Latest news with #PunjabiMusic
National Post
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- National Post
ACISA Is Celebrating 10 Years of Vibrant Brampton SummerFest in Style With Prominent Bollywood and Popular Punjabi Artists
Article content Article content Punjabi and Bollywood Stars like Miss Pooja, Zora Randhawa, Ananya Chakraborty, and Amanat Ali are performing at Brampton's most loved music & dance festival – VIBRANT BRAMPTON SUMMERFEST! Article content BRAMPTON, Ontario — Downtown Brampton is all set to come alive to the dazzling sights and sounds of the very spirited South Asian culture. Vibrant Brampton is celebrating their 10 th year Summer festival on July 18 and 19. Organized by the non-profit group Arts and Culture Initiative of South Asia (ACISA), the 10 th annual Vibrant Brampton SummerFest presented by TD in association with WOW Mobile Boutique will bring a fun-filled outdoor family festival to Gage Park in Brampton. Article content The two-day FREE outdoor festival will kick off on July 18, with an international Punjabi singer, Miss Pooja, popularly known as 'Queen of Bhangra' promising to make you sway to the Punjabi music. A Guinness Book of World Record holder, Miss Pooja has over 4500 songs and over 350 albums to her credit. Some of her blockbusters 'Siti Mar Ke ', 'Nakhreya Mari', 'Aashiq' 'Sohnea' and 'Second Hand Jawani' from the Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan movie Cocktail will be some of her many numbers to be featured at the festival. Punjabi youth sensation Zora Randhawa, who has super hit numbers like 'Woofer', 'Inch', and 'Wonderland' will also co-headline the same day along with Punjabi power couple duo Preet Brar and Kamal Brar. Over 50 local GTA artists will also perform on the opening day of the festival. Article content The finale of the outdoor festival on July 19 promises to bring an eclectic mix of programming that will include high-energy performances by multiple Bollywood Playback Singers, including Ananya Chakraborty, the finalist of ZEE Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. For Pakistani music lovers, there's another feast – Amanat Ali, who has lent his voice for the famous movie 'Dostana' featuring Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, and Abhishek Bachchan. He also has notable appearances on the prestigious platform of Coke Studio Pakistan. Article content Bengali music lovers have Sanchita Bhattacharya from Kolkata, India to captivate the audience with her melodious voice. The Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs winner has grown up to become this musical force, all set to light up the centre stage on the 2 nd day of the festival. Article content In addition to Punjabi and Bollywood celebrities, there will be a Gujarati 'Garba' segment headlined by none other than Pramesh Nandi, also known as the Garba King of Canada. According to the curators of the festival, Ricky Bajaj, Sandeep Prabhakar, and Arpan Banerjee, over 150 Canadian and international artists are being featured in the 10 th edition of the festival. Article content Families are in for a treat at this year's festival! The KIDZ ZONE offers a range of interactive and immersive activities designed especially for children and youth, including the ever-popular free face painting and Community Arts Project, available on both days. To engage attendees of all ages, the festival also features free hands-on dance workshops in Bollywood, Bhangra, and Salsa. Food lovers can explore the Food Bazaar, serving over 100 mouthwatering dishes from local vendors and restaurants. Meanwhile, shoppers can browse the MEGAMART, showcasing local artisans selling clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, and unique gifts. Best of all, admission and parking are completely free! Article content The festival is presented by TD Bank in association with WOW Mobile Boutique, supported by a host of sponsors including Scotties Face Tissues, Lazeez Shawarma, and CAD Immigration. 