Umair slides into Genius Top Albums of the Year

Umair, a rising talent in the South Asian music scene, has made a remarkable entry into the global spotlight with his debut album, Rockstar Without a Guitar which featured among the Top 25 Best Albums of the Year by the Genius Community. This Islamabad-born producer is rapidly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. At just 20 years old, Umair has independently amassed millions of streams over the past few years, earning recognition for his innovative approach to music.

As per ANI, the album, released under Sony Music Entertainment Middle East, is a testament to Umair's creative prowess, featuring 20 tracks that include collaborations with 25 different artists, among them big names like Young Stunners, KR$NA, Hasan Raheem, and Abdul Hannan. This ambitious project not only underscores Umair's talent but also his ability to bring together some of the most influential voices in the South Asian music landscape.

Another South Asian artist who made the list is Arooj Aftab with Night Reign which is inspired by a multitude of figures in history, from 18th century poet and and courtesan Mah Laga Bai to Hindustani classical singer Begum Akhtar.

Genius, which is celebrated as one of the most influential music platforms worldwide, has a community-driven approach to its annual best albums list. The process is meticulous, involving polls, discussions, and member-submitted write-ups that collectively spotlight the year's most impactful music. For Umair to see his album listed alongside those of industry heavyweights like Metro Boomin is a significant achievement, something he acknowledges with pride: "It feels awesome honestly, seeing your name and your work among the greats. I mean being in the same list as Metro Boomin, feels unreal."

Sony Music Entertainment Middle East has been instrumental in promoting South Asian talent, evident in their signing of AUR, whose single Tu hai kahan became a global sensation and was rereleased as a collaboration with former One Direction member Zayn.