Afghan Pop music has been more successful than most other music genres, primarily because of its similarity to traditional Afghan music forms. The traditional aspects of Afghan music is preserved through the Dari and Pashto poetry and through the use of traditional instruments, particularly the rubab, dhol, tabla, and harmonium. Folk songs are revived and given a modern twist with the use of Western instruments, like the guitar and western drums, as well as, synthesizers. Bollywood music has also heavily influenced modern Afghan pop because several of the new generation musicians studied music in India.
 

Farhad Darya, Shafiq Mureed, and Seeta Qasemi are among the most popular contemporary musicians, with Farhad Darya being the most significant musical figure in modern Afghan musical culture. Darya endorses music as a medium of unity among different ethnic groups within Afghanistan. He participates in humanitarian work for Afghanistan, practically with feminist movements and promoting upcoming Afghan artists, practically artists associated with genres that struggle to emerge in conservative political and social environments like hip-hop and rock.
 

Ahmad Zahir is the most popular musician in Afghanistan. Ahmad Zahir was an artists in the 1960s and 1970s, and was considers the “Afghan Elvis.” Zahir’s music incites nostaligia, especially in individuals who remember a much happier and safer period in Afghanistan. Many contemporary pop artists record covers of Zahir’s songs or refer to him or his musical style in their songs.