2025 funders include the City of Brampton, Canadian Heritage, Ontario Arts Council, and Celebrate Ontario. Article content ACISA, as a non-profit group, also hosts annual Visual Arts of South Asia (V.A.S.A) arts festival – for visual art lovers, ROOT'D Fest – a unique modern music festival catering to Millennials and Gen Z. Article content Festival Schedule at a Glance: Article content July 17: 6 pm – 10 pm: Article content Greet & Meet Gala & Press conference @ Queen's Manor Event Centre. Article content July 18: 5 pm – 10 pm: Article content Watch Miss Pooja, Zora Randhawa, Preet Brar and Kamal Brar, and over 50 other artists perform live at the FREE Outdoor Festival @ Gage Park, Brampton. Enjoy scrumptious food, interactive Article content Kidz Zone Article content , explore Brampton, and shop local. Article content July 19: 10 am – 10 pm: Article content Watch Ananya Chakraborty, Amanat Ali, Sanchita Bhattacharya, Pramesh Nandi, and 100 Canadian artists perform live at the FREE Outdoor Festival @ Gage park, Brampton. Enjoy delicious food, interactive Article content Kidz Zone Article content , explore Brampton, and shop local. Article content Learn more at ABOUT ACISA The Arts & Culture Initiative of South Asia (ACISA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding by bringing diverse communities together to celebrate life, culture, art, and tradition. Article content ACISA's mission is to highlight the richness and diversity of South Asian art forms by showcasing local talent and providing artists with a platform to reach broader audiences. The organization aims to break cultural barriers, foster participation from all communities across Canada, and create opportunities for people to experience the many facets of South Asian arts and culture. By showcasing a heritage that continues to evolve while embracing Canadian values, ACISA promotes the philosophy of diversity and inclusion throughout Brampton and beyond. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content Laura Jackman Article content Email: Article content
RNZ News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Loud and proud: Inside NZ's infectious Punjabi music scene
Punjabi pop and hip hop are gaining momentum in New Zealand, with a new generation of artists fusing global beats with South Asian heritage to connect with increasingly diverse audiences. High-energy beats, bilingual lyrics and references to cities, cars and designer labels have become hallmarks of this fast-growing genre. However, the movement means more than just music - it also inspires visibility, representation and finding a cultural voice. Diljit Dosanjh performs at Coachella in 2023. Photo: AFP / MATT WINKELMEYER The genre's momentum has been boosted globally by Indian singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh, who in 2023 became the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella. In May, Dosanjh made his Met Gala debut dressed in regal attire inspired by a 20th-century Indian maharaja, signalling just how far Punjabi music has travelled beyond its traditional spaces. The growing recognition has inspired a new generation of Punjabi musicians in New Zealand. Today, young artists, many born or raised in New Zealand, have been mixing hip hop, bhangra, Punjabi rap and reggae with Punjabi lyrics and beats, creating a fresh hybrid sound that reflects their bicultural lives. Auckland musician Lovepreet Brar, better known as Love Brar, is among the most recognisable names on the local scene. With more than 74 million views on YouTube and over 200,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, Brar has carved out a space in New Zealand's evolving Punjabi music community. Lovepreet Brar's music videos have garnered more than 74 million views on YouTube. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Brar moved from Punjab to New Zealand in 2010 as an international student. However, his journey has not been without setbacks. In 2018, he was sentenced to 11 months of home detention after being convicted over a driver's licence bribery scandal while working for the Automobile Association. "I can say that was the biggest mistake of my life," Brar said. "I've paid the price and I've moved on." The incident damaged his reputation, particularly within New Zealand's tight-knit Punjabi community. "People judge you, and there's nothing you can do about that," he said. "But some of the seniors in the community understood me and supported me." Since then, Brar has slowly rebuilt his career. His 2023 single Putt Begaane has racked up more than 30 million views on YouTube. Brar's not alone. A growing number of artists have been exploring Punjabi music, making space for it in New Zealand. "I was a courier driver delivering parcels and one day I saw musical instruments in a house I delivered to," said Yogesh Rai, better known as Yogi. "I started chatting with the owner, and he asked me to come record a few songs - and I did. And here we are." Yogesh Rai, also known as Yogi, is originally from Punjab. Photo: Big Shot Vibes Originally