Arooj Aftab released one of our favorite albums of 2024, Night Reign, an record that found her widening her scope to incorporate elements of pop. R&B, dub, hip hop, and more. You can listen below. She was also nice enough to make us a Best of 2024 list, one that is just a little bit different.
“I have never liked going to clubs but I love being out at night,” Arooj tells us. “And of course a great night requires someone great in the DJ booth – here are my top 10 favorite DJs of 2024.” Her list includes Juliana Huxtable, Ayanna Heaven, and more. Check that out, complete with commentary, below.
AROOJ AFTAB’S TOP 10 FAVORITE DJS of 2024
1. Ayanna Heaven
I love a good reggae/dancehall funk/soul DJ who has deep cuts and a fun vibe and can carry the night for hours. Ayanna is one of the most booked and busy DJs in Brooklyn right now. If she’s on the decks it’s a fun night guaranteed, and she’s easy on the eyes.
2. DJ Nooriyah
nooriyah can blend bangers from all over the world from all eras of music into one night and keep it surprising and you will not stop dancing for even a second
3. DJ Caio Becker
I found Caio in a relatively unscathed-by-tourists beach town in Bahia called Barra Grande… and you know Brazilians love to have fun. Super great DJ. Awesome selection and great mixes all summer.
4. JonnyGoFigure
Can be found spinning and appealing to my love for dub in grown and hi-fi lounges in New York like the Ace Hotel
5. DJ Mickey Perez
A new york night scene legend. all the rhythms, all the good times, always
6. Mestiza DJ
It’s bonkers these two women on the decks together blending heavy electronic music with flamenco and traditional spanish music in front of huge audiences.
7. Sasha Marie
I love all the folks in the Soulection crew.
8. Asmara
Another very cool kid on the New York scene. Has worked with smooth operators like Kelela.
9. Jyoty
Keeping london on its feet, Jyoty is so good. Find her schedule and go.
10. Juliana Huxtable
Co-founder of the New York–based nightlife project Shock Value amongst other things, again a great night out.
See more 2024 year end lists here.
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Arooj will be on tour starting January 20 in Vancouver and also has dates in the spring including Big Ears fest in Knoxville. She’s also got a few upcoming NYC shows including the 2025 Winter Jazzfest: first as part of the Brooklyn Marathon on January 11 and then she’ll perform Night Reign across three nights at the related Prototype fest on January 15, 16, & 17. Then she’s part of the annual Tibet House Benefit at Carnegie Hall in March. All dates are below.
Arooj Aftab – 2025 Tour Dates
Jan 11 Winter Jazzfest Brooklyn Marathon New York, NY, United States
Jan 15 Prototype Festival New York City, NY, United States
Jan 20 New Hollywood Theater Vancouver, Canada
Jan 21 The Crocodile Seattle, WA, United States
Jan 22 Aladdin Theater Portland, OR, United States
Jan 24 August Hall San Francisco, CA, United States
Jan 25 Stanford Live Stanford, CA, United States
Jan 26 El Rey Theatre Los Angeles, CA, United States
Feb 25 Zabeel Theatre Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Feb 26 Cultural Hall الصالة الثقافية Manama, Bahrain
Mar 27 Union Stage Washington, DC, United States
Mar 29 Big Ears Festival 2025 Knoxville, TN, United States
Apr 03 PAARD Den Haag, Netherlands
Apr 14 Auditorium Parco della Musica Roma, Italy
Apr 15 Teatro della Triennale Milan, Italy
May 02 Polygon Live Tower Of London, United Kingdom
May 22 C6 Festival São Paulo, Brazil
Jun 24 Toronto Jazz Festival Toronto, Canada
Jun 25 Ottawa Jazz Festival Ottawa, Canada
Jun 26 Festival International De Jazz De Montreal 2025 Montreal, Canada