Ali Sethi

About

Singer, songwriter, composer, author, and contemporary artist best known for his modern takes on traditional folk and classical pieces. He has performed on numerous seasons of Coke Studio Pakistan, where one of his singles, "Pasoori," became the first Pakistani track to appear on Spotify's Viral 50 Global chart before later reaching the chart's #1 spot. Spotify went on to name him one of the most streamed Pakistani artists worldwide, and he was also named on the Time Magazine 100 Next list in 2022. His albums include Paniya, Dil Mein Ab, Raat Bhar, and Kaase Kahu, and he has also released numerous hit singles and performed as a featured artist on titles such as "Aaja" and "Kala Mukhra."

Before Fame

While attending Harvard University's undergraduate school, Harvard College, initially majoring in economics, but later changing his major to South Asian Studies, he served on the board of the famed college art and literary magazine, The Harvard Advocate. Three years after his 2006 graduation, he published his first novel, entitled The Wish Maker. It wasn't until 2012 that he recorded his debut song, "Dil Jalannay Ki Baat Karte Ho," which received substantial critical acclaim and international distinction. 

Trivia

He received nominations for Best Playback Singer at the 15th Lux Style Awards and the 2nd ARY Film Awards. His song "Kithay Nain Na Jorin" also received nominations for Best Music Single and Best Music Video from the 4th Hum Awards in 2016.

Family Life

He is the son of journalist Najam Sethi and politician Jugnu Mohsin. He has a sister named Mira Sethi and an aunt named Moni Mohsin. He is one of a small number of Pakistani artists to openly identify as queer.

Associated With

He has performed duets on Coke Studio Pakistan with artists such as Nabeel Shaukat Ali, Ali Hamza, and Shae Gill, among others.