Zack Knight: The UK Star Dominating Asian Music Charts Like No Other

The Official Asian Music Chart has become a significant platform for South Asian artists in the UK, marking its 15th anniversary this year. Zack Knight, a British-Pakistani singer and songwriter, has achieved an impressive 17 number one singles on this chart, more than famous artists like Oasis, Ed Sheeran, and Ariana Grande. His biggest hit, 'Bom Diggy Diggy', a collaboration with Jasmin Walia, spent eight weeks at the top and has accumulated 300 million plays on YouTube and Spotify. Interestingly, Zack Knight admitted that he did not initially like the song when he created it in his bedroom, but his father recognized its potential and encouraged him.

The chart was launched in 2010 and was the first in the UK to recognize the popularity of South Asian music, including genres like Bollywood and Bhangra, as well as rap and pop acts from South Asian backgrounds. This gave these artists a chance to be acknowledged for their success, which was often overlooked in mainstream UK music charts. To celebrate the chart's 15-year milestone, BBC Asian Network invited listeners to vote for their favorite song from the chart's history. The winning song was 'Tum Hi Ho', performed by Arijit Singh for the Bollywood film Aashiqui 2. Arijit Singh is one of the most successful Bollywood playback singers of the past 15 years and has recently made history by headlining major concerts and collaborating with global stars like Ed Sheeran. Composer Mithoon, who wrote 'Tum Hi Ho', said the song was very special to him because it fulfilled his childhood dream of winning a Filmfare Award, and he dedicated it to his father.

The Official Asian Music Chart has also provided a platform for artists outside the film industry. Zack Knight's 'Bom Diggy Diggy' was not his first number one, but its success highlighted the growing influence of British Asian artists. The song went viral in 2017 and was later featured in a Bollywood movie. Zack Knight reflected on his journey, saying he was just a kid from the UK trying to release music and was surprised by its international success. Despite more South Asian acts gaining mainstream attention, they rarely appear in the Official Singles Chart, which is why Zack believes the Asian Music Chart remains vital. He feels that South Asian music is a unique genre and appreciates the chart for recognizing artists who blend languages and styles. The chart's history includes Jay Sean's 'Do You Remember' as its first number one, featuring Sean Paul and Lil Jon. Presenter Bobby Friction described it as a special moment for British Asian artists. Over the years, artists like Zayn Malik and Joy Crookes have made strides into the mainstream, and social media has played a role in making songs go viral, such as 'One Pound Fish' by Shahid Nazir. The chart continues to highlight the growing impact of South Asian music in the UK.