Arooj Aftab slams magazine for islamophobia, racial prejudice in latest album review

Singer Arooj Aftab has taken a stand against racism and Islamophobia in the music industry after an American magazine and a music critic published a racist review of her latest album.

Arooj's album, Love in Exile, received critical acclaim for its unique fusion of Urdu poetry and jazz elements.

However, the review by contributing editor John McDonough in jazz and blues magazine DownBeat took a different tone, describing the album's Urdu chants as monotonous and questioning the universality of music.

Arooj responded on Twitter, calling out the writer and the magazine for racism and Islamophobia.

Collaborator Vijay Iyer also showed support for Arooj, emphasizing the need to address such issues in jazz journalism.

DownBeat editor Frank Alkyer replied to Vijay's Tweet through its official handle, he wrote, "@vijayiyer @arooj_aftab Three other DB reviewers LOVED this record, as do I. John McDonough doesn't. OK. It doesn't fit his definition of jazz — period — hence the term "diversity." He has no other malice. No one should be cancelled for so little. —@frankalkyer, DB editor."

Arooj Aftab expressed her appreciation for the support received for her album but criticized the editor, Frank Alkyer, for printing racist remarks in defense of a controversial review.

She argued that the editor's comments wrapped the criticism in race by highlighting 'diversity' and reduced the music of South Asian composers to tribalist chanting.

She called for cultural sensitivity and fair evaluations in music journalism, highlighting the need for an inclusive and diverse industry that respects artists' backgrounds and experiences.