from Punjab, Rai moved to New Zealand 12 years ago. He has since released several songs and recently received NZ On Air Pan-Asian music funding for his upcoming single Billiyian Akhiyan . The $11,000 grant included support for recording, video content and promotion. "I've always been writing songs but never released any because I never saw the industry big enough for someone like me to build a career on," Rai said. His music caught the attention of Big Shot Vibes, a New Zealand-based label and film production house, during a house party. "They gave me a platform. I re-recorded and released my songs - and, to my surprise, the response was great," he said. "At Big Shot Vibes, we're all about amplifying voices that don't always get the mic. It's time for more producers and platforms to do the same," said Priya Bhardwaj, Big Shot Vibes' business manager. "If we truly want a music landscape that reflects the world we live in, we need to make room for new perspectives," she said. However, Rai said the industry was still fragmented. "People are scattered and nobody knows nobody," he said. Rai said there was plenty of room for the scene to grow, with artists aiming at the local market as well as the global Punjabi diaspora, including audiences in India. Bobby Sing released his first single in 2024. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Bobby Singh, who released his first track last year, agreed the local scene remained underdeveloped. "I was born in Haryana, India, but we moved here when I was 6," he said. "I used to sing religious songs at the gurdwara - that's what got me into singing." Singh said it was difficult to find producers in New Zealand who understood the Punjabi sound. "It's really difficult to find good music producers who could help you understand the Punjabi scene," he said. "I'm currently working with producers in the UK and Italy." He hoped the local industry matured enough for musicians to record and produce professionally in New Zealand. Monetising music was another major hurdle. "No one's really making a lot of money out of this," Singh said. "It takes a lot of time, and you need to spend big." Brar echoed that concern. "The more you spend, the more quality you get in music and videos and, of course, more views," he said. "But singers in New Zealand have to spend money from their own pocket, and that's stopping many from getting their music out. Finding a producer is still hard." Kashish Sharma, an Auckland-based vocalist and producer who works primarily in Punjabi and Hindi music, also started out with limited resources. "It was a bit of a struggle to find music producers in Auckland, so I started learning production myself," Sharma said. "I began with a basic setup in 2018. Now I'm a fully-fledged producer, handling everything from recording to mastering and distribution." Kashish Sharma is a music producer and vocalist based in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Sharma, who releases music under the name Kashi, saw potential in the local scene. "Punjabi music has grown worldwide hugely in the last few years, and I think it motivates young artists to start something of their own," he said. "The community here is big - and I've seen Punjabi musicians come from overseas and fill seats in arenas. So, yeah, there's definitely interest and the community is getting bigger." According to the 2023 Census, the Indian community is now New Zealand's third-largest ethnic group, with 292,092 people - around 5.8 percent of the population - claiming Indian heritage. Nearly 16.4 percent of that group speaks Punjabi, now the fastest-growing language in New Zealand. Between 2018 and 2023, the number of Punjabi speakers rose 45.1 percent, with 49,656 people reporting it as a language spoken at home. Despite that growth, Sharma said the music scene remained small. "There are not many projects, so I can't make this a full-time job," he said, noting he also works as a project manager. "But it works for me because I make my own music." Yogesh Rai has released several songs since moving to New Zealand 12 years ago. Photo: RNZ / Yiting Lin Others said community support was essential if the scene was to thrive. "The community here loves to bring artists from overseas, spending so much money," Rai said. "On the other hand, they could also support the artists who are already here." Singh agreed. "There's a lot of talent here," he said. "People here make a whole lot better music than whoever it is but, yeah, New Zealand needs to support that a bit more."
CBC
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
The first-ever course on Punjabi music is coming to Canada
The TMU course will be mostly devoted to the Indian singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh Students at Toronto Metropolitan University will have the chance to learn more about the growth of Punjabi music next fall. A new course will mainly focus on Diljit Dosanjh, an Indian singer, actor and film producer who works in Punjabi and Hindi cinema. He has more than 14 studio albums and 50 songs under his belt, and was the first Punjabi artist to play at Coachella in 2023. Last year, he broke a world record by giving the biggest concert by a Punjabi artist outside India, which was held in Vancouver, with over 55,000 tickets sold. This year, he became the first Punjabi artist to attend the Met Gala. Charlie Wall-Andrews, assistant professor in creative industries at TMU, says Dosanjh is a perfect case study for understanding the rise of Punjabi music worldwide. "He elevated the genre and the culture on a global scale. He's truly such a trailblazer for helping Punjabi music rise," said Wall-Andrews. In the course, students will explore the branding, marketing and touring strategies that led to Dosanjh's success. The course will also delve into the origins of Punjabi music. "Looking at things like oral traditions, post-colonial legacies, early icons. We'll also look at how music is a form of protest, resistance and how censorship has occurred," said Wall-Andrews. Embracing a different route to success Apart from studying Dosanjh's career, the course also aims to highlight the exponential growth of Punjabi music worldwide. "It's not unusual that universities offer elective courses pertaining to certain superstars. We've seen many schools in the U.S. offer courses on Taylor Swift or Beyoncé," said Wall-Andrews. "Given Canada's diversity, this seemed like a different take on a superstar that isn't from the Western world, per se." [Dosanjh] hasn't adapted to the industry, the industry has adapted to him. - Mo Ghoneim, Billboard Canada president Mo Ghoneim, president of Billboard Canada, thinks that by studying Dosanjh, students can learn more about alternative routes to success. "Diljit has really shifted the centre of gravity without diluting who he is. He built a global fan base rooted in his culture first, and then the West came to him. So, he hasn't adapted to the industry, the industry has adapted to him," said Ghoneim. Wall-Andrews hopes that students who take the class will learn to embrace their authenticity. "It should encourage people to tap into their own identity and their own community, because people want to be able to see themselves in the culture," said Wall-Andrews. "It can turn into sustainable business opportunities that have enormous cultural and economic impact." An accomplishment for the community Manveer Singh, a fourth-year professional music student at TMU and Punjabi music producer, feels inspired by the announcement of the new course. "It just feels like a big achievement. Our people are making it," said Singh, who plans to take the course next year if he has the opportunity. He also agrees with his school's choice to profile Dosanjh. "Every person that grew up in a Punjabi household knows him. When you think of a Punjabi artist, you think of Diljit Dosanjh. He is one of the greatest artists of all time," said Singh.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Shubh Speaks: The First Interview with Punjabi Music's Fastest Rising Star
Shubh's rise has happened faster than he could have ever expected. In a quiet moment, Shubh softly remarks in Punjabi, 'I didn't think I would ever chart.' He's done more than that. The 27-year-old Brampton, Ontario-based Punjabi artist has become one of the most talked-about names in global music, amassing over 3 billion total streams across platforms, a fiercely loyal fanbase and a debut North American tour on the horizon, including arena dates in Oakland, Vancouver and Toronto. That's all without a label or a single dollar spent on ads. More from Billboard Rachel Zegler Serenades Crowd Outside Theater for Free in a New London Production of 'Evita' Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis to Receive Vanguard Award at The Guitar Center Music Foundation Gala & Benefit Concert Shakira Announces Two More Dates in Mexico, Extending Record to 28 Around him, a pair of his close friends and Brampton housemates, Prince and Vicky, and his longtime manager, Shivam Malhotra, lean in, smiling – not just because the comment is modest, but because the reality couldn't be more different. This is his first interview. It's the first time he's publicly reflecting on a journey that, in just a few years, has taken him from scribbling verses in a notebook to performing on arena stages across North America. His breakthrough came when his debut album, Still Rollin, debuted at No. 16 on the Billboard Canadian Albums Chart in June 2023 and his sophomore album, Sicario, entered the Top 25 at No. 24 in January 2025. When he speaks to Billboard Canada, his single 'Supreme' is making a splash on the Billboard Canadian Hot 100 chart following a No. 13 debut for the 2024 single 'King Shit.' But today, Shubh isn't on stage, thinking about charts, or in the recording studio. He's seated calmly at the studio for his first cover shoot for Billboard Canada, surrounded by the same team that's been with him since day one. He answers slowly and thoughtfully, sometimes in Punjabi and sometimes in English. His friends and manager step in to help translate and interpret, not because he can't speak the language, but because he's never done this before and wants to express his clearest feelings. Long before his tracks topped charts or racked up hundreds of millions of streams, Shubh was just a teenager filling notebooks with verses. 'I started writing when I was really young,' he recalls. 'I've been writing for 12 to 13 years. I've always carried notebooks – almost like diaries – and that writing became the foundation of everything.' At the time, music wasn't a professional ambition for Shubh. It was an outlet, a private ritual shaped by observation, emotion and self-reflection. Today, that introspective process has evolved into a discography that's earned him billions of streams, including nearly 400 million streams for his breakout single 'No Love' and over 370 million for 'Cheques.' More than ten years later, that habit hasn't faded. He still carries notebooks and pens wherever he goes, staying connected to the handwritten process that shaped his earliest songs. To this day, all of his songs begin on paper first. Shubh's path to this moment didn't follow a script of a typical success story. He didn't go chasing viral fame or visibility. In fact, much like fellow Toronto artist The Weeknd, he kept his face and his identity hidden in the early stages, letting the music speak entirely for itself. There were no flashy rollouts or trend-driven moves. Instead, he spent those years in quiet focus, writing relentlessly, experimenting with sounds and perfecting each track in solitude. 'My aim wasn't attention, it was precision,' the singer says. Much of that focus and clarity comes from where it all began. Growing up in Punjab, Shubh was surrounded by music at home, often hearing his father sing during family gatherings or daily routines. His father and older brother (Ravneet Singh, a well-known actor and singer) have been his biggest inspirations. They're still in India, and he carries those memories with him everywhere. It's that sense of home, that emotional imprint from his upbringing, that continues to drive him. It's the quiet force behind the fire in his work. In 2014, Shubh moved to Canada to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Sheridan College. 'I came here as a student on a study visa,' he says. The early days weren't easy. 'I was a little bit nervous.' Like many international students, he juggled homesickness, new responsibilities and the weight of starting over. Music wasn't the goal then. It was more of a quiet companion. It wasn't until 2021 that he decided to release his first song. His debut track 'We Rollin' dropped without a music video and no press push. He didn't even show his whole face, wearing a scarf over his nose and mouth. He wanted his music to reach people first. And it did. Within weeks, the song was blowing up globally, with fans reaching out from countries like Japan and across Latin America. Now, 'We Rollin' has surpassed 265 million views on YouTube alone, becoming the spark that launched Shubh into international recognition. That initial wave of love changed everything. 'That first song made me realize something special was happening.' But Shubh didn't run to capitalize on it. He stayed in the studio, quietly focused on making better songs. 'Sometimes I take two to three months to make just one song,' he explains. 'He gets into that shell, and he only comes out when it's ready,' the artist's manager Malhotra explains. For instance, the mixing process for his 2022 single 'Baller,' one of his most iconic tracks, was so intense, it reached 29 versions before he was ready to put it out. 'We did 28 mixes,' Shubh says, cracking a rare smile. 'The 29th was okay, I guess. I still didn't like it.' He only released it, he adds, because 'deadlines' forced his hand. Shubh puts his music through a rigorous test. He listens to each track hundreds of times. If he's still not tired of it after 200 plays, that's when he knows it's ready for the world. 'Some of his songs average eight streams per user on Spotify,' Malhotra points out. 'The industry standard is two or three – that's more than double. It shows people aren't just listening once, they're coming back again and again.' But it's not just the replay value that sets him apart. Shubh isn't just focused on lyrics and production. He's also expanding the vocabulary of Punjabi music. 'Every time, I try to bring something fresh,' he says. A clear example is 'One Love,' a reggae-leaning track inspired by Bob Marley's legacy. 'I used to listen to Bob Marley. Yeah, big Marley fan,' he says. The track, which dropped without a music video, has already crossed 400 million streams on Spotify. Next on his radar? 'I think I'll try rock in the next two to three months,' he says. It's not a stretch – he already performs live with a full band and skips backing tracks entirely. 'I don't believe in doing minus,' he says. 'Everything is done live, start to finish.' Musically, Shubh's influences span decades and continents: Eminem, 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent, Dr. Dre. He speaks about them with deep respect, connecting their influence to his own path. Being in Toronto exposed him to global music culture, and Drake – another hometown hero – has had a huge impact. 'I've seen how an entire culture has been built around Drake,' he says. Living in Toronto has helped shape a global sound that can cross borders. Even though Shubh sings in Punjabi, the themes in his music – migration, longing, identity, his journey, perseverance – resonate far beyond the diaspora. 'I write about what it feels like to leave home, move to a new country, and figure things out alone,' he explains. 'It's something a lot of people can relate to.' Fans who don't understand the language still find something real in the flow and production. 'People feel the vibe.' He's incredibly selective about what he puts out. No matter how polished a track is, if it doesn't sit right with him, he won't release it. That personal compass is why Shubh's fans trust him. 'For me, my fans are like family,' he says. 'I reply to them online. I see everything.' Despite avoiding public events and the spotlight, he's always connected, just on his own terms. 'Shubh has never spent a dollar on ads or marketing,' Malhotra says. 'Everything has grown organically.' Now, he's preparing for his first North American tour, and he's skipping the usual small venues to perform in massive arenas. 'I never expected this,' he admits. 'But I'm very happy that we're performing in arenas.' The first venue? Oakland Arena on August 22, followed by Rogers Arena in Vancouver on August 23, and then Scotiabank Arena on September 5, where some of his heroes, including Eminem, have performed. He finishes the tour at the Prudential Center in New Jersey on September 7. Shubh had never even been to a concert before stepping on stage for his sold-out show at Indigo at the O2 in London in 2023. 'My voice was shaking,' he remembers. 'I was very hyped up, but it also humbled me down.' The surreal experience of performing live for the first time, without ever having seen a show from the audience's side, marked a memorable moment in his journey. He was supposed to go on a 2023 tour of India, but it was cancelled after backlash against a social media post he felt was politically misinterpreted. At the time, Shubh called the cancelled shows 'disheartening,' and he's been conceptualizing how to make his concerts even stronger since. A short tour in Australia and New Zealand the same year brought him to major venues – something he's looking to build on in Canada and the U.S. Now that he's ready to embark on his first North American tour, he's been putting serious thought into every detail of his live shows: stage setup, sound, lighting, all of it. 'I'm building something really special,' he says. 'It's never been done before in our scene.' The tour is a statement. As an independent artist, he wants to pave the way for others. 'If I can buy a beat for $80 and get 300 million streams out of it, I believe anyone can do it,' Shubh says simply. Now, Shubh already has his sights set even higher. 'After this, I want to go to stadiums,' he says. 'Then, I want to pack entire cities. That's the vision.' It's clear he's already thinking well beyond the present. Not because he's in a hurry, but because he knows where this could go. He's seen what happens when you lead your life creatively and with sincerity. He's living proof that letting the music take center stage can open doors. One phrase he keeps returning to during the conversation is simple but powerful: 'keep trying, keep hustling, be consistent.' As he puts it, 'If you bring honesty to your work, anything is possible.' This Billboard Canada cover story originally appeared on Billboard Canada. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
India Today
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Emiway Bantai gets death threat days after Moosewala tribute
Three years after Sidhu Moosewala's assassination, rapper Emiway Bantai receives a chilling threat and ₹1 crore ransom after posting a tribute. Is this the gang's latest target? #SidhuMoosewala #EmiwayBantai #GoldyBrar #GangThreat #PunjabiMusic #IndiaNews #MusicIndustry #MoosewalaTribute
