Ahead of her Detroit debut, Arooj Aftab reflects on music, magic, and meaning

Grammy-winning Pakistani singer, composer, and producer Arooj Aftab joined In The Groove ahead of her first-ever Detroit performance to talk about the city’s rich musical legacy, her genre-defying approach to songwriting and the meaning listeners bring to her music.

Blending jazz, folk and South Asian influences, Aftab has earned international acclaim for creating atmospheric songs that invite listeners to slow down and immerse themselves in the experience.

Although it’s her first time playing Detroit, Aftab says the city has long been on her list. “It’s basically where almost every favorite musician of mine is from,” she says. Calling Detroit “one of the most important cities” for anyone who loves music, she pointed to jazz icons Ron Carter, Yusef Lateef and Regina Carter as artists who shaped her own musical journey. “I’m personally very excited,” she says. “I can’t believe I’ve never played in Detroit.” 

Aftab walked through her songwriting process and said that she thinks music shouldn’t always come with a clear explanation. She prefers to let people to discover their own meaning in her work and “leave a lot of magic on the table.”

Catch Arooj Aftab at the Detroit Opera House on July 24, where she’ll open for St. Vincent’s orchestral performance with the Detroit Opera Orchestra.