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

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: