anyone bad to get noticed by someone very important n extremely famous. Even without speaking ill of others it is quite possible to still be very successful. Next you may try to throw some light on the positive side of our Pakistani society.
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Ahmar Qureshi Jul 13, 2021 11:09am
Euphoric resonance is reaching all over the world
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Sharad Jul 14, 2021 06:55am
@Zak What negative? I am from other side of the border and love it. Respect all artists and sportsmen without bias. They earned it
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