First winner of the Best Global Music Performance Grammy

Two new award categories were introduced for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in 2022: Best Música Urbana Album and Best Global Music Performance. Arooj Aftab (Pakistan/USA, b. Saudi Arabia) won the latter for her song “Mohabbat”, taken from her self-penned third studio album Vulture Prince (2021). Clocking in at 7 min 42 sec, “Mohabbat” has won rave reviews from the US music press and was even selected by former US President Barack Obama for inclusion on his “Summer Playlist”, alongside tracks from Bob Marley, Rihanna, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell and fellow Grammy winners Silk Sonic and Jay-Z.

Aftab made history as the first Pakistani woman to win a Grammy. Her competition in the new category came from Angélique Kidjo (“Do Yourself”, feat. Burna Boy), Femi Kuti (“Pà Pá Pà”), Wizkid (US Top 10 hit “Essence”, feat. Tems) and Yo-Yo Ma (“Blewu”, feat. Angélique Kidjo). She was also nominated for Best New Artist, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Glass Animals and The Kid LAROI, but that award went to Olivia Rodrigo.