Zack Knight’s success and the significance of the Official Asian Music Chart

Zack Knight, a British-Pakistani artist, has topped the Official Asian Music Chart a record 17 times, surpassing names like Oasis, Ed Sheeran, and Ariana Grande. His biggest hit, ‘Bom Diggy Diggy,’ featuring Jasmin Walia, garnered 300 million plays across YouTube and Spotify, though Knight initially disliked the track he created in just 30 minutes. Launched in 2010, the Official Asian Music Chart was a revolutionary platform recognizing South Asian music, including Bollywood and Bhangra, in the UK. To celebrate its 15th anniversary, BBC Asian Network compiled a list of the top-selling number ones, with Arijit Singh’s ‘Tum Hi Ho’ taking the crown as the nation’s favorite. Singh, who recently headlined a sold-out UK stadium show, also collaborated with Ed Sheeran on ‘Sapphire.’ The chart has given a stage for British Asian artists like Knight to gain recognition, especially as mainstream charts often overlook them. Other notable figures such as Jay Sean and Zayn Malik have also seen success in both the Official Asian Music Chart and the UK’s main chart. The rise of social media, with viral hits like ‘One Pound Fish,’ further highlights the changing landscape of South Asian music in global markets.