KEY POINTS
- Meesha Shafi’s Khilnay Ko album is nominated in three categories.
- Arooj Aftab submits the Khruangbin remix of her track Raat Ki Rani for Best Remixed Recording.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani singers Meesha Shafi and Arooj Aftab have submitted their latest projects for consideration at the 2026 Grammy Awards, marking their continued presence on the global music stage.
This marks the fourth consecutive year that both artists have earned recognition from the Recording Academy, underscoring their growing global influence.
Meesha Shafi, known for her bold and innovative musical style, has submitted her most radical album to date, Khilnay Ko, in three major categories: Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance, and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical).
Released earlier this year, the album challenges pop conventions with experimental soundscapes and emotionally charged lyricism.
Khilnay Ko explores themes of grief and resolution across 11 tracks, with Shafi choosing to prioritize artistic freedom over mainstream appeal.
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Meanwhile, Arooj Aftab, who made history by winning a Grammy in 2022, has submitted the Khruangbin remix of the title track from her 2024 album Raat Ki Rani for the category of Best Remixed Recording.
The collaboration with Texas-based psychedelic band Khruangbin takes the original track’s serene mood and transforms it into a groove-driven journey while preserving Aftab’s ethereal vocals.
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Aftab, known for blending South Asian classical music with modern minimalism, continues to push boundaries and redefine the global music landscape.
Her Grammy win in 2022 cemented her place as a trailblazer in the industry, and this latest submission adds to her growing global footprint.
Both artists’ ongoing presence in the Grammy race is a significant milestone for Pakistani music, inspiring a new generation of musicians and solidifying Pakistan’s rising prominence in the global music scene.
The first round of Grammy voting is set to run through October 15, with the final awards ceremony scheduled for February 2026.
