The Rise of Zack Knight and the Influence of the Official Asian Music Chart
When it comes to number one singles, few artists can match the achievements of Zack Knight. This British-Pakistani singer and songwriter has topped the Official Asian Music Chart an impressive 17 times, making him a standout figure in the music industry. His most successful track, “Bom Diggy Diggy,” which he created with Jasmin Walia, spent eight weeks at the top of the chart and amassed over 300 million streams across YouTube and Spotify.
Despite its success, Zack admits that he wasn’t initially fond of the song. He recalls creating it in just half an hour and being surprised when his father declared it a hit. “He walked in the room and said, ‘Beta (son) this is a hit.’” This moment highlights the unpredictable nature of musical success and the role of family support in an artist’s journey.
The Official Asian Music Chart, launched in 2010, was groundbreaking as it provided a platform for South Asian music in the UK. It celebrated the popularity of Bollywood, Bhangra, and other mainstream acts from a South Asian background. To mark its 15th anniversary, Muara Digital TeamAsian Network invited listeners to vote for their favorite songs from the Top 50 biggest selling number ones. The winner was “Tum Hi Ho,” a song by Arijit Singh from the Bollywood film Aashiqui 2.
Arijit Singh, known for his work in cinema, recently made history by headlining a sold-out UK stadium show and collaborating with Ed Sheeran on the global hit “Sapphire.” The composer Mithoon, who worked on “Tum Hi Ho,” described the song as a fulfillment of his childhood dream of winning a prestigious Filmfare Award. He dedicated the song to his father, reflecting on the deep personal significance of the track.
While many South Asian artists benefit from the Bollywood machine, the Official Asian Music Chart has also provided a platform for those working outside the film industry. Zack Knight’s “Bom Diggy Diggy” is a prime example of this. Although not his first number one, the track gained widespread popularity and even featured in the Bollywood film Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. Zack reflects on how he never expected the song to reach India and gain such international recognition.
Despite the growing mainstream success of South Asian acts in 2025, they often remain absent from the Official Singles Chart. This is why Zack believes the Official Asian Music Chart is still essential. “We are a genre in our own right. I love mixing languages, and it’s probably one of the only charts in the world that recognizes artists like myself.”
A History of the Official Asian Music Chart
The Official Asian Music Chart has a rich history, with Jay Sean being the first act to achieve a number one with “Do You Remember,” a collaboration with Sean Paul and Lil Jon. Bobby Friction, the first host of the chart show on Muara Digital TeamAsian Network, recalls the significance of seeing a British Asian artist take the top spot. Jay had already achieved success in the main UK Top 40 but remembers the original Asian chart fondly.
Over the years, the chart has seen South Asian music and artists like Joy Crookes and Zayn Malik make significant strides into the mainstream. Zayn Malik is one of only two artists to have both an Official Singles Chart and an Official Asian Music Chart number one. He achieved this in 2016 with “Pillow Talk,” while producer Naughty Boy was the first with “La La La” featuring Sam Smith in 2013.
The Top 50 number ones list also showcases the growing influence of social media on music charts. Viral hits like “Skechers” by YouTuber DripReport and “One Pound Fish” by Shahid Nazir highlight this trend. Nazir, a Pakistani fish trader, gained fame after a video of him singing on his east London market stall went viral. He was signed to Warner Records and released a Bhangra-infused version of the song before returning to Pakistan due to visa issues.
The Official Asian Music Chart continues to celebrate the unique contributions of South Asian artists and their impact on the global music scene. As the chart celebrates its 15th anniversary, it remains a vital platform for recognizing the achievements of artists like Zack Knight, Arijit Singh, and others who are shaping the future of music.
