Released 27 years after Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s passing, his posthumous album Chain of Life has been ranked as the world’s most popular album of 2024 by The Guardian.
A Timeless Legacy
The album, released in September 2024 under Real World Recordings, features four qawwalis recorded during the 1990s. Alongside the album, a short documentary titled Chain of Life was also released, celebrating the legendary musician’s life and enduring influence.
Global Recognition
The Guardian compiled a list of the top 10 music albums of 2024, with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Chain of Life taking the top spot. The list also includes another Pakistani artist, Grammy-winning singer Arooj Aftab, whose album Night Reign was ranked sixth.
Top 10 Albums of 2024 by The Guardian
10. Poeji Nant
09. DJ Love – Budots World (Reloaded)
08. Ganavya – Daughter of a Temple
07. Malcolm Jiyane Tree-O – True Story
06. Arooj Aftab – Night Reign
05. Bizhiki – Unbound
04. Lord Spikeheart – The Adept
03. Fabiano do Nascimento and Sam Gendel – The Room
02. Milton Nascimento and Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza
01. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Party – Chain of Life
A Double Triumph for Pakistan
With two albums in the top 10, Pakistan’s rich musical heritage has received global recognition. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Chain of Life serves as a reminder of his unmatched contributions to world music, while Arooj Aftab’s Night Reign highlights the contemporary evolution of Pakistani artistry.
Enduring Influence of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Decades after his passing, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan continues to captivate audiences worldwide, reinforcing his status as a timeless icon of music and culture.
