Desi music is surging around the world, and especially in North America. (Canada is #3 of the top five countries streaming this genre outside of South Asia.) Some of this can be explained by demographic changes, but it also speaks to the great art Indo-Canadian musicians are producing—which is why we’re glad to see the industry is finally taking note. This year, the Juno Awards will recognize Desi artists with a new South Asian Music Recording of the Year category. Just getting caught up? Here are the major players you need to know.
The father of Indo-Canadian music, Punjab-born Jaswinder Singh Bains (a.k.a. Jazzy B) started his career in 1993 with the release of Gugiyan Da Jora. Since then, the artist’s music has appeared in films like 2020’s Jawaani Jaaneman, with many young Punjabi-Canadian singers crediting him as one of their major influences growing up. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram).
Jazzy B
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In March 2023, Dhillon made headlines at the Juno Awards when he became the first ever act to perform entirely in Punjabi in the show’s over 60-year history. A year later, in 2024, he did the same at Coachella. He’s collaborated with artists like British rapper Stormzy. (Photo: Getty)
AP Dhillon
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Toronto-born-and-raised producer Ikwinder Singh (Ikky) has collabed with and produced for some of the biggest names both in and outside of Desi music (like rapper Tory Lanez). In 2021, he launched his own label, 4N Records. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram).
Ikky
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Gurinder Singh Gill (GG) is relatively new to the music scene, releasing his first singles in 2019. In the same year, he co-founded Run-Up Records. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram).
GG
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Before his murder in 2022, Moose Wala was one of the biggest contemporary names in the Indo-Canadian music scene. The star emerged in Canada in 2016 and popularized rap in rural areas of the Punjab, speaking to the reality of life in the region. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram).
Sidhu Moose Wala
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In February 2024, this Mississauga rapper debuted a posthumous single with Moose Wala. The rapper has a fashion line called Paisley. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram).
AR Paisley
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With over 9.2 million followers on Instagram, Karan Aujla is best known for music that blends hip-hop and bhangra (a type of traditional folk dance that hails from the Punjab area of India), cemented by his 2023 hit “Softly.” (Photo: Getty).
Karan Aujla
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