Author: Katherine Singh

With a surge in the popularity of Desi music across North America and new awards recognition, these are the musicians who should be on your radar

Words By Katherine Singh

Culture Entertainment

These Desi Musicians Are Defining Indo-Canadian Music

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.

Jazzy B, prominent Indo-Canadian musician, performing with a microphone, wearing sunglasses and a stylish black blazer, against a vibrant orange background, symbolizing his influence in Desi music.

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).

AP Dhillon performing on stage with a microphone, wearing a stylish black and orange jersey, smiling against a vibrant red background, representing the rise of Desi music in North America.

In March 2023, Dhillon made headlines at the Juno Awards when he became the first everrnact 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)

Toronto-born producer Ikky wearing a white turban and denim jacket, against a vibrant orange background, representing the contemporary Indo-Canadian music scene.

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).

Young male artist with short hair wearing a white shirt, posing against a vibrant red background, representing the new wave of Indo-Canadian music, highlighting cultural identity and contemporary style.

Gurinder Singh Gill (GG) is relatively new to the musicrnscene, releasing his first singlesrnin 2019. In the same year, he co-founded Run-Up Records. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram).

Man wearing an orange jacket and blue turban against a vibrant red background, representing contemporary Indo-Canadian music culture.

Sidhu Moose Wala

Before his murder in 2022, Moose Wala was one of the biggest contemporary names in the Indo-Canadian music scene. The starrnemerged in Canada in 2016 andrnpopularized rap in rural areas of the Punjab, speaking to the realityrnof life in the region. (Photo: Courtesy of Instagram).

Man wearing a Burberry bucket hat and a black t-shirt, showcasing a silver necklace, against a vibrant orange background, representing contemporary fashion in the Indo-Canadian music scene.

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).

Gurinder Singh Gill performing on stage, wearing a white jacket, holding a microphone, with a vibrant red background, representing the rise of Indo-Canadian music.

With over 9.2 million followers onrnInstagram, 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).

Art/Culture/Identity/Music