Tag: Punjabi 101

Karan Aujla and Ikky Talk Turning Punjabi Beats Into Global Hits

October 9, 2025

From its vibrant Indian origin to playlists spanning the globe, Punjabi music is having a moment. Today in India, it stands among the most-streamed music languages on Spotify, alongside Hindi and English. But its reach extends beyond borders, captivating fans worldwide with its high-energy beats and unmistakable vibes.

One of the artists at the forefront of this movement is Karan Aujla. His latest album, P-POP CULTURE, made an immediate impact, rocketing to No. 1 on Spotify India’s Weekly Top Albums charts its debut week. That same week, both the album and artist broke into Spotify’s global Top 100—the album reaching No. 60, and Karan hitting No. 82. Since its August release, P-POP CULTURE has amassed nearly 200 million streams, with the single “MF Gabhru!” racking up an impressive 38 million.

Fresh off the buzz of his new album, Karan was a natural choice for the cover of Punjabi 101, Spotify’s flagship playlist for the genre. Fans went wild, and streams of the playlist jumped by 21% during his week in the spotlight. Over the past year, Punjabi 101 has featured a wider range of emerging artists, reflecting Spotify’s commitment to spotlighting both established and rising Punjabi voices.

While most of Karan’s fans are in India, where he ranks among the top 10 most popular artists on Spotify, his reach is global. From his current home in Canada to the UK, Pakistan, the US, Australia, and the UAE, he’s cultivated an audience of more than 21 million followers to date.

But like most artists, Karan isn’t crafting these hits alone. Canadian Punjabi musician and producer Ikky has been right by his side, producing both P-POP CULTURE and Karan’s 2023 album, Making Memories. Ikky himself is one of the biggest names in Punjabi music today, having collaborated with popular Punjabi artists like Diljit Dosanjh, Sidhu Moose Wala, and Shubh.

For the Record recently caught up with Karan and Ikky to delve into the global rise of Punjabi music, the creative process behind P-POP CULTURE, and their exciting vision for the genre’s future. 

Your album, P-POP CULTURE, has clearly amplified Punjabi music’s global moment. What do you think is fueling this worldwide excitement for the genre?

Karan Aujla: It’s the energy and emotion. Punjabi music tells real stories about love, struggle, and ambition. People feel that no matter where they’re from.

Ikky: And sonically, we’re blending traditional sounds with global influences—hip-hop, R&B, dancehall. That fusion makes it relatable worldwide.

How do you stay rooted in Punjabi culture while making music that feels fresh?

Karan: I stay true to my roots lyrically, but I experiment with global sounds. That mix keeps it authentic and current.

Ikky, you’re a leading voice for Punjabi music in Canada. How has your upbringing shaped your sound?

Ikky: Growing up in Toronto, I was exposed to Punjabi music at home and hip-hop and R&B on the streets. That blend naturally comes through in my production.

Are there any countries or cities where the response to Punjabi music has surprised you?

Karan: For sure. It’s amazing to see packed shows in places like Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The fans there go hard.

Ikky: Same here. It’s crazy to see people singing along word for word in cities we never expected. The reach is unreal.

Karan, a significant portion of your fan base on Spotify is under 35. Why do you think your music resonates so strongly with Gen Z and millennials?

Karan: I keep it real. Young people today want honesty, and I talk about things they’re living; the hustle, love, and pain. And I’m always evolving that sound.

Looking ahead, what are your hopes for Punjabi music globally?

Ikky: I want to see it treated like any other global genre on the biggest stages and in major collabs. We’re just getting started.

 Ready to dive into the world of Punjabi beats? Stream P-POP CULTURE on Spotify.

‘Wakhra Swag’ – Tracing the Global Rise of Punjabi Pop

April 6, 2021

From the pind (village) to pan-India, and from there the world, Punjabi music has seen a meteoric rise, capturing the imagination—and dance moves—of millions. From swagger-filled lyrics and globally-inspired sound production, to banging beats and mega-budget music videos, Punjabi Pop has grown into a larger-than-life celebration of cultural moments that is driving a whole new generation of fans and artists.

Global growth

The essence of Punjabi Pop can be traced back to its humble beginnings as an independent genre in the late 1950s. It has since grown from classical folk Punjabi songs, where poets and singers composed ballads, to a multi-million dollar industry. In fact, by 2018, it was almost five times the size of India’s Telugu music industry, the second-largest in the country’s regional music market.

It was in the 1990s that Punjabi Pop garnered mainstream prominence as iconic artists like Daler Mehndi, Gurdas Maan, Bally Sagoo, and Malkit Singh ruled music charts, producing singles and albums that have gained cult status today. 

Then, in the 2000s, the genre’s talent truly took center stage. These years saw the rise of Punjabi Pop artists Jay Sean, Dr Zeus, Miss Pooja, Panjabi MC, Juggy D, Jazzy B, and more.  The global contribution of Punjabi Pop is exemplified in the mash-up of “Mundian To Bach Ke” by Panjabi MC featuring Jay-Z. The original track, produced in the late ’90s, shot to global fame when it caught Jay-Z’s eye and was later re-released as a remixed single in 2003.

The 2010s saw the true globalization of Punjabi Pop, taking the Indian music industry into overdrive. By the end of the decade, a reported 20 songs were written, composed, recorded, and released, every day. From household names to global stars, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Diljit Dosanjh, Guru Randhawa, Hard Kaur, B Praak, Jassie Gill, Garry Sandhu, and Jasmine Sandlas, among many others, defined this decade.

Punjabi music has continued to grow in popularity among global listeners, and there are now several emerging Punjabi artists across the UK, the U.S., and Canada. Fusion music, remixed classics, and crossovers have gained immense popularity and great response internationally. 

Punjabi Pop is currently the highest performing genre for Punjabi music on Spotify, and in 2020, Punjabi Pop was the sixth-most consumed genre on the platform in India. Even the top 10 most-streamed Punjabi tracks featured Punjabi Pop—in addition to Punjabi Hip Hop and Bhangra.

Discover more

Since its launch two years ago, the Punjabi 101 editorial playlist on Spotify helps listeners discover the best Punjabi songs to stream. It’s grown significantly in this short time, with more than 300,000 followers to-date.

Want to learn more? To celebrate the genre’s vibrant journey and the artists who made it happen, Spotify recently launched a microsite where you can discover even more playlists and delve deeper into the genre’s artists. You can visit it here.