Arooj Aftab age & birthday

Arooj Aftab is 41 years old, born on March 11, 1985 in Riyadh, Pakistan. Arooj Aftab is a Pakistani singer, musician, and composer recognized for her unique blend of jazz and traditional sounds.

Date of birth: March 11, 1985
Age: 41 years
Birthplace: Riyadh, Pakistan
Zodiac sign: Pisces

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Biography

Who is Arooj Aftab?

Early life and education

Born in Riyadh to Pakistani expatriate parents, Arooj Aftab relocated to Lahore at age ten. During her youth, she began teaching herself guitar while listening to diverse artists such as Billie Holiday and Begum Akhtar. She used early internet access to promote her music, releasing tracks like Mera Pyaar that helped launch the Pakistani indie scene.

In 2005, she moved to the United States and enrolled at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She graduated in 2010 with a degree in music production and engineering, eventually relocating to New York to pursue her professional career.

Musical career and albums

Arooj released her debut album Bird Under Water in 2014, earning critical praise. In 2018, she followed up with Siren Islands, which NPR featured on their favorite electronic music list. Her third studio album, Vulture Prince, arrived in 2021 and received significant attention from outlets like Pitchfork and Time.

The project, dedicated to her late brother Maher, featured the track Mohabbat. This song became a major success, winning a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance in 2022. She later released Night Reign in 2024 and a collaborative album, Love in Exile, with Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily in 2023.

Awards and performances

Her work has gained international recognition. In 2022, she became the first Pakistani artist to win a Grammy. President Arif Alvi also presented her with the Pride of Performance Award for her contributions to music and art.

Arooj has performed at prominent venues including the Barbican and the Lincoln Center. Her festival appearances include Glastonbury, Coachella, and the Montreal Jazz Festival. She also works in film scoring, having composed music for the Student Academy Award-winning film Bittu and contributed to the soundtrack for Talvar.

Musical style and influences

Her sound incorporates genres such as jazz, folk, electronica, and Hindustani classical music. She cites artists like Abbey Lincoln, Abida Parveen, and Jeff Buckley as inspirations. Lyrically, she draws from the work of poets including Rumi and Mirza Ghalib, often incorporating Urdu Ghazal elements. Her vocals are frequently described as meditative. She has collaborated with various artists, including a 2026 project with British producer Bonobo.

Social activism and advocacy

Arooj uses her platform to support various social causes. In 2023, she signed an open letter to the United States President calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. She also partnered with the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation to assist with animal rescue efforts in Karachi.

Also, she has participated in Global Citizen events, performing to support initiatives aimed at ending extreme poverty. In 2026, she contributed a track to the Help (2) compilation album, which raised funds for humanitarian aid in war-torn regions.

Birthday and age

Arooj Aftab was born on March 11, 1985, which makes Arooj 41 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Arooj shares the date with 34 other famous people.

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Arooj, quick answers

Arooj Aftab is 41 years old. She was born in 1985 and has built a substantial career as a singer and composer since moving to the United States in her early twenties. Her professional path has spanned over a decade, culminating in international recognition for her unique musical style.

Arooj Aftab was born on March 11, 1985, which makes her a Pisces. She was born in Riyadh, Pakistan, and later moved to Lahore during her childhood. She is widely recognized as the first Pakistani artist to ever receive a Grammy Award.

She is originally from Pakistan. Although she was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, her family returned to their native Lahore when she was about ten years old. She later moved to the United States in 2005 to pursue higher education.

She is best known as a singer, composer, and music producer who gained global fame for her song Mohabbat. This track earned her a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance in 2022. Her work is celebrated for blending jazz, folk, and traditional South Asian musical elements.

Arooj Aftab attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she earned a degree in music production and engineering. She moved to the United States in 2005 at the age of nineteen to begin her studies. She graduated from the institution in 2010.

Yes, she has received several prestigious accolades for her work in music and art. She won a Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance for her song Mohabbat in 2022. Also, she received the Pride of Performance Award from the President of Pakistan for her excellence in music.

Her music is described as a fusion of jazz, folk, Hindustani classical, and electronica. She draws inspiration from a wide range of influences, including poets like Rumi and musicians such as Jeff Buckley. Her compositions often feature meditative vocals and look at deep themes of longing and grief.